52-2-117. (Temporary) Indian child welfare specialist. (1) The director of the department shall appoint a qualified person to act as an Indian child welfare specialist.
(2) The duties of the specialist include:
(a) developing Indian foster homes and other Indian placement resources;
(b) providing technical advice to tribal, state, and county agencies and district courts on matters pertaining to Indian child welfare;
(c) providing assistance in negotiating cooperative agreements to provide foster care services to Indian children;
(d) conducting training seminars on implementing the federal Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, 25 U.S.C. 1901, et seq.,and the Montana Indian Child Welfare Act provided for in Title 41, chapter 3, part 13;
(e) applying for and accepting grants and other funds for Indian child welfare activities;
(f) developing and maintaining a list of attorneys to represent indigent parents and Indian custodians in Indian child welfare proceedings;
(g) making recommendations to the department on legislation and rules concerning Indian child welfare matters; and
(h) performing other duties concerning Indian child welfare matters as determined by the director. (Terminates June 30, 2025--sec. 55, Ch. 716, L. 2023.)