_____________ bill NO. _____________

INTRODUCED BY _________________________________________________

By Request of the Department of Public Health and Human Services

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT REVISING LAWS PERTAINING TO PAYMENT FOR SUPPORT OF YOUTH IN NEED OF CARE, YOUTH IN NEED OF INTERVENTION, OR DELINQUENT YOUTH; ELIMINATING THE REQUIREMENT THAT COUNTIES PAY AN ADMINISTRATIVE FEE TO THE STATE GENERAL FUND AS REIMBURSEMENT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES FOR FOSTER CARE PAYMENTS; AMENDING SECTION 52-2-611, MCA; and PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE."

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

Section 1. Section 52-2-611, MCA, is amended to read:

"52-2-611. Payment for support of youth in need of care, youth in need of intervention, or delinquent youth. (1) Whenever a youth who is a youth in need of care, a youth in need of intervention, or a delinquent youth is placed by the department of public health and human services or the department of corrections in a youth care facility, the department making the placement shall pay, within the limits of the appropriation for that purpose, a foster care payment to the youth care facility at a rate established by the department of public health and human services for the youth's board, clothing, personal needs, treatment, and room.

(2) Each county shall pay an administrative fee to the state general fund to reimburse the department, in part, for the costs of administering and providing foster care payments pursuant to 52-2-603.

(3)(2)    The department shall conduct or arrange for the review required under 41-3-115, or when applicable, 41-3-1010 of a youth placed in a youth care facility if the youth is placed by the department."

NEW SECTION. Section 2. Effective date. [This act] is effective July 1, 2023.