Senate Bill No. [insert bill number] seeks to revise the laws governing Guardian ad Litem and Court-Appointed Special Advocates in Montana, primarily by replacing the term "guardian ad litem" with "special advocate" throughout the legislation. The bill clarifies that funds in the Court-Appointed Special Advocate account are strictly for supporting court-appointed special advocates and cannot be used to compensate attorneys serving in this capacity. It introduces a new definition for "special advocate" and modifies existing definitions related to child welfare, including the definition of "youth in need of care," ensuring that a special advocate is appointed in every judicial proceeding involving allegations of child abuse or neglect.

Additionally, the bill outlines the structure and responsibilities of foster care review committees, emphasizing the need for diverse membership to address the needs of children in foster care. It establishes confidentiality requirements for accessing child records and mandates that specific procedures be followed when disclosing records related to serious allegations. The amendments aim to enhance the child welfare system by clarifying the roles of advocates, ensuring the protection of children's rights, and streamlining legal processes in child welfare cases.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 3-1-707, 41-3-102, 41-3-108, 41-3-112, 41-3-115, 41-3-201, 41-3-205, 41-3-425, 41-3-607, 41-3-1010, 41-3-1012
SB0465_1(1): 3-1-707, 41-3-102, 41-3-108, 41-3-112, 41-3-115, 41-3-201, 41-3-205, 41-3-425, 41-3-607, 41-3-1010, 41-3-1012
SB0465_1(2): 3-1-707, 41-3-102, 41-3-108, 41-3-112, 41-3-115, 41-3-201, 41-3-205, 41-3-425, 41-3-607, 41-3-1010, 41-3-1012
SB0465_1(3): 3-1-707, 41-3-102, 41-3-108, 41-3-112, 41-3-115, 41-3-201, 41-3-205, 41-3-425, 41-3-607, 41-3-1010, 41-3-1012
SB0465_1(4): 3-1-707, 41-3-102, 41-3-108, 41-3-112, 41-3-115, 41-3-201, 41-3-205, 41-3-425, 41-3-607, 41-3-1010, 41-3-1012
SB0465_1: 3-1-707, 41-3-102, 41-3-108, 41-3-112, 41-3-115, 41-3-201, 41-3-205, 41-3-425, 41-3-607, 41-3-1010, 41-3-1012