Bill > SB250

This bill strengthens the Office of the Child and Family Ombudsman by expanding its personnel, responsibilities, and oversight capabilities. The legislation adds six new staff members to the office, including two intake and outreach specialists, two associate ombudsmen, and two research and data analysts. The bill enhances the ombudsman's duties by requiring timely responses to individuals seeking assistance, mandating active efforts to resolve issues, and establishing new reporting mechanisms. Specifically, the ombudsman must now forward reports of misconduct by child protection specialists to the Department of Justice for special prosecutor review and to the Department for policy violation investigations. The bill also maintains the ombudsman's existing responsibilities of investigating administrative acts, reviewing child protective services, and providing systemic recommendations to improve child welfare practices. Additionally, the legislation repeals a previous section related to privilege, potentially increasing transparency in the ombudsman's work. These changes aim to improve oversight, accountability, and responsiveness in child protective services by empowering the ombudsman's office with more resources and clearer investigative powers.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC0572