This bill revises Montana's laws concerning child abuse and neglect investigations by introducing new requirements for child protection specialists. It mandates the use of body cameras during emergency or court-ordered child removals, requiring that these recordings be retained for two years and made available to relevant parties upon request. If a specialist fails to record a removal, the child must be returned to their parent or guardian. Additionally, the bill requires that specialists inform parents or guardians of their rights regarding home entry when no warrant or court order is present.

The legislation also amends existing laws to enhance the confidentiality of case records while allowing for specific disclosures to authorized individuals. It defines exposure to Schedule I or II drugs or drug paraphernalia as child endangerment and outlines the process for releasing records related to sexual abuse allegations, emphasizing victim confidentiality. Furthermore, the bill allocates $100,000 from the general fund for purchasing body cameras and training specialists, with a target completion date of October 1, 2023. Various sections of the bill will take effect as early as July 1, 2023.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 41-3-202, 41-3-205, 41-3-424