Maddy summaryHB 377 revises Montana law to ensure parents generally have access to their minor child's health care records. It requires health providers to give parents access to a child's health information within 3 days of a request (or provide contact details for the records' location), with exceptions for court-limited parental rights, child abuse investigations, or government guardianship. The bill also clarifies that minors who can consent to certain care (like mental health services) have exclusive control over information related to that specific care, removing a minor's ability to enforce privacy violations by non-HIPAA-covered providers. This primarily affects parents, minors seeking care without parental consent, and health care providers managing minors' records.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 7 (HR 7) requests that members of the Montana State Legislature, when introducing or amending bills to include new spending, also identify existing programs from which funds would be reallocated to cover those new appropriations. This means any bill proposing new expenditures would need to specify how those funds would be offset within the state budget.
Maddy summaryHB 478 would allow organizations, such as churches and event hosts, to establish volunteer security teams. The bill outlines requirements for these organizations, including having an emergency action plan and conducting background checks for volunteers. Individuals serving on these teams must meet specific eligibility criteria, such as holding a concealed weapon permit or firearms certification and completing regular training. It also grants civil immunity to volunteer security team members during a declared emergency at an organization's event or property.
Maddy summaryHB 376 would have required state agencies to provide information requested by legislators within 5 legislative days during a session. If an agency failed to respond, a legislator could file a complaint with the appropriations committee. This committee would then hold a hearing and could vote to reduce the agency's budget by up to 5%. The hearing's outcome would be shared with the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker, allowing for potential disciplinary action against the agency director.
Maddy summaryHB 577 proposes a change to the appointment and tenure of the state Highway Patrol Chief. Currently, the Chief holds office until termination for cause. This bill would amend existing law to state that the Highway Patrol Chief would instead "serve at the pleasure of the attorney general." This means the Attorney General could remove the Chief without needing to show cause, and this change would apply to any new appointments made on or after the bill's effective date.
Maddy summaryHB 728 revises campaign finance laws by prohibiting certain public entities from making campaign contributions. The bill makes it unlawful for public entities, such as unions, hospitals, school districts, or municipalities that receive state or federal funding, to make contributions, expenditures, or electioneering communications for a candidate's campaign. It also prohibits candidates from soliciting or accepting such contributions. These prohibitions do not apply to individual public employees, and violations would result in civil penalties.
Maddy summaryHB 805 aims to revise existing workers' compensation laws. The bill would make individuals who are unlawfully employed aliens ineligible to receive workers' compensation benefits. Additionally, it mandates that an insurer must close a workers' compensation claim if the claimant leaves the United States or certain territories while their claim is active. These changes directly affect individuals applying for workers' compensation and the insurers responsible for processing claims.
Maddy summaryHB 938 revises lobbying laws, primarily affecting lobbyists who work for state or local government agencies or nongovernmental organizations. It requires these lobbyists to file a sworn disclosure stating whether their client receives federal funds. Additionally, lobbyists must verify under oath that their compensation is not derived from federal money, supported by a disclosure tracing the use of those federal funds. The bill also establishes a $10 filing fee for this disclosure and outlines penalties for non-compliance or false statements.
Maddy summaryHB 727 revises workers' compensation insurance laws to enhance oversight of market competition. It requires the commissioner to annually measure market concentration among workers' compensation insurers, including the state fund, using the Herfindahl-Hirschman index. If this index indicates a non-competitive market (over 1,800), the commissioner must hold a public hearing to confirm the finding. Following confirmation, the commissioner is mandated to implement corrective actions. These measures can include promoting new insurers, limiting large mergers, or restricting premiums written to a monopoly carrier, all aimed at restoring a reasonable degree of competition.
Maddy summaryHB 653 revises state law regarding parental access to a child's health care information and consent for medical care. The bill generally requires parental consent for most medical procedures, examinations, prescription drugs, and mental health services for children, with exceptions for emergencies. It also mandates that health care providers make a child's health information available to a parent within 10 days of a request. However, parental access to this information is not required if a government entity is the child's guardian, a court order limits parental rights, or the parent is under investigation for abuse or a crime against the child.