42-6-104. Appointment of confidential intermediary -- duties -- payment. - Montana Statutes

     42-6-104. Appointment of confidential intermediary -- duties -- payment. (1) After a petition for disclosure has been filed under 42-6-103, the court shall appoint a confidential intermediary who shall:
     (a) conduct a confidential search for the person sought as requested in the petition for disclosure;
     (b) refrain from disclosing directly or indirectly any identifying information to the petitioner, unless ordered to do so by the court; and
     (c) make a written report of the results of the search to the court not later than 6 months after appointment.
     (2) Upon appointment, a confidential intermediary is entitled to be paid a reasonable fee plus actual expenses incurred in conducting the search. The fee and expenses must be paid by the petitioner.
     (3) A confidential intermediary may inspect otherwise confidential records of the court, the department, or an authorized agency for use in the search. The confidential intermediary may not disclose identifying information from the records or any results of a search unless authorized by the court or unless the parties have executed written consent to the confidential intermediary. Nonidentifying information from any source may be disclosed without further order from the court.
     (4) If a confidential intermediary locates the person being sought, a confidential inquiry must be made as to whether the located person consents to having that person's present identity disclosed to the petitioner. The court may request that the confidential intermediary assist in arranging contact between the petitioner and the located person.
     (5) If a confidential intermediary locates the person being sought and the located person does not consent to having that person's identity disclosed, identifying information regarding that person may be disclosed only upon order of the court for good cause shown.
     (6) If the person being sought is found to be deceased, the court may order disclosure of identifying information regarding the deceased to the petitioner.

     History: En. Sec. 144, Ch. 480, L. 1997.