Montana § 41-3-1003 - Establishment Of Board -- Definition -- Membership

§ 41-3-1003. Establishment Of Board -- Definition -- Membership

Establishment of board -- definition -- membership. (1) As used in this part, "board" means a citizen review board appointed as provided in this section. (2) Subject to the availability of funds, a district court judge who has indicated in writing an interest in having a board shall establish at least one board in the judicial district to review the case of each child in the custody of the department and in foster care. A board may review a case of a child who remains in or returns to the child's home and for whom the department retains legal custody. (3) A board is composed of at least three and not more than five members appointed by the district court judges. Each member appointed must be sworn in by a judge of the judicial district to which the member is appointed to serve. (4) The board must be appointed according to the following guidelines: (a) Members of a board must be recruited from groups with special knowledge of or interest in foster care and child welfare. (b) As far as practicable, members of a board shall represent the various socioeconomic and ethnic groups of the area served. Boards should include tribal representatives whenever possible. (c) A person employed by the department who has a direct conflict of interest may not serve on a board. (d) A member of a board must be a resident of one of the counties of the judicial district that the member is appointed to serve. (5) The members of a board must be willing to serve without compensation.