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Lawmakers debated codifying CPS case‑determination terms to clear 'founded' confusion
Summary
Sen. Dennis Lenz’s SB402 would define case outcomes in child‑protection investigations (substantiated, unsubstantiated, unfounded); proponents said codification removes ambiguity and limits employment harm, while the child‑welfare division said safety standards remain the same and many 'founded' findings would be reclassified as 'substantiated'.
Sen. Dennis Lenz described Senate Bill 402 as a technical but important clarification of how Child Protective Services labels case determinations after investigation. The bill would put the definitions of substantiated, unsubstantiated and unfounded into statute to remove confusion caused by an intermediary 'founded' classification used in past practice.
Denise Johnson of the Montana Child Protection Alliance testified in support, urging the committee to codify the three terms and explaining…
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