HB 464 revises Montana's insurance laws regarding property ownership changes upon death. It clarifies that when real property is transferred using a "transfer on death deed," the existing insurance coverage on that property is not voided when the original owner passes away. Instead, the bill ensures that the insurance coverage temporarily extends to the designated beneficiary for losses to the real property. This temporary coverage lasts for a maximum of 45 days after the owner's death, or until a new policy is in place or the original policy expires, ensuring continuity of protection for the property.
HB 307 revises the laws concerning the donation of hunting licenses to disabled veterans and members of the armed forces. It allows current hunting license holders to surrender their licenses for reissuance to eligible disabled veterans or service members, specifically for use on expeditions arranged by qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations focused on rehabilitation. The bill establishes new eligibility requirements for recipients, who must now be Purple Heart recipients with a combat-related injury leading to medical retirement or a 70% or greater disability rating. Additionally, recipients may not have received a donated license under this section in the previous calendar year, but are not required to be residents or pay fees.
HB 400, titled the "Free to Speak Act," prohibits public schools and the state from taking disciplinary or adverse actions against students and employees. This protection applies if they decline to state their own pronouns or to address another person using a name, pronoun, or title that is inconsistent with that person's sex or not their legal name. The bill allows individuals harmed by such violations to bring a civil lawsuit seeking injunctive relief, monetary damages, and attorney fees. This act aims to protect specific speech choices for students and employees within public education and interactions with the state.
House Bill 475 restricts the use of physical restraints on inmates known to be pregnant during labor and delivery. It generally prohibits restraints unless there are extraordinary circumstances, such as an individualized determination that the inmate is a flight risk or poses a clear threat to themselves or others. Even in these cases, leg or waist restraints are strictly prohibited. The bill also requires that any applied restraints be the least restrictive necessary and removed when the risk is mitigated or at the request of a healthcare professional.
HB 342 establishes a statutory duty of care for licensed health care providers in medical malpractice actions. It requires providers to offer care consistent with the skill and learning reasonably used by others in the same specialty and with the same certification. Individuals claiming a violation must establish this standard of care using competent evidence, including qualified expert testimony. The bill clarifies that the existence of risks does not change the established standard of care.
HB 502 establishes a new "Board of Facility Health Care Professionals" to regulate specific healthcare occupations. This new seven-member board will consist of clinical laboratory scientists, radiologic technologists, respiratory therapists, and a public member. It consolidates and transfers the authority for licensing and oversight of clinical laboratory science practitioners, radiologic technologists, and respiratory care practitioners to this single board. The board is responsible for administering licensing provisions, establishing criteria for licensure, adopting associated fees, and issuing or renewing licenses for these professions.
House Bill 504 expands the types of livestock covered under Montana's Livestock Loss Mitigation Program. This bill allows Montana livestock producers to receive reimbursement for domestic bison lost due to predation by wolves, mountain lions, and grizzly bears. It also specifies that the fair market value for domestic bison, used for reimbursement, will be twice the average value of commercial cattle of the same age and sex.
HB 311 requires landlords and property managers to refund residential rental application fees to applicants who do not ultimately sign a rental agreement. Landlords may deduct costs for specific services actually performed, such as a credit check, if the applicant was given written notice of these allocated costs when the fee was collected. However, they cannot retain fees for services not performed or for their own time. If an application fee is wrongfully withheld, an applicant can take civil action to recover the amount, with potential for attorney fees.
HB 650 revises state bonding laws by expanding the definition of "project" to include facilities that provide broadband service. This change allows municipalities and counties to issue bonds to fund projects aimed at delivering broadband services. Specifically, it targets areas where existing broadband speeds are below 100 megabits per second download and 20 megabits per second upload. The bill provides a mechanism for local governments to finance the development of high-speed internet infrastructure in underserved locations.
HB 631 revises student data privacy laws by amending the definition of "K-12 school purposes" in Section 20-7-1324, MCA. This change means that the existing data privacy protections for K-12 online applications will no longer apply to courses taken for postsecondary (college) credit. It also excludes work-based learning courses from these specific K-12 data privacy regulations. This bill aims to remove barriers to postsecondary opportunities by clarifying which educational activities fall under K-12 online application privacy rules.
Bill HB 463 allows a Montana Limited Liability Company (LLC) to convert into either a domestic corporation or a limited liability partnership. For such a conversion to occur, all members of the LLC must unanimously agree to the terms and conditions. A written conversion agreement detailing how member interests will be handled is required, along with filing new articles of organization with the secretary of state. Upon successful filing, the LLC's certificate is canceled, and the conversion becomes effective, providing a clear pathway for businesses to change their legal structure.
HB 544 revises health insurance laws, affecting health insurance issuers, covered individuals, and state employees/retirees. It prohibits health insurance issuers from retroactively denying coverage for services that received prior approval, with exceptions for fraud or misrepresentation. The bill also allows biologic therapies to be prescribed to minors under 18, even if FDA-approved only for adults, provided the treatment is medically necessary and supported by peer-reviewed medical literature. Furthermore, it amends provisions for state insurance contracts, detailing conditions under which certain state employees, retirees, and their families, as well as legislators and judges, can continue membership in state group health plans.
