MT SJ36

Requests the Legislative Council to designate an interim committee to study standardization of prosecution practices in dependent neglect and child abuse cases across Montana's judicial districts

Evaluates the feasibility of expanding the Department of Justice's Child Protection Unit to handle all dependent neglect and child abuse cases statewide, rather than the current limited jurisdiction

Examines coordination between the Department of Justice's Child Protection Unit and the Department of Public Health and Human Services' Child and Family Services Division

Study must be completed by September 15, 2026, with final results reported to the 70th Legislature

Addresses current inconsistencies in prosecution, noting that statewide defense standards exist through the Office of the State Public Defender but no equivalent prosecution standards are in place