41-5-1701. Appointment of juvenile probation officers. (1) The youth court judge of each judicial district shall appoint probation officers, deputy probation officers, and part-time probation officers necessary to administer this chapter. The qualifications for part-time probation officers must approximate those required for probation officers insofar as possible. A chief probation officer must be appointed by the judge to supervise the youth division offices in the judicial district. The judge shall also ensure that the youth division offices are staffed with necessary office personnel and that the offices are properly equipped to effectively carry out the purpose and intent of this chapter. A person while serving as a law enforcement officer may not be appointed or perform the duties of a full-time or part-time probation officer.
     (2) All probation officers and youth division office staff hired or appointed under subsection (1) are employees of the judicial branch of state government. The employees are subject to classification and compensation as determined by the judicial branch personnel plan adopted by the supreme court under 3-1-130 and must receive state employee benefits and expenses as provided in Title 2, chapter 18.

     History: En. 10-1234 by Sec. 34, Ch. 329, L. 1974; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 530, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 10-1234(1); amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 29, L. 1979; Sec. 41-5-701, MCA 1995; redes. 41-5-1701 by Sec. 47, Ch. 286, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 34, Ch. 585, L. 2001.