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Bill would move child‑abuse county‑attorney reporting to once a year; county attorneys and DOJ back change
Summary
SB69 would change the statutory frequency for county attorneys to report child‑sexual‑abuse case notes to the attorney general from twice a year to once a year (due June 1), a change the Criminal Justice Oversight Council and county attorneys supported as improving data accuracy and reducing administrative burden.
Sen. Gail Lammers introduced Senate Bill 69, a change to reporting requirements that would require county attorneys to report case notes and materials on child sexual‑abuse investigations to the attorney general once a year (on or before June 1) rather than twice a year. Lammers said the Criminal Justice Oversight Council recommended the change after county attorneys and DOJ staff reported that the data develop slowly and twice‑annual reporting does not improve accuracy.
Nanette Gilbertson (Montana County Attorneys Association) and Scott Twito (county‑attorney representative to CJOC) testified in support, saying annual reporting reduces burden on county attorneys and yields a more accurate compilation for the Law and Justice Interim Committee by the August 15 deadline. Committee members discussed coordination with a related House bill (HB593) that has different reporting dates; staff said conflict‑checking and coordination instructions or an amendment can reconcile overlaps. The sponsor closed by saying the change simplifies reporting and improves accuracy; committee closed the hearing without a recorded vote.
