House Bill 690 seeks to revise child abuse and neglect laws in Montana by clarifying definitions and enhancing confidentiality provisions related to child welfare records. The bill specifies that the term "abused or neglected" does not encompass children raised in accordance with their biological sex, including decisions regarding mental health or medical care. It also prohibits members of Congress and the Montana Legislature from disclosing information protected by attorney-client privilege while allowing for challenges to the Department's designation of such records. Additionally, the bill outlines the requirements for members to access a child's records, including signing a confidentiality agreement and providing specific information with their request.

The legislation further amends existing definitions related to child welfare, including abandonment, child abuse, and neglect, emphasizing that a parent's religious beliefs regarding healthcare cannot solely result in a finding of neglect. It introduces new terms such as "physical neglect" and "psychological harm to a child," while detailing the role of child protection specialists and the importance of family engagement in treatment planning. The bill also mandates the prompt disclosure of child abuse or neglect records to certain officials upon request, while ensuring that confidentiality is maintained and the identities of reporters are protected. Overall, the revisions aim to provide clearer guidelines for child welfare professionals and safeguard the rights of parents and children.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 41-3-102, 41-3-205
HB0690_1(1): 41-3-102, 41-3-205
HB0690_1(2): 41-3-102, 41-3-205
HB0690_1(3): 41-3-102, 41-3-205
HB0690_1(4): 41-3-102, 41-3-205
HB0690_1(5): 41-3-102, 41-3-205
HB0690_1(6): 41-3-102, 41-3-205
HB0690_1: 41-3-102, 41-3-205
HB0690_X(1): 41-3-102, 41-3-205
HB0690_X(2): 41-3-102, 41-3-205
HB0690_X(3): 41-3-102, 41-3-205
HB0690_X(4): 41-3-102, 41-3-205
HB0690_X(5): 41-3-102, 41-3-205
HB0690_X(6): 41-3-102, 41-3-205
HB0690_X: 41-3-102, 41-3-205