Healthcare (Public Health)

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 13, 2025

LC 3803: Generally revise medicaid services

This bill requires the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services to improve Medicaid customer service by accepting applications and renewals online and by phone, using text messaging and email for communications, and providing phone hotlines with wait time estimates and callback options. It mandates that all written forms be written in plain language and translated into the state's five most commonly spoken languages, while also requiring the department to reopen 10 local public assistance offices by June 30, 2026, based on call volume and geographic accessibility. The legislation also sets a target for 60% of renewals to be processed without member contact by June 2026, requires all new client-facing technology to be mobile-first, and establishes quarterly reporting requirements to the legislature on application volumes, processing times, and office performance metrics.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves Medicaid access through online/phone applications, plain language forms, and multilingual translations, strengthening healthcare services.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates online and phone application access, digital communications via text/email, and plain language forms, advancing technology adoption in healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Public Health

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Dec 20, 2024

LC 1533: Provide for evaluations of defendants in detention centers or state prisons

This bill allows mental fitness examinations for criminal defendants to be conducted at detention centers or state prisons, provided these facilities meet specific health and safety requirements. It requires the Department of Public Health and Human Services to create rules governing how these facilities must handle defendants during evaluations, including provisions for segregation, care, security, and remote examination options. The legislation also amends existing laws to clarify that detention centers must adopt policies permitting these evaluations and establishes guidelines for who pays for the examinations based on who requested them.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill improves mental health evaluations for defendants, enhancing due process and protecting civil rights within criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes mental fitness examination protocols at detention facilities, improving access to mental health services and protecting patient rights through regulated care standards.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 24, 2025

LC 3821: Revise laws related to child abuse and neglect

This bill amends Montana child abuse and neglect laws to prohibit using a parent's vaccination status or opposition to a child's gender transition as grounds for legal action against the family. It establishes that a child transitioning gender with parental support is considered to be in immediate danger, which would trigger emergency removal procedures. The legislation also strengthens existing protections for children in households where partner or family member assault or strangulation has occurred, requiring agencies to prioritize keeping children with victims rather than removing them from homes where the alleged perpetrator is present.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects parental rights regarding vaccination and gender transition, preventing legal action against families, which supports healthcare access and reduces barriers to care.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 15, 2025

LC 1217: Generally revise medicaid laws

This bill revises Montana's Medicaid laws to expand coverage options and improve how the program serves its clients. It directs the Department of Public Health and Human Services to apply for changes that would allow 12 months of continuous Medicaid eligibility for parents, caretaker relatives, and expansion adults without requiring reapplication each year. The legislation also mandates better customer service by enabling online and phone applications, requiring text and email communications, establishing a phone hotline with wait time information, and ensuring digital tools work well on mobile devices. Additionally, the bill creates a Medicaid Client Advisory Board made up of current and former Medicaid recipients and their supporters to provide feedback on program improvements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands Medicaid coverage, improves eligibility duration, and enhances customer service access for healthcare recipients.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Public Health

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Nov 18, 2024

LC 443: Establish adjustment to blindness program

This bill establishes a state program within the Department of Public Health and Human Services to assist Montanans under age 55 with severe visual impairments in achieving independent living goals. The program provides services such as mobility training, Braille instruction, assistive technology, peer counseling, and guide or reader services based on individual needs assessments. Eligibility and specific service criteria will be determined through administrative rules, and applicants who disagree with department decisions have the right to request a fair hearing. The program will become effective on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a state program to assist visually impaired individuals with health-related services like mobility training and assistive technology, expanding access to specialized healthcare support.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill provides assistive technology services to visually impaired individuals, promoting digital equity and accessibility for disabled citizens.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 27, 2025

LC 2794: Reallocate Montana marijuana tax revenue

This bill restructures how Montana allocates marijuana tax revenue, directing funds toward prevention services, law enforcement operations, and local grants rather than general state budgets. It establishes a Marijuana Tax Revenue Accountability Council composed of state agency representatives, behavioral health professionals, and public members to oversee how the money is spent on substance misuse prevention and youth suicide prevention programs. The council will meet quarterly to advise the Department of Public Health and Human Services on grant distributions and prepare an annual impact report, while the state must fund prevention programs through contracts with external service providers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs marijuana tax revenue toward prevention services, law enforcement, and local grants, strengthening state budget allocation for essential public programs.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates marijuana tax revenue to law enforcement operations and prevention services, strengthening criminal justice infrastructure and funding.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill directs marijuana tax revenue toward prevention services, behavioral health professionals, and youth suicide prevention programs, strengthening public health and mental health services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Drug Policy Public Health

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 24, 2025

LC 3027: Increase capacity in the family education and support services program

This bill directs Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services to expand the Family Education and Support Services Program so it can serve all qualified families applying by July 1, 2026. The program, which provides education and support to families, must report annually to the legislature on how families benefit, how the program prepares them for future health care services, and how participants compare to non-participants. The legislation aims to serve a number of families similar to the 2016 levels and is effective from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands Family Education and Support Services Program to serve more families, improving access to health-related support and education services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 30, 2025

LC 2892: Generally revise laws related to immunizations

This bill updates Montana laws governing school immunization records and reporting requirements. It requires schools to maintain written immunization and exemption records for all students while protecting these health records under federal privacy laws. The bill mandates that schools submit deidentified or aggregate immunization data to state and local health departments in a format specified by the Department of Public Health and Human Services. It also clarifies enforcement procedures for students who fail to meet immunization requirements by prohibiting their continued attendance until compliance or exemption is obtained. These changes take effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens public health infrastructure by improving immunization record-keeping, data reporting, and privacy protections for students.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 24, 2025

LC 3074: Generally revise laws related to the supervised practice of dental hygienists

This bill revises Montana laws to allow dental hygienists to provide preventative services in public health facilities and school-based programs without a licensed dentist being physically present on-site. It establishes two types of supervision: general supervision where the dentist need not be on the premises, and public health supervision which permits hygienists to work independently in specific settings like federally qualified health centers and nursing homes. The legislation also creates a new limited access permit system that would allow hygienists to serve patients who face barriers to regular dental care due to age, disability, or financial constraints. Key provisions define which services hygienists can provide under public health supervision, such as fluoride application and sealants, while prohibiting procedures like local anesthesia. The bill grants rulemaking authority to the dental board to set qualifications for permits and identify additional eligible facilities and programs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands access to preventative dental services by allowing hygienists to work independently in public health facilities and schools, improving healthcare accessibility.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 25, 2025

LC 470: Revise laws relating to category D assisted living facilities

This bill updates regulations for Category D assisted living facilities in Montana, allowing them to operate independently or share space with other licensed facilities while limiting occupancy to a maximum of 15 residents. It clarifies that these facilities are not required to use seclusion, chemical, or physical restraints but must obtain prior authorization before using any form of restraint or seclusion. The legislation also establishes a process for diverting individuals from the Montana State Hospital to Category D facilities and requires the Department of Public Health and Human Services to provide technical assistance and a specialized reimbursement model to support these facilities. Additionally, the bill mandates monthly health assessments for Category D residents who are assessed as dangerous to themselves or others.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patient rights by limiting restraint use in assisted living facilities and clarifies regulations for Category D facilities, improving care standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Long-Term Care Public Health

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