Montana Title 7. Local Government § 7-32-602. Local first responder peer support programs

Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(1) A police department, sheriff's office, fire department, or emergency medical service provider may establish a first responder peer support program that is in compliance with the provisions of this section.

(2) A local first responder peer support program must have a written policy that outlines, at a minimum:

(a) qualifications for a peer supporter, including certification and continuing education requirements;

(b) guidelines for what constitutes a peer support session from a conversation between peers;

(d) the prohibition of recording in writing or by video or audio any peer support session;

(e) how peer supporters in the program shall comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, 42 U.S.C. 1320d, et seq.;

(f) the ability of an employee to use multiple peer supporters;

(g) the protection of an employee from being forced to use a peer supporter who holds supervisory authority over the employee;

(h) the prohibition of harassment or discrimination against an employee or volunteer who seeks services from the peer support program; and

(i) confidentiality protections of the peer support program, including the following exceptions:

(i) if the employee has committed or plans to commit a crime;

(ii) if the employee indicates the employee will cause harm to themself or to others;

(iii) if there is a request from an appropriate licensing board or program; and

(iv) if the mandatory reporting requirements of licensing boards or programs apply.

(3) A peer support session is confidential, and, except as provided in subsection (2)(i), a qualified peer supporter in a local first responder peer support program is prohibited from providing testimony about a peer support session, including individual and group peer support sessions.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Montana Title 7. Local Government § 7-32-602. Local first responder peer support programs - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/mt/title-7-local-government/mt-code-ann-sect-7-32-602/

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