Montana legislation · 2025 Regular Session
Montana SB251: Establish confidentiality for child and family ombudsman
Status: Signed into law, April 17, 2025
What the bill says
An act generally revising laws related to the office of the child and family ombudsman; providing that matters under investigation are confidential; and providing disclosure exceptions.
From the engrossed text:
AN ACT GENERALLY REVISING LAWS RELATED TO THE OFFICE OF THE CHILD AND FAMILY OMBUDSMAN; PROVIDING THAT MATTERS UNDER INVESTIGATION ARE CONFIDENTIAL; AND PROVIDING DISCLOSURE EXCEPTIONS. Section 1. Confidentiality -- disclosure exceptions. (1) The office of the child and family ombudsman shall treat all matters under investigation as confidential. Information received, collected, and maintained by the office of the child and family ombudsman may not be disclosed or disseminated except as provided by this part. (2) (a) Records of the office of the child and family ombudsman may be disclosed to a court for in camera inspection if relevant to an issue before the court. Except as provided in subsection (2)(b), the court may permit disclosure in a proceeding if the court finds disclosure to be necessary for the fair resolution of an issue. (b) Except as provided in 41-3-1214, the identity of a person that contacts or files a request for assistance from the ombudsman is confidential. Section 2. Codification instruction. [Section 1] is intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 41, chapter 3, part 12, and the provisions of Title 41, chapter 3, part 12, apply to [section 1]. - END - - 1 - Authorized Print Version - SB 251 ENROLLED BILL I hereby certify that the within bill, SB 251, originated in the …
Sponsors
- Lenz, Dennis (R, 25) · primary sponsor
- Nelson, Terry (R, 87)
Latest actions
- : Chapter Number Assigned
- : (S) Signed by Governor
- : (S) Transmitted to Governor
- : (H) Signed by Speaker
- : (S) Signed by President
- : (S) Returned from Enrolling
- : (S) Sent to Enrolling
- : (H) 3rd Reading
- : (H) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
- : (H) 2nd Reading
Votes
- Do Concur (March 26, 2025): 98 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Do Concur (March 25, 2025): 98 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Do Pass (February 26, 2025): 49 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Do Pass (February 25, 2025): 48 yea, 1 nay, passed
Subjects: Minors, Family Law
Common questions
- What is SB251?
- SB251 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Establish confidentiality for child and family ombudsman.
- What does SB251 do?
- In its own words: An act generally revising laws related to the office of the child and family ombudsman; providing that matters under investigation are confidential; and providing disclosure exceptions.
- What is the status of SB251?
- Signed into law as of April 17, 2025. Latest action: Chapter Number Assigned (April 17, 2025).
- Who sponsored SB251?
- Lenz, Dennis (R, 25), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for SB251?
- On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC0573
Source: official Montana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.