Mont. Code Ann. § 41-3-440

Except as provided in 41-3-301 (1) and in the absence of a dispute between the parties to the action regarding the appropriate placement, the department shall determine, in accordance with 41-3-450 and 41-3-451, the appropriate placement for a child alleged to be or adjudicated as a youth in need of care. The court shall settle any dispute between the parties to an action regarding the appropriate placement. The child may not be placed in a youth assessment center, youth detention facility, detention center, or other facility intended or used for the confinement of adults or youth accused or convicted of criminal offenses.