SB 372 establishes minimum nurse-to-patient ratios for Montana hospitals, requiring specific limits in key units (e.g., 1 nurse per critical ER patient, 2 per ICU patient, 4 per medical-surgical unit). It mandates hospitals to create annual staffing plans with input from direct-care nurses, form committees where at least half the members are frontline nurses, and publicly post these plans. Hospitals must track and report actual nurse-to-patient ratios for each shift and unit, ensuring transparency for staff, patients, and the public. The bill directly affects all Montana hospitals licensed by the Department of Public Health, requiring concrete changes to staffing practices and reporting.
SB 478 would require Montana's public universities to cover medical costs for students who develop specific vaccine-related health conditions after receiving mandated COVID-19 vaccinations. Students would need to submit proof of vaccination (to comply with school attendance rules), a medical diagnosis of one of five listed conditions (like heart inflammation or blood clotting disorders), and cost records to their institution for reimbursement. The bill covers diagnosis, treatment, and lost wages related to those conditions, as defined by the Board of Regents. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and did not become law.
SB 469 would revise Montana's mental health service structure by updating rules for local "service area authorities" that manage community mental health programs. It requires the state Department of Mental Health to provide each service area authority with an annual contract covering administrative costs, crisis services, and community events, while also supporting at least three such authorities. The bill mandates that service area boards be led by majority consumer/family members, establishes new reporting requirements, and removes unfunded mandates requiring local governments to cover costs without state funding. This directly affects local mental health providers, county governments, and communities receiving mental health services across Montana.
SB 513 requires Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services to expand the Family Education and Support Services Program by July 1, 2026, to serve all qualified families applying to the program - matching the FY2016 service level. The bill mandates annual reports to the legislature detailing program benefits, how families prepare for future healthcare programs, and comparisons between served and unserved families. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and terminates June 30, 2027. This bill directly affects families applying to the program and the state agency administering it.
SB 295 would restore Montana injured workers' right to choose their own treating physician for initial treatment and ongoing care under workers' compensation, without being forced to use a managed care organization (MCO) or preferred provider organization (PPO) without consent. The bill requires insurers to allow workers to select a physician from a designated list for initial treatment and to change physicians with the insurer's approval (with mediation available if approval is denied). It also mandates that insurers provide individual written notice (not workplace postings) before referring workers to an MCO or PPO. This directly affects injured workers seeking medical treatment for work-related injuries in Montana, giving them more control over their healthcare decisions.
SB 522 aimed to reduce or eliminate waiting lists for Medicaid-covered services in Montana by requiring the Department of Health to implement funding changes, apply for federal waivers, and prioritize services like senior care, behavioral health, and dental care. It mandated annual reports tracking waiting list sizes, ongoing efforts to address them, and projected elimination dates. The bill died in committee on May 23, 2025, without becoming law. It did not alter existing Medicaid eligibility but focused on administrative and programmatic solutions to service access delays.
SB 563 would create a temporary "provisional resident license" for recent medical school graduates in Montana who have passed initial licensing exams but haven't yet secured a residency position. This license allows them to provide supervised patient care under a licensed physician's direct oversight through a formal collaborative agreement, with a maximum duration of two years total. The bill directly affects new physicians seeking their first clinical roles while awaiting residency placements. It amends Montana's medical licensing laws to establish specific qualifications, fees, and supervision requirements for this temporary license.
SB 100 establishes new rules for Medicaid payments in Montana's assisted living facilities. It requires the state agency to adjust room and board costs annually based on recipients' income (minus a $100 personal needs allowance) and directs the shift of Medicaid-covered assisted living services from the current "Big Sky Waiver" program to the federal "Community First Choice" program by 2026. The bill mandates quarterly reporting on service usage, waitlists, and costs for both programs. It affects Medicaid-eligible seniors receiving assisted living care, ensuring payments align with income and streamlining service delivery under federal Medicaid options.
SB 187 would revise Montana's Medicaid program by eliminating the termination date for the Medicaid expansion (making it permanent) and adding new coverage for auxiliary personnel services (like community health integration and illness navigation) and traditional healing services (provided by tribal or Indian health facilities). These changes would directly affect Medicaid beneficiaries, particularly in rural and tribal communities, by expanding access to these specific services. The bill also amends existing Medicaid service provisions and repeals outdated sections of the law to implement these updates.
SB 199 revises Montana's Medicaid expansion program (the Montana HELP Act) by introducing monthly "taxpayer integrity fees" for participants meeting specific asset thresholds. It requires fees based on excess real estate value ($5,000+ above homestead limits), vehicle equity ($20,000+ combined value), or agricultural land taxable value ($1,500+ annually), with a base fee of $100 plus $4 per $1,000 over limits. The bill also updates community engagement rules, mandating 80 monthly hours of work-related activities for 19-55-year-olds (with exemptions for medical conditions, caregivers, students, and others). These changes directly affect Medicaid expansion participants owning significant assets or required to meet work participation standards.
