Bill > SB73

This bill modifies Montana's child protective services laws to enhance procedural protections and communication when children are removed from their homes. The legislation requires that when a child protection specialist, peace officer, or county attorney removes a child from their home due to immediate danger, they must notify the parents or guardians within the placement timeframe, providing detailed information about the reasons for removal, upcoming hearings, contact information for key personnel, and the parents' rights. Additionally, the bill mandates that a copy of this notification must be provided within 24 hours to a prehearing conference facilitator. The bill also establishes that a mandatory prehearing conference must be held within 5 days of a child's removal and before an emergency protective services hearing. This prehearing conference, which should ideally be conducted by an independent trained facilitator, must include the child's parents (or their legal guardian), legal counsel for all parties, a county attorney representative, and a department social worker. The conference's purpose is to discuss the child's current placement, potential in-home safety alternatives, parenting time schedules, and family treatment services. These changes aim to provide more transparency, support, and collaborative problem-solving in child protective services cases.

Health and Social Services

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC0728