The provided bill text, identified as Senate Bill 382, focuses on revising laws related to immunization exemptions, which differs from the title "Establish the specie legal tender act" for HB 382.
Based on the provided text, this bill mandates that various entities, including state agencies, schools, child care facilities, and licensed health care providers, must accept religious or informed consent exemptions for required immunizations, injections, or medications for employment or attendance. It establishes that denying such an exemption is an unlawful discriminatory practice. Non-compliant entities could face a loss of state funding, and individuals denied an exemption may file complaints and seek compensatory damages. The bill also clarifies and strengthens the existing provisions for religious, medical, and informed consent exemptions for school attendance.
HB 500 aimed to revise laws related to chiropractic practitioners in Montana. The bill sought to establish a new license endorsement, allowing chiropractors who obtain it to prescribe certain noncontrolled, nonscheduled drugs like muscle relaxants and NSAIDs for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The Board of Chiropractors would have been responsible for setting the educational qualifications and protocols for this prescriptive authority. Additionally, the bill proposed that chiropractic services be included as part of the Montana Medicaid program.
HB 943 establishes the Montana Rare Disease Advisory Council within the Department of Public Health and Human Services. This 17-member council, composed of patients, caregivers, medical professionals, researchers, and other stakeholders, will provide guidance, education, and recommendations on the needs of individuals with rare diseases in Montana. Its duties include surveying patient needs, developing policy recommendations for improved access to care and treatment, publishing resources, and identifying research opportunities. The council is required to meet regularly and submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature, and the bill includes an appropriation to cover initial costs.
HB 807 amends state law to prohibit individuals from being required to receive certain vaccines. Specifically, it mandates that vaccines whose use is allowed under an emergency use authorization (EUA) or those still undergoing safety trials cannot be a requirement. This applies to persons, governmental entities, employers, and public accommodations, preventing them from denying services, employment, or access based on non-receipt of such vaccines. The bill integrates this new prohibition into existing law concerning discrimination based on vaccination status.
HB 76 revises laws concerning the Board of Behavioral Health. The bill establishes certification and regulation for "family peer support specialists," individuals who use their personal experience to support parents and caregivers of children with significant physical, developmental, or behavioral health needs. It also adds family peer support to the list of practices regulated by the board and provides a specific licensure exemption for religious officials.
HB 869, titled "Provide for the sudden cardiac arrest prevention in youth sports," establishes measures to prevent sudden cardiac arrest in youth athletes. It requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop informational resources on cardiac arrest symptoms and risks. Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, schools with athletic programs must implement cardiac emergency response plans, including accessible automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and staff training in CPR and AED use. Coaches will be required to be certified in CPR, first aid, and AED use, and hold informational meetings for parents and athletes. The bill also allows coaches or officials to remove athletes exhibiting cardiac arrest symptoms, who then require written medical clearance to return to play, and clarifies that AED purchases are an allowable expenditure for school safety.
SB 497 establishes laws for professional wellness programs aimed at addressing career fatigue in healthcare providers, including physicians, nurses, and dentists. The bill grants civil immunity to members and consultants of these wellness programs for actions performed within their duties. It revises reporting requirements, stating that participation in a wellness program alone does not obligate reporting a healthcare provider to their licensing board, unless there is a good faith determination of incompetence or danger. Additionally, the bill provides an evidentiary privilege, generally protecting the proceedings and records of these programs from discovery in civil actions or admission in licensing actions.
HB 953 revises Montana's Medicaid laws to allow for the coverage of direct primary care contracts under the state's Medicaid program. This bill directly affects Medicaid enrollees by providing them the option to use these services. It also prohibits the Department of Public Health and Human Services from requiring an enrollee to participate in primary care case management if they opt for a direct primary care contract. The bill provides a definition for "direct primary care contract" and includes an appropriation to support these changes.
SB 535 revises laws related to experimental treatments, primarily by requiring experimental treatment centers to obtain a license from the state department. These centers must adhere to operational standards and pay licensing fees. The bill also mandates that licensed centers allocate 2% of their net annual profits to support access to experimental treatments for qualifying Montana residents. This allocation can be fulfilled by providing free treatment or contributing to a new Insurance Premium Support Account. This account is established to help fund health insurance premiums for eligible Montana residents who purchase insurance on the federal marketplace and meet specific income criteria.
This bill establishes a state licensure system for doulas, defining them as nonmedical professionals who provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum. Beginning January 1, 2027, individuals wishing to practice as state-licensed doulas must obtain a license from the Department of Labor and Industry. Licensure requires paying fees, completing specific competencies, and adhering to professional conduct standards. Additionally, the bill allows the Department of Public Health and Human Services to provide Medicaid coverage for services offered by state-licensed doulas.
