This bill adopts the Social Work Licensure Compact, which would allow licensed social workers to practice across multiple states with a single multistate license instead of needing separate licenses in each state. The legislation creates a commission to oversee the compact and establish a shared data system for tracking licensure, disciplinary actions, and continuing education among member states. Key provisions include mutual recognition of licenses, support for military families, and the ability to use telehealth services while maintaining each state's authority to protect public health and safety. Social workers would remain accountable to the laws of the state where their client is located at the time care is provided, even while holding a multistate license.
This bill prohibits the sale of any edible products containing hemp within Montana unless those products are authorized as drugs by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It defines hemp to include the Cannabis sativa L. plant and all its parts, derivatives, and cannabinoids, while explicitly excluding synthetic cannabinoids. The law takes effect immediately upon passage and approval, directly impacting retailers and consumers by restricting access to hemp-based edibles.
This bill directs Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services to request a federal waiver that would prevent SNAP benefit recipients from using their benefits to buy soft drinks and candy. The legislation defines soft drinks as nonalcoholic beverages with sweeteners and candy as sugar-based treats that do not require refrigeration, while excluding milk, juice, and similar items. If approved, the waiver would allow retailers to block these purchases at checkout, and the state would report annually on spending patterns and waiver status. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage, requiring the department to implement restrictions within six months of federal approval if granted.
This bill revises how Montana allocates tobacco settlement proceeds and special state revenue funds to support Medicaid and health services for children, adults who are aged, blind, or disabled. It designates 32% of tobacco settlement money for statewide tobacco prevention programs aimed at keeping children from starting and helping adults quit, while using 17% to match federal funds for programs like the Children's Health Insurance Program and home and community-based services for elderly or disabled residents. The legislation also establishes a special revenue account to cover costs associated with expanded health insurance enrollment and allows the state to adjust eligibility requirements for children's health insurance if funding is insufficient. These changes directly affect state funding streams for public health initiatives and Medicaid-related services without altering existing benefit structures.
This bill revises how Montana allocates tobacco settlement funds, changing the percentages distributed between two state accounts. Under the new rules, 32% of tobacco settlement proceeds will fund statewide tobacco disease prevention programs aimed at preventing children from using tobacco and helping adults quit, while 17% will be used to match federal funds for the Children's Health Insurance Program. The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services will manage the prevention programs and must follow established national standards when implementing them. The changes take effect on July 1, 2025, and any unspent funds from these accounts must be transferred to the state trust fund within two years.
This bill prohibits Montana state and local governments from creating laws or policies that restrict pregnancy centers from operating without offering or promoting abortion services. It directly affects private nonprofit organizations that provide pregnancy-related counseling, testing, and support services to women and families. The legislation defines pregnancy centers as entities that promote childbirth and alternatives to abortion, while explicitly banning regulations that would require them to offer abortions, distribute abortion-inducing drugs, refer patients for abortions, or display pro-abortion advertisements. Additionally, the bill prevents governments from penalizing centers for providing prenatal care, parenting resources, or other pregnancy-related services based on their stance against abortion. The law includes specific definitions for terms like abortion, contraception, and ectopic pregnancy to clarify what services are protected under the act.
This Montana bill prohibits employers, government entities, and public accommodations from requiring individuals to receive vaccines that are only authorized under emergency use or are still undergoing safety trials. It also bans discrimination against people based on their vaccination status or whether they possess an immunity passport, with exceptions for schools and day-care facilities. The law allows employers to recommend vaccines and permits health care facilities to ask about vaccination status if they implement reasonable accommodations for unvaccinated individuals. These provisions aim to prevent mandatory vaccination requirements for certain vaccines while protecting individuals from discrimination related to their vaccination choices.
This bill establishes the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, requiring employers with 10 or more employees to provide paid sick leave to their workers. Under the new law, employees earn at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked, up to a maximum of 80 hours per year, with the option to carry unused leave forward to the next year. The paid leave can be used for personal illness, family medical needs, domestic violence situations, sexual assault, or preventive health care, and employers must maintain confidential records of leave requests. The Department of Labor and Industry is authorized to enforce the policy, while employers offering similar leave through collective bargaining agreements or providing more generous benefits may qualify for exceptions.
This bill revises Montana state law to define "sex" strictly in biological terms based on chromosomes, reproductive systems, and physical characteristics present at birth, rather than gender identity or subjective experience. It directly affects numerous state statutes covering areas like employment discrimination, healthcare access, voting regulations, and public services by standardizing how sex is interpreted across the legal code. The key provision establishes that sex is limited to two biological categories - male and female - determined by genetic and physical indicators such as XX or XY chromosomes and reproductive anatomy. By amending over 50 existing sections of the Montana Code Annotated, the bill ensures consistent application of this definition in laws related to equal pay, anti-discrimination protections, hospital admissions, and other public policies.
This bill establishes a licensing system for experimental treatment centers in Montana, requiring operators to obtain a license before providing services. It creates new administrative rules that set minimum standards for facility safety, operational procedures, inspections, and data collection on treatment outcomes and adverse events. The legislation also amends the state's Right to Try Act to clarify that insurance regulations do not apply to direct agreements between healthcare providers and patients for experimental treatments. Additionally, it sets specific fees for license applications and renewals to cover administrative costs.
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Licensing
