This bill aims to revise the laws governing the Office of the Child and Family Ombudsman in Montana, specifically addressing the issue of retaliatory actions by employees of the Department of Public Health and Human Services against parents, family members, or foster parents. It allows these individuals to submit requests for assistance if they believe they have faced retaliation for advocating for their rights or for cooperating with investigations. The Ombudsman is authorized to investigate such claims and must report findings to the relevant parties, including the district courts. If retaliation is confirmed, affected individuals may initiate civil action within two years of receiving the Ombudsman's report.

Additionally, the bill amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated to enhance the Ombudsman's powers and duties, including the investigation of complaints related to retaliatory actions. It emphasizes the importance of protecting the rights and interests of children and families, and mandates that the Ombudsman provide oversight of child protective services to identify trends and recommend improvements. The bill also includes provisions for notifying tribal governments about its enactment and ensures that findings from the Ombudsman are made available to the courts as part of the official record.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 41-3-1209, 41-3-1211, 41-3-1212, 41-3-1213, 41-3-1215