Healthcare (Medical Licensing)

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 14, 2025

LC 2875: Increase physician assistant membership on the board of medical examiners

This bill proposes changing the composition of Montana's Board of Medical Examiners by increasing the number of physician assistants from one to two members while reducing the number of doctors of medicine from five to four. The legislation directly affects the state medical board's membership structure and would alter how medical licensing and disciplinary decisions are made. Under the new provisions, the board would still include one doctor of osteopathy, one podiatrist, one nutritionist, one emergency care provider, and two public members alongside the adjusted numbers of physicians and physician assistants. This change aims to increase representation of physician assistants on the board while maintaining the total membership count at twelve.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases physician assistant representation on medical board, potentially improving patient care oversight and diversifying medical decision-making.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 6, 2025

LC 635: Adopting the social work licensure compact

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill facilitates social work licensure across states, improving access to mental health and social services professionals, which supports healthcare delivery and patient access.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly mentions support for military families as a key provision, which benefits veterans and their dependents through streamlined social work services.70% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Public Health Telehealth Memorials & Recognition

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 24, 2025

LC 457: Establishing a board of physical, rehabilitative, and developmental healthcare professionals

This bill creates a new Board of Physical, Rehabilitative, and Developmental Health Care Professionals in Montana to oversee licensing for several health professions. The board will consist of 12 members representing athletic trainers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and the public. It consolidates authority currently held by separate boards for athletic trainers, occupational therapy practitioners, physical therapy examiners, and speech-language pathologists and audiologists into this single new board. The board will establish licensure criteria, set fees, and issue licenses for these professions while the Department of Labor and Industry handles administrative tasks. This change affects professionals in these fields who currently hold separate licenses and will now fall under one unified regulatory body.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a new oversight board to consolidate and regulate healthcare professional licensing, improving standards and patient protection in Montana.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 9, 2025

LC 2877: Adopt the psychology interjurisdictional compact

This bill adopts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to allow licensed psychologists to practice across state lines through telepsychology and temporary in-person services. It creates a system where psychologists licensed in one compact state can provide remote mental health services to clients in other participating states without needing separate licenses in each location. The legislation also establishes a coordinated database for sharing licensure and disciplinary information between states to protect public safety and includes rules for temporary practice authorization and adverse action notifications. This agreement applies only to temporary practice and telepsychology, not to permanent in-person practice, and requires psychologists to follow the laws of each state where they provide services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands access to mental health services by allowing cross-state telepsychology practice, improving patient access to care without requiring multiple licenses.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enables telepsychology services across state lines, expanding access to mental health care through digital platforms and technology.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Mental Health

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 24, 2025

LC 3376: Authorize speech-language pathology aides and audiology aides

This bill authorizes the creation of speech-language pathology aides and audiology aides in Montana without requiring them to hold a professional license. Under the new rules, these aides must work under the supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist for at least 20% of their time and cannot perform tasks requiring independent clinical judgment. The bill gives the professional licensing board authority to establish specific qualifications and define the scope of work for these support staff members. This change aims to expand access to support services while maintaining oversight through licensed professionals.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational support by authorizing speech-language pathology and audiology aides, improving access to specialized services for students without requiring full licensure for aides.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands healthcare workforce by creating new aide roles, improving patient access to speech and hearing services without restricting existing professional standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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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

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Tags Licensing

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

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Public Health

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 140: Adopting the social work licensure compact

SB 140 would adopt Montana into the Social Work Licensure Compact, enabling social workers licensed in Montana (their "home state") to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. The bill creates a "multistate license" system, allowing licensed social workers to provide services across state lines while maintaining each state's authority to regulate practice and address disciplinary issues in the state where the client is located. This directly affects licensed social workers seeking to practice beyond Montana, particularly those serving military families or addressing workforce shortages in rural areas. The compact aims to reduce licensing barriers, improve access to social work services, and facilitate telehealth practice while preserving state-level regulatory oversight for public safety.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables cross-state practice for social workers, improving access to mental health services and aligning with healthcare access goals per bill's multistate license system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Telehealth

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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

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 76: Generally revise laws related to the board of behavioral health

HB 76 revises laws concerning the Board of Behavioral Health. The bill establishes certification and regulation for "family peer support specialists," individuals who use their personal experience to support parents and caregivers of children with significant physical, developmental, or behavioral health needs. It also adds family peer support to the list of practices regulated by the board and provides a specific licensure exemption for religious officials.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes certification for family peer support specialists in behavioral health, expanding regulated mental health services under board oversight.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing