The proposed bill establishes a Child Protection Legislative Review Council, composed of eight members from both the House of Representatives and the Senate, to review child protection cases and citizen review panel reports. The council is mandated to meet at least twice a year and produce an annual report detailing its recommendations and responses from relevant departments. Key amendments to the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) enhance confidentiality and access to child protection case records, allowing specific individuals and entities to access these records under defined conditions. Notably, the bill replaces the term "citizen review board" with "citizen review panel," clarifying the disclosure conditions for various stakeholders involved in child welfare.

Additionally, the bill outlines the structure and operation of the newly designated panels, which will serve two-year terms and include provisions for reappointment and leadership elections. It emphasizes the importance of confidentiality, requiring members to sign confidentiality agreements and outlining penalties for violations. The bill also enhances access to records for the council and panels, ensuring they can obtain necessary court and agency records for their reviews. Furthermore, it aims to improve the coordination of services for high-risk children by establishing a committee to pool funding and facilitate multiagency data collection, ultimately enhancing the governance and delivery of integrated services while maintaining the confidentiality and rights of children and families involved.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 41-3-205, 41-3-432, 41-3-445, 41-3-1001, 41-3-1003, 41-3-1004, 41-3-1005, 41-3-1006, 41-3-1007, 41-3-1008, 41-3-1010, 41-3-1011, 41-3-1012, 41-3-1013, 52-2-304