Montana Code 41-3-130. Implementation of certification requirement for child protection specialists
41-3-130. Implementation of certification requirement for child protection specialists. (1) (a) The department shall engage and collaborate with an external organization to develop a child welfare certification and training program, including a competency examination, that must be an ongoing component of the department’s child welfare work.
Terms Used In Montana Code 41-3-130
- Child protection specialist: means an employee of the department who investigates allegations of child abuse, neglect, and endangerment and has been certified pursuant to 41-3-127. See Montana Code 41-3-102
- Department: means the department of public health and human services provided for in 2-15-2201. See Montana Code 41-3-102
- Person: includes a corporation or other entity as well as a natural person. See Montana Code 1-1-201
(b)The program and examination must be reevaluated every 2 years to ensure that they:
(i)reflect current trends, research, and developments in the law; and
(ii)promote evidence-based or evidence-informed practices.
(2)A person hired by the department for a child-facing position after October 1, 2021, shall become a certified child protection specialist pursuant to 41-3-127 through 41-3-130 within 1 year of the date of hire.
(3)A person already employed by the department in a child-facing position before October 1, 2021, shall obtain child protection specialist certification pursuant to 41-3-127 through 41-3-130 by October 1, 2023.
(4)For the purpose of this section, “child-facing position” means an employee role under this chapter that involves regular interaction with minors, including but not limited to investigating reports of child abuse, neglect, or endangerment.