The bill allows the Department of Corrections to appoint criminal investigators to investigate alleged criminal violations involving offenders in secure facilities or by employees of such facilities. The director of the Department of Corrections is granted the authority to appoint these investigators, who must possess relevant experience and meet specific qualifications outlined in existing law. Additionally, if a violation occurs outside the jurisdiction of secure facilities, the appointed investigator must obtain authorization from the local county sheriff to proceed with the investigation.

The bill also amends Section 7-32-303 of the Montana Code Annotated to include "department of corrections criminal investigator" in the definition of "peace officer." This inclusion ensures that the newly appointed criminal investigators are subject to the same employment, education, and certification standards as other peace officers in the state. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage and approval.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 7-32-303