INTRODUCED
BY D. Lenz
By Request of the Human Services
A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT REVISING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR REPORTS ON THE OUT-OF-STATE PLACEMENT OF HIGH-RISK CHILDREN WITH MULTIAGENCY NEEDS; AMENDING SECTION 52-2-311, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE."
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
Section 1. Section 52-2-311, MCA, is amended to read:
"52-2-311. Out-of-state placement monitoring and reporting. (1) The department shall collect the following information regarding high-risk children with multiagency service needs:
(a) the number of children placed out of state;
(b) the reasons each child was placed out of state;
(c) the costs for each child placed out of state;
(d) the process used to avoid out-of-state placements; and
(e) the number of in-state providers participating in the pool; and
(f) the location of the facilities in which the children were placed.
(2) For children whose placement is funded in whole or in part by medicaid, the report must include information indicating other department programs with which the child is involved.
(3) On an ongoing basis, the department shall attempt to reduce out-of-state placements.
(4) The department shall report biannually in accordance with 5-11-210, to the children, families, health, and human services interim committee no later than August 30 each year concerning the information it has collected under this section and the results of the efforts it has made to reduce out-of-state placements. The report must cover placements made during the most recently completed fiscal year."
Section 2. Effective date. [This act] is effective July 1, 2021.