Healthcare

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 14, 2025

LC 2883: Revise laws that prohibit contracts that restrict practice of health care providers

This bill amends Montana law to protect mental health and behavioral health professionals from restrictive employment contracts. It directly affects psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, nurses, physician assistants, and other licensed behavioral health providers by prohibiting their employers from including non-compete clauses that limit their ability to treat current patients or work in their field after leaving a job. The law specifically bans contracts from restricting these providers from practicing in any geographic area or maintaining relationships with patients they currently serve, while excluding contracts related to buying or selling a medical practice. The changes apply immediately upon passage and cover contracts made or renewed after the effective date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects mental health professionals from restrictive contracts, improving patient access and supporting healthcare workforce stability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 24, 2025

LC 1903: Eliminate the tobacco prevention advisory board

This bill eliminates the Tobacco Prevention Advisory Board in Montana by repealing the section of state law that established it. It modifies existing tobacco settlement funding rules to remove the requirement that money from the tobacco prevention account be used to support the advisory board. The changes affect how state funds from tobacco settlement proceeds are allocated, specifically allowing those funds to be used only for tobacco disease prevention programs and Children's Health Insurance Program matching without any portion going to the advisory board. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage and approval by the legislature.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill defunds the Tobacco Prevention Advisory Board by eliminating it and restricting how tobacco settlement funds can be used, limiting government oversight and program allocation.75% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill eliminates Tobacco Prevention Advisory Board and restricts tobacco settlement funding use, limiting public health initiatives and disease prevention programs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Public Health

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 6, 2025

LC 821: Implementing cost reporting for certain Medicaid service provider types

This bill establishes a standardized cost reporting system for specific Medicaid service providers in Montana, including those offering mental health, substance use disorder, developmental disabilities, and senior long-term care services. The Department of Public Health and Human Services will create a uniform reporting format that providers must use to submit actual expenditure and revenue data from their most recent fiscal year, with exemptions determined by the department and data collection occurring at least every four years. The department will analyze this data alongside claims information and national statistics to produce a report on Medicaid rate adequacy, which will inform future budget requests to adjust reimbursement rates as needed. This process requires legislative funding and includes provisions for data protection, provider consultation during format development, and potential contracting with external experts to assist with reporting.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes standardized cost reporting for Medicaid providers including mental health and long-term care, improving transparency and accountability in healthcare service delivery.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Public Health Substance Abuse

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 12, 2025

LC 1575: Regulate restraints on women while giving childbirth

This bill restricts the use of restraints on pregnant inmates during labor and delivery, prohibiting leg and waist restraints entirely while allowing other restraints only in extraordinary circumstances such as when an inmate is a flight risk or poses a threat to themselves or others. The legislation requires that any restraints used be applied in the least restrictive manner necessary and mandates their removal once the flight risk or threat is mitigated or at the request of a healthcare professional. It defines restraints to include handcuffs, shackles, belly chains, and other devices that restrict movement, ensuring these rules apply to all such equipment used in detention centers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts restraints on pregnant inmates, protecting civil rights and improving humane treatment in corrections, aligning with criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patient rights during childbirth by restricting restraints, ensuring safe medical care for pregnant inmates.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Women's Health

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 15, 2025

LC 1460: Authorizing implementation of the certified community behavioral health clinic model

This bill authorizes Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services to implement a certified community behavioral health clinic model, directly affecting healthcare providers and individuals receiving behavioral health services. It requires the department to establish a program by October 1, 2026, set reimbursement rates based on actual costs, and monitor clinic performance through quality measures and cost analysis. Clinics must provide targeted case management, peer support, and outreach to reduce emergency department visits, while coordinating with other providers to prevent service duplication. The legislation also mandates quarterly reporting to legislative committees on implementation progress, patient outcomes, and cost savings, and includes provisions for an incentive program for clinics demonstrating exceptional results.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill authorizes implementation of certified community behavioral health clinic model, expands access to mental health services, and establishes funding mechanisms for behavioral health care.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Primary Care Public Health

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 24, 2025

LC 300: Revise telehealth and telemedicine laws

This bill updates Montana's telehealth and telemedicine laws to allow out-of-state health care providers to register and offer services to patients within the state. It establishes registration requirements for non-Montana providers, including verification of active licenses from other jurisdictions and checks for disciplinary history over the past five years. The legislation also mandates that registered providers notify state authorities within five business days of any license restrictions or disciplinary actions in their home state, with the Department of Labor and Industry empowered to discipline noncompliant providers. Additionally, the bill removes the requirement for applicants to appear in person during registration and defines key terms like synchronous and asynchronous telehealth services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands telehealth access by allowing out-of-state providers, improving patient access to healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Telehealth

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 21, 2025

LC 898: Generally revise laws regarding gender transition treatment

This bill amends Montana laws to establish a 25-year statute of limitations for tort claims related to gender transition treatment received during minority, allowing lawsuits to be filed within four years of discovering an injury's cause. It requires private insurance plans and public employee and university system insurance to provide reciprocal coverage for detransition treatment when gender transition treatment is covered, ensuring those who receive transition care can also access reversal procedures. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for Medicaid and Healthy Montana Kids to cover detransition treatment in certain situations, while also amending existing insurance statutes to maintain coverage continuity for retirees and their families.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands insurance coverage for detransition treatment when transition care is covered, protecting patient access to healthcare services and rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 24, 2025

LC 4008: Generally revise laws related to mentally ill individuals

This bill revises Montana laws governing mental health holds and legal proceedings for individuals with mental disorders. It establishes a 72-hour mental health hold that allows professionals to detain individuals who cannot care for themselves or pose a danger to themselves or others, requiring evaluation within the first 24 hours and notification of legal authorities. The legislation also permits waiving an individual's right to be physically present at hearings under specific conditions, such as when their presence would seriously worsen their mental condition, while maintaining that rights to counsel and treatment cannot be waived. Additionally, the bill clarifies procedures for minors and outlines how costs for psychiatric examinations and commitment proceedings are handled.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens mental health services by establishing 72-hour holds for individuals who cannot care for themselves, improving access to necessary mental health care and safety protocols.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Nov 19, 2024

LC 101: Revise professional licensing laws to correct errata

This bill corrects errors in Montana's professional licensing laws by updating statutory citations for licensed social workers, professional counselors, addiction counselors, marriage and family therapists, and behavioral health peer support specialists. It also amends Section 28-2-724 of the Montana Code Annotated to clarify that employment contracts with these health care providers cannot restrict their ability to practice, treat patients, or solicit patients after leaving a job or partnership. The legislation directs the code commissioner to renumber certain sections into Title 37, Chapter 39 to align with the corrected citations. These changes directly affect the licensing framework for mental health and behavioral health professionals in Montana and ensure their legal protections against restrictive employment agreements are accurately reflected in state law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects healthcare providers' ability to practice and treat patients post-employment, preventing restrictive non-compete clauses that could limit patient access to care.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 20, 2025

LC 3079: Provide for parental right to access child's health care information

This bill establishes parental rights to access their children's health care information in Montana, requiring medical providers to share records with parents unless specific exceptions apply. The law mandates that hospitals obtain parental consent before performing surgery on minors and requires providers to supply health information to parents within 10 days of a request, unless the parent is under investigation for abuse or neglect or a court has limited their decision-making authority. Key provisions allow parents to consent to medical procedures, including telemedicine visits, with identity verification requirements, while maintaining emergency exceptions for situations involving imminent harm to the child. The bill also clarifies that minors who can legally consent to their own care without parental permission retain exclusive rights to access information related to those specific treatments.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens parental access to children's healthcare information and requires provider cooperation, enhancing family involvement in minor healthcare decisions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Telehealth

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