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Committee advances cleanup bill removing temporary investigative authority in child-abuse statutes, HB 77 moves to floor
Summary
House Bill 77, described by staff as code cleanup to remove duplicative temporary investigative authority in child abuse and neglect statutes, was advanced to the House floor after committee discussion that it does not change investigative practice.
House Health and Human Services committee staff summarized House Bill 77 as legislation introduced by Representative Howell by request of the Child Protective Services work group to revise laws related to child abuse and neglect investigations by the Department of Public Health and Human Services and to remove temporary investigative authority.
Millie told the committee the bill "repeals section 40 one-three 433 of the MCA" (as stated in the committee summary) and said there are no amendments in committee. Vice Chair Howell described the measure as code cleanup drafted with input from legislators, departments, county attorneys and public defenders; he said the intent is to remove duplicative language and add clarity without changing how investigations are handled or how families experience their cases.
A committee member who reviewed connected statutes concurred that the bill is cleanup language and will not change practice. Members called the question and, after handling proxies and a brief clarification on the record, Chair Marshall confirmed that HB 77 will move to the House floor.
The bill now proceeds to the full House for further consideration.
