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 241 enacts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), allowing licensed psychologists to provide services across state lines. This bill enables psychologists licensed in a compact state to offer telepsychology services or temporary in-person services (up to 30 days annually) in other compact states without needing separate licenses. It establishes a framework for mutual recognition of licenses, defines requirements for cross-state practice, and creates a system for sharing licensure and disciplinary information among member states. The compact aims to increase public access to psychological services while maintaining regulatory oversight and accountability for psychologists. It directly affects licensed psychologists and their clients across participating states.
HB 253 mandates that the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) disclose specific health information daily during a declared public health emergency. This bill requires the DPHHS to publish on its website the total number of individuals hospitalized and those who have died due to the emergency, while adhering to confidentiality laws. For these categories, the department must provide breakdowns by age group, gender, length of hospitalization, date of death, and any contributing underlying conditions or personal characteristics. The aim is to provide the public with detailed, aggregated data about the health impacts of an emergency.
HB 183 enacts Montana's participation in the Physician Assistant (PA) Licensure Compact, allowing PAs licensed in other participating states to practice in Montana without obtaining a separate Montana license. The bill establishes a "compact privilege" requiring PAs to hold an unrestricted license in good standing from a participating state, pass criminal background checks, and comply with Montana's medical practice laws during patient encounters. It directly affects PAs seeking cross-state practice opportunities and Montana patients receiving care from out-of-state PAs, while specifically benefiting military families by enabling easier licensure for active-duty personnel and spouses. The compact also requires participating states to share disciplinary information and implement standardized background checks.
SB 86 revises Montana's laws governing automatic external defibrillator (AED) programs. It requires entities (like schools, businesses, or public venues) using AEDs to create written plans detailing AED locations, authorized users, CPR/AED training, coordination with local emergency medical services, and maintenance records. The bill eliminates the Department of Public Health's authority to create rules about AEDs and updates enforcement: violations now trigger a written cease order from the department, with entities able to request a hearing within 30 days. These changes aim to clarify AED program requirements and streamline oversight.
SB 88 revises Montana's certificate of need process for healthcare facilities by requiring the Department of Public Health and Human Services to publish descriptions of letters of intent on the 10th of each month in a newspaper of general circulation and on its website. It establishes a 30-day window for interested parties to request comparative review of proposals and sets clear deadlines for the department to review applications (20 working days for completeness, 90 days for final review). The bill also mandates that the department notify applicants of decisions within 5 working days after the review period ends. These changes directly affect healthcare providers seeking to acquire or expand long-term care facilities, particularly those involving 50% or more of an existing facility. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
SB 82 establishes a new program within Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services to support individuals under age 55 with severe visual impairments in achieving independent living goals. The bill defines "severe visual impairment" as a disability that significantly hinders daily tasks even with correction, and outlines specific services including mobility training, Braille instruction, assistive technology, and peer counseling. Eligibility is determined by the department based on established criteria, with services provided based on available funds and consumer needs, while also guaranteeing a fair hearing for those disagreeing with decisions. The program takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to Montana residents meeting the defined criteria.
This bill makes Montana's community health aide program permanent by removing its previously scheduled expiration date. It directs the Department of Public Health and Human Services to apply for Medicaid coverage for services provided by certified community health aides. The change directly affects community health aides and their patients, particularly in rural and tribal communities, ensuring continued access to essential healthcare services without future legislative renewal.
HB 195 revises Montana’s cap on non-monetary damages (like pain, suffering, and emotional distress) in medical malpractice cases. It immediately raises the limit from $250,000 to $300,000, with scheduled annual increases: $350,000 in 2026, $400,000 in 2027, $450,000 in 2028, $500,000 in 2029, and 2% annual increases thereafter. The cap applies per patient per incident and is determined by the date the claim was first filed (with the medical panel or in court), not the trial date. This directly affects patients filing medical malpractice claims and healthcare providers defending such cases.
HB 41 adds gabapentin to Montana's Schedule V list of controlled substances under the "depressants" category. This change directly affects medical providers who prescribe gabapentin (used for nerve pain, seizures, and other conditions), pharmacists who dispense it, and patients using the medication. The bill amends Montana Code § 50-32-232 to explicitly include gabapentin - identified by its chemical name "1-(aminomethyl)cyclohexaneacetic acid" - in Schedule V depressants alongside drugs like pregabalin. This policy update standardizes gabapentin's regulatory classification without altering its medical use or prescribing rules.
