Healthcare

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 17, 2025

SB 279: Adopt the dietitian licensure compact

SB 279 enacts the Dietitian Licensure Compact, which allows licensed dietitians and nutritionists to practice in multiple participating states through a "compact privilege" without needing to obtain a separate license in each state. This bill aims to improve public access to dietetics services and reduce administrative burdens for practitioners and state licensing authorities. It establishes uniform requirements for licensure portability, including criminal background checks, and supports military members and their spouses. The compact also enhances cooperation among states in regulating the profession and protecting public health and safety.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables multi-state practice for dietitians, directly improving public access to dietetics services per bill's stated goal.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 17, 2025

SB 233: Adopting the interstate massage compact

SB 233 enacts the Interstate Massage Compact, establishing a new multistate licensing program for massage therapists. This compact allows licensed massage therapists to practice in all participating member states with a single multistate license, increasing their professional mobility. It includes provisions for criminal background checks for multistate licensure and creates an interstate commission to administer the compact. The bill aims to improve public access to massage therapy services and enhance regulatory cooperation among states while ensuring public safety.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves public access to massage therapy services by enabling multistate licensing, directly advancing healthcare service availability for a licensed profession.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Montana · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 241: Adopt the psychology interjurisdictional compact

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables cross-state mental health services via PSYPACT, improving patient access to psychologists without additional licensing barriers, directly supporting mental health care access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Montana · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 253: Mandate disclosure of certain information in public health emergency

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates public disclosure of health data during emergencies to enhance transparency and public health response, aligning with healthcare protection goals.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 17, 2025

SB 456: Revise professions and occupations laws regarding dispensing of drugs

Senate Bill 456 revises professions and occupations laws related to the dispensing of drugs by medical practitioners. It allows health care staff, other than the practitioner, to convey dispensed drugs to patients at the practitioner's office. For this to happen, the practitioner must first prepare and seal the drugs with two forms of identification on the package. The staff member is then required to verify the patient's identity before handing over the medication. The bill maintains other requirements for practitioners who dispense drugs, such as registration with the board of pharmacy.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows healthcare staff to dispense medications under verification protocols, improving efficiency and patient access within healthcare services without restricting coverage or funding.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 17, 2025

SB 361: Revise laws relating to health insurance claims submitted to the department of public health and human insurances

SB 361 revises Montana law regarding health insurance claims submitted by the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). It prevents health insurance issuers and other entities responsible for claim payments from denying DPHHS claims solely based on the date of submission, claim format, lack of prior authorization, or failure to present proper documentation at the point of sale. This applies if DPHHS submits the claim within three years of the service date and takes enforcement action within six years of submission. The bill clarifies that it does not require payment for services not covered under a health plan or impose new financial liabilities beyond existing agreements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents insurers from denying DPHHS claims over technical issues like submission date or documentation, ensuring timely reimbursement and protecting patient access to covered services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Montana · House Apr 4, 2025

HB 183: Enact PA licensure compact

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves licensing barriers for PAs, expanding access to healthcare services across state lines per healthcare access support indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 86: Generally revise automatic external defibrillator (AED) program laws

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates AED program requirements including training, coordination with EMS, and maintenance to improve emergency response access, strengthening public health infrastructure and patient safety protocols.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 88: Revise laws related to the publication process of certificate of need letters of intent

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines healthcare facility approval process with transparent deadlines, improving access to services by reducing bureaucratic delays in certificate of need reviews.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 82: Establish adjustment to blindness program

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates new health services program under Public Health Dept. for visual impairment support, expanding access to mobility training, Braille, and assistive tech services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare