MT SB367

Requires the Office of the Court Administrator to establish a minimum number of citizen review boards equal to or greater than the number of Department of Public Health and Human Services regional divisions to review foster care cases

Mandates automatic citizen review board appointment when a child is not returned home following a show cause hearing, replacing the previous system where parents could only request a review

Requires citizen review boards to meet at least quarterly and expands board member eligibility from judicial district residents to all state residents

Compels the court to schedule a hearing when the department objects to board recommendations, requiring clear and convincing evidence that the department lacks resources or that recommendations are inappropriate

Repeals the foster care review committee statute (41-3-115) and adds notification requirements informing parents of their right to citizen review board review when served with abuse/neglect petitions