_____________ bill NO. _____________

INTRODUCED BY _________________________________________________

By Request of the ****

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT ESTABLISHING EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SUPERVISORS IN THE CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES SYSTEM; AMENDING SECTION 52-2-111, MCA; and PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE and AN APPLICABILITY DATE."

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

Section 1. Section 52-2-111, MCA, is amended to read:

"52-2-111. Administrative duties of department. (1) Subject to the authority and regulations of the department and in cooperation with the federal government, the department shall:

(1)(a) adopt rules necessary to carry out the purposes of this part; and

(2)(b) administer or supervise all child welfare services of the state.

(2) The department division responsible for administering child welfare services shall require a master's degree in social work for employees hired as district supervisors or supervisors of field staff."

NEW SECTION. Section 2. Transition. To implement the provisions of [this act], the department shall:

(1) allow division employees who are in supervisory positions on [the effective date of this act] 4 years to obtain a master's degree in social work if the employee does not have the degree; and

(2) allow department employees who are hired to fill a supervisory position 2 years from the date of hire to obtain a master's degree in social work if the employee does not have the degree.

NEW SECTION. Section 3. Effective date. [This act] is effective July 1, 2021.

NEW SECTION. Section 4. Applicability. [Section 1] applies to individuals hired for supervisory positions on or after July 1, 2021.