Senate Bill 36 revises school funding laws by removing expired contingency language related to block grants for school districts. The bill specifically addresses provisions for the repayment of "coal-fired generating unit closure mitigation block grants" provided to school districts. These repayment conditions were tied to specific closure dates for generating units that occurred on or before July 1, 2022. Since these dates have passed, the bill eliminates the outdated requirements from the Montana Code Annotated.
HB 218 revises the practice of optometry by expanding the scope of services licensed optometrists can provide. It permits optometrists to perform certain in-office surgical procedures and laser surgical procedures, specifically limited to the anterior segment of the eye and adnexa. However, the bill explicitly excludes penetrating intraocular surgery, intravitreal injection, and refractive surgery. To perform laser surgical procedures, optometrists must be certified by the board after completing required didactic and clinical training. This act takes effect on July 1, 2025.
HB 399 revises prior authorization laws for health insurance issuers, aiming to simplify access to certain prescription drugs for covered individuals. The bill prohibits prior authorization for oral and inhaled generic prescription drugs, inhaled medications for asthma or chronic lung diseases, and insulin for diabetes patients. It also restricts prior authorization for generic drugs used consistently for six months and for dosage adjustments within approved limits. If an insurer makes an adverse determination for a prescription drug, the decision must be made by a specialist physician, and the insurer must provide a list of covered therapeutic alternatives.
SB 37 revises school funding laws by clarifying how significant enrollment increases are calculated for state aid payments. The bill specifies that these calculations must be made separately for each budget unit within a school district. A district becomes eligible for additional funding if its current October enrollment count, converted to ANB, exceeds its budget limit ANB from three years prior by 110% or more. The Superintendent of Public Instruction determines the payment amount, which districts can accept fully or partially to address costs associated with the enrollment growth.
SB 206 revises laws related to child abuse and neglect investigations and court proceedings. The bill establishes two distinct roles: a child protection investigator and a child reunification specialist. Child protection investigators are responsible for investigating allegations of abuse or neglect and handling cases prior to a child's removal from their home. Child reunification specialists focus on coordinating services and proceedings to reunify families after a child has been removed. The bill generally prohibits the same person from performing both roles in a single case, aiming to separate these functions.
SB 175 revises the procedures for a Board of County Commissioners to adopt or amend zoning regulations. The bill establishes a separate, streamlined process for amending existing zoning regulations, distinct from the procedure for creating new zoning districts or initial regulations. For amendments, a public hearing notice must be posted at least 15 days beforehand and published weekly for two weeks in a local newspaper. This notice must describe the proposed changes and where to inspect the relevant documents. The bill requires a public meeting and notice before a board can adopt a resolution to amend a zoning regulation.
SB 109 revises Montana's workers' compensation law by expanding the definition of "treating physician." This bill includes physical therapists within that definition, allowing them to serve as primary treating providers for injured workers. This change directly affects workers seeking care for injuries and physical therapists providing treatment under workers' compensation claims. The bill amends Section 39-71-116, MCA.
HB 143 revises the definition of "treating physician" within the state's Workers' Compensation Act. This bill expands the definition to explicitly include physician assistants (PAs). A key provision is the removal of any requirement for PAs to be in proximity to other medical providers to qualify as a treating physician for these purposes. This change affects how workers' compensation claims are managed and potentially broadens the types of healthcare providers recognized for injured workers.
House Bill 158 revises the provisions for retired teachers, specialists, and administrators who return to work in public schools under the Teachers' Retirement System. It extends the maximum period for re-employment from three years to five years, allowing eligible retirees to continue receiving their retirement benefits without interruption. This applies if the retired member has at least 27 years of creditable service and the school district certifies it was unable to fill the position with a non-retired applicant. The bill also extends the termination date for these temporary re-employment provisions to June 30, 2029.
HB 198 revises laws that prohibit contracts restricting the practice of specific healthcare providers. The bill prevents employment or professional relationship contracts from limiting a healthcare provider's right to practice their licensed profession in any area or for any period after their relationship ends. It also prohibits contracts from restricting their ability to treat or solicit current patients of their former employer or partner. This applies to a range of providers, including psychiatrists, psychologists, various counselors, nurses, and physician assistants, but does not apply to contracts for the sale of a practice.
HB 227 establishes a contingent litigation fund to help smaller occupational licensing boards and programs cover significant legal costs. This fund is specifically for expenses over $15,000 related to disciplinary actions against licensees, benefiting boards with an average annual revenue of $200,000 or less. It is funded by an annual fee, capped at $25 per licensee, collected as part of license applications or renewals. The fee collection pauses if the fund balance reaches $300,000.
This bill clarifies how school districts count enrollment for funding purposes when children participate in early literacy jumpstart programs. It specifies that children in these programs are counted as quarter-time enrollment for a district's Average Number Belonging (ANB) calculation, which determines state funding. The bill also states that if a child attends a jumpstart program in a district other than their resident district, no out-of-district attendance agreement or tuition is required. Additionally, it outlines reporting requirements for districts on program efficacy and mandates the superintendent of public instruction to monitor and report on these interventions.
