Senate Bill No. [insert bill number] seeks to enhance the reporting and response mechanisms for child abuse and neglect in Montana by revising the definition and certification requirements for "public safety communications officer" and establishing new intake procedures for reports. The bill mandates that reports of child abuse and neglect be made directly to public safety communications officers, streamlining the reporting process. It also provides rulemaking authority to ensure effective implementation of these changes and amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA), including the deletion of references to previous laws regarding referrals to county attorneys and the insertion of updated reporting requirements.

Additionally, the bill outlines the responsibilities of public safety communications officers, including the assessment of reports and the transmission of audio recordings to the relevant department. It emphasizes the importance of timely reporting by professionals and establishes guidelines for safety and risk assessments, record retention, and confidentiality. The bill also introduces new rules for the Department of Public Health and Human Services regarding the immediate transmission of reports and modifies existing procedures to protect the identity of reporters. Overall, the bill aims to improve child protection efforts in Montana by enhancing training, streamlining reporting processes, and ensuring timely access to information for legislative oversight.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 5-11-222, 7-31-201, 7-31-203, 41-3-201, 41-3-202, 41-3-205, 41-3-208, 41-3-211, 41-3-212
SB0463_1(1): 5-11-222, 7-31-201, 7-31-203, 41-3-201, 41-3-202, 41-3-205, 41-3-208, 41-3-211, 41-3-212
SB0463_1(2): 5-11-222, 7-31-201, 7-31-203, 41-3-201, 41-3-202, 41-3-205, 41-3-208, 41-3-211, 41-3-212
SB0463_1(3): 5-11-222, 7-31-201, 7-31-203, 41-3-201, 41-3-202, 41-3-205, 41-3-208, 41-3-211, 41-3-212
SB0463_1: 5-11-222, 7-31-201, 7-31-203, 41-3-201, 41-3-202, 41-3-205, 41-3-208, 41-3-211, 41-3-212