Signed by Governor Greg Gianforte

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with senate passage and final pass a bill that requires notice of parent's legal rights in child protective services cases.

Highlights:

• Requires the state to tell the parent or guardian on the reasoning for the removal of a child with the following information (Sec. 1). 

• Specific complaining or allegation; 

• The fundamental rights of the parent to direct the upbringing of the child; 

• The right to seek council at any time

• That the parent or legal guardian may forbid entry to the home unless court order specifies otherwise; 

• That the parent is not required to speak to an investigator; and

• That the parent is recording an interaction with department members.

• Requires the department to inform the parents or guardians of their rights when the parent or guardian is filling a complaint of the procedure to file a complaint, the procedure for disclosing records to the legislature, the process of review for the investigation into the allegation, and a timeline for appeals and hearings (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that require notice of parent's legal rights in child protective services cases.

Highlights:

• Requires the state to tell the parent or guardian on the reasoning for the removal of a child with the following information (Sec. 1). 

• Specific complaining or allegation; 

• The fundamental rights of the parent to direct the upbringing of the child; 

• The right to seek council at any time

• That the parent or legal guardian may forbid entry to the home unless court order specifies otherwise; 

• That the parent is not required to speak to an investigator; and

• That the parent is recording an interaction with department members.

• Requires the department to inform the parents or guardians of their rights when the parent or guardian is filling a complaint of the procedure to file a complaint, the procedure for disclosing records to the legislature, the process of review for the investigation into the allegation, and a timeline for appeals and hearings (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text