Rep. Jodee Etchart

Maddy summaryHB 435 revises laws related to professional license discipline across various state boards and programs. The bill standardizes definitions of misconduct, available sanctions, and reinstatement processes for professional licenses. It establishes duties for license applicants and current licensees to report misconduct or actions taken against their licenses, providing immunity for good-faith reporting. Key provisions include clarifying a maximum 3-year period for probationary licenses and standardizing the range of sanctions, which can include fines up to $5,000 per violation.

Maddy summaryHB 414 revises laws related to professional licensing applications, affecting individuals seeking occupational licenses and the state's licensing boards. The bill creates standardized procedures for issuing provisional licenses to applicants who meet most requirements but have specific pending conditions, such as passing an exam or completing supervised work. It also allows professionals licensed in good standing in another state to practice in Montana for up to 21 days per year without a Montana license for specific purposes. Additionally, the bill establishes that screening panels will review nonroutine license applications, with processes for granting, denying, or restricting licenses and opportunities for applicants to request hearings.

Maddy summaryHB 143 revises the definition of "treating physician" within the state's Workers' Compensation Act. This bill expands the definition to explicitly include physician assistants (PAs). A key provision is the removal of any requirement for PAs to be in proximity to other medical providers to qualify as a treating physician for these purposes. This change affects how workers' compensation claims are managed and potentially broadens the types of healthcare providers recognized for injured workers.

Maddy summaryHB 198 revises laws that prohibit contracts restricting the practice of specific healthcare providers. The bill prevents employment or professional relationship contracts from limiting a healthcare provider's right to practice their licensed profession in any area or for any period after their relationship ends. It also prohibits contracts from restricting their ability to treat or solicit current patients of their former employer or partner. This applies to a range of providers, including psychiatrists, psychologists, various counselors, nurses, and physician assistants, but does not apply to contracts for the sale of a practice.

Maddy summaryHB 227 establishes a contingent litigation fund to help smaller occupational licensing boards and programs cover significant legal costs. This fund is specifically for expenses over $15,000 related to disciplinary actions against licensees, benefiting boards with an average annual revenue of $200,000 or less. It is funded by an annual fee, capped at $25 per licensee, collected as part of license applications or renewals. The fee collection pauses if the fund balance reaches $300,000.

Maddy summaryHB 238 revises laws concerning mental and physical evaluations for individuals seeking or holding professional licenses. The bill establishes a standard process allowing licensing boards or the Department of Labor and Industry to require an evaluation if there is an objective and reasonable belief that a licensee or applicant poses a significant risk of substantial harm to public health and safety. These evaluations determine how any mental or physical impairment, disability, or substance use might impact professional performance and safety. Refusal to comply with such an evaluation can lead to the summary suspension of a license or the halting of an application.

Maddy summaryHB 241 enacts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), allowing licensed psychologists to provide services across state lines. This bill enables psychologists licensed in a compact state to offer telepsychology services or temporary in-person services (up to 30 days annually) in other compact states without needing separate licenses. It establishes a framework for mutual recognition of licenses, defines requirements for cross-state practice, and creates a system for sharing licensure and disciplinary information among member states. The compact aims to increase public access to psychological services while maintaining regulatory oversight and accountability for psychologists. It directly affects licensed psychologists and their clients across participating states.

Maddy summaryHB 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.

Maddy summaryHB 459 would amend Montana law to increase the number of physician assistants on the Board of Medical Examiners from one to two. This change directly affects the composition of the 13-member board, which oversees medical licensing and regulation in Montana. The bill specifically revises Section 2-15-1731 of the Montana Code to add a second physician assistant position to the existing board structure. The bill was introduced in the 2025 legislative session but was withdrawn on February 14, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 240 requires all digital map providers to update their electronic maps by August 1, 2025, to show current navigable river locations and mark historical river areas as "Private land surface owned by adjacent landowner. Permission required." It clarifies that public recreational use of rivers does not permit big game hunting from watercraft or across rivers, and hunting on islands (except for waterfowl using bows/crossbows) requires landowner permission. The bill also directs the state library to annually update its statewide map using data from the Department of Natural Resources to ensure accurate river mapping.