This bill revises Montana's child care laws to modernize definitions, clarify confidentiality requirements for children's information, and remove certain inspection and training mandates for local public health authorities. It directly affects child care providers, families seeking care, and state and local health agencies responsible for oversight. Key changes include updating definitions for terms like "day-care center" and "family day-care home," ensuring child care data remains confidential, and eliminating specific local health authority responsibilities for inspections and training. The legislation aims to improve coordination among child care programs while maintaining safety standards for children under 13 or those with special needs.
This bill directs Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services to expand the Family Education and Support Services Program so it can serve all qualified families applying by July 1, 2026. The program, which provides education and support to families, must report annually to the legislature on how families benefit, how the program prepares them for future health care services, and how participants compare to non-participants. The legislation aims to serve a number of families similar to the 2016 levels and is effective from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027.
This bill requires vehicle buyers in Montana to send a written notice to dealers before filing lawsuits alleging unfair or deceptive sales practices. The notice must include specific details about the vehicle and the alleged problem, and dealers have 28 days to respond before the buyer can file a civil complaint. This process applies to new and used motor vehicles, motorcycles, boats, and other similar vehicles, and it modifies existing state laws governing consumer protection claims against dealers. The bill aims to create a mandatory pre-litigation step that gives dealers an opportunity to address complaints before legal action is taken.
This bill revises Montana laws governing pharmacies, pharmacy benefit managers, and related entities to regulate how prescription drug costs are managed and audited. It directly affects pharmacies, pharmacy benefit managers, health insurers, and third-party payers by establishing clearer rules for reimbursement and audits. Key provisions prohibit certain audit practices, such as charging interest during audits, using statistical extrapolation to calculate penalties, or recouping funds for minor clerical errors unless actual financial harm occurs. The bill also defines important terms like "maximum allowable cost list" and "reference pricing" and sets requirements for drug inclusion on reimbursement lists, including mandates that drugs be FDA-rated and available from wholesalers. Additionally, it restricts how pharmacies can validate drug purchases for compliance purposes, allowing them to use purchase records without date or source limitations as long as state and federal laws are followed.
This bill restricts investment firms from purchasing single-family homes that have been listed for sale for less than 45 days. The law defines an investment firm as a corporation or trust that pools investor capital to buy financial securities, and it applies this 45-day waiting period specifically to these entities. If an investment firm attempts to buy a home before the 45-day period ends, the seller can cancel the contract at any time before it is fully completed. The bill does not affect sales by other types of buyers or transactions that occurred before the law takes effect.
This bill would ban the use of aluminum as an ingredient in vaccines sold or administered within Montana, directly affecting vaccine manufacturers, distributors, and healthcare providers. It requires the state Department of Public Health and Human Services to notify all relevant parties within 30 days of enactment and mandates that manufacturers and distributors submit compliance plans within one year detailing how they will remove aluminum-containing vaccines and distribute aluminum-free alternatives. The ban does not take effect until the Department of Public Health and Human Services certifies that aluminum-free vaccines are available for human use, at which point healthcare providers would be prohibited from administering any vaccine containing aluminum. The bill also authorizes the Department of Labor and Industry to take licensing action against healthcare providers who violate the prohibition.
This bill revises Montana's landlord and tenant laws to clarify protections for invitees who have not established a formal rental relationship, allowing owners to request law enforcement remove unauthorized occupants. It establishes specific timelines for eviction hearings, requiring courts to hear possession cases within 10 business days for most violations or 5 days for certain noncompliance issues. The legislation also sets a 45-day limit for resolving damage claims and mandates that eviction writs be executed by the sheriff within 5 business days after a landlord wins a possession case. Additionally, it defines what counts as valid authorization to occupy property, including written rental agreements or verified verbal permission from landlords or tenants.
This bill would change how Montana Supreme Court justices and the Chief Justice are elected by requiring them to run on partisan ballots where candidates declare affiliation with a political party or list themselves as "undisclosed." The legislation allows candidates to accept political party endorsements and contributions, and it permits only one undisclosed candidate to advance to the general election. Additionally, incumbent justices seeking re-election would appear on the ballot with their political party designation and a yes-or-no retention question, without a write-in option. These changes affect judicial elections by introducing party labels and campaign financing rules to the previously nonpartisan selection process for the state's highest court.
This bill updates Montana laws governing litigation financing by clarifying definitions and establishing new rules for transparency and foreign investment. It directly affects individuals seeking legal funding, law firms, and companies that provide financial support for legal claims in exchange for a share of potential recovery. Key provisions include creating a new Foreign Investment in Litigation Financing Act to prohibit certain foreign entities from funding lawsuits, requiring registration and disclosure for foreign persons involved in litigation financing, and refining definitions of who qualifies as a consumer, legal representative, and litigation financer. The legislation also amends existing sections of the Montana Code Annotated to ensure clearer regulatory oversight of these financial arrangements.
This bill would change the date for Montana's primary elections from the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June to the third Tuesday in May. The change directly affects all voters and candidates participating in statewide primary elections held in even-numbered years. The legislation amends state law to establish this new date while keeping the existing schedule for odd-numbered year primaries unchanged. Additionally, the bill requires the secretary of state to send a copy of the act to federally recognized tribal governments in Montana.
This bill revises Montana's alcohol license laws by updating definitions and requirements for various alcohol-related businesses. It directly affects liquor store operators, brewers, importers, wholesalers, and other entities selling alcoholic beverages by clarifying terms like "beer," "brewer," and "agency liquor store." The bill also establishes new requirements for applicants to submit fingerprints and provides immediate effective dates for these changes. These updates aim to modernize regulatory language and ensure clarity for businesses operating under Montana's alcohol laws.
This bill amends Montana law to revise how county planning boards are composed and who can serve on them. It requires that at least one member of a county planning board be a representative from a conservation district or state cooperative grazing district, provided that person lives in the county. Additionally, if a city or town gains representation on the planning board, its council must appoint the additional members. The changes directly affect county commissioners, conservation district officials, and local government representatives by establishing new membership requirements for planning boards.
