Sen. Cora Neumann

Maddy summarySB 394 would have expanded Montana's workers' compensation system to cover posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for eligible first responders. It defines "first responder" to include firefighters, law enforcement officers, detention center/prison staff, and emergency care providers, requiring a diagnosis per the latest DSM-5 manual that links PTSD directly to work duties. The bill amended existing laws to allow PTSD claims under workers' compensation, subject to standard procedural requirements. However, this bill was vetoed by the Governor on June 9, 2025, so it did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 504 proposes creating a $75 million grant program to fund permanent supportive housing projects in Montana. The bill would provide grants to nonprofit organizations for constructing, rehabilitating, or acquiring housing that offers long-term affordable leases (for residents earning 60% or less of the area median income) and onsite support services like mental health care, job assistance, and addiction recovery. It allocates $50 million from the general fund and $25 million from a behavioral health fund, with grants disbursed based on project proposals and adherence to specific conditions, including outcome tracking. The program, administered by the Montana Department of Commerce, aims to directly support homeless or at-risk individuals through housing and integrated services, effective July 1, 2025. (Note: The bill died in process in May 2025 and did not become law.)

Maddy summarySB 372 establishes minimum nurse-to-patient ratios for Montana hospitals, requiring specific limits in key units (e.g., 1 nurse per critical ER patient, 2 per ICU patient, 4 per medical-surgical unit). It mandates hospitals to create annual staffing plans with input from direct-care nurses, form committees where at least half the members are frontline nurses, and publicly post these plans. Hospitals must track and report actual nurse-to-patient ratios for each shift and unit, ensuring transparency for staff, patients, and the public. The bill directly affects all Montana hospitals licensed by the Department of Public Health, requiring concrete changes to staffing practices and reporting.

Maddy summarySB 371 would create a tax incentive by allowing Montana taxpayers to subtract income from Montana-produced goods from their individual and corporate income tax calculations. It directly affects businesses and individuals selling goods manufactured or grown within Montana, reducing their taxable income for those specific sales. The bill amends Montana's tax code to define "Montana-produced goods" and establish this subtraction as a specific adjustment to federal taxable income. This policy change aims to support local producers by lowering their state tax burden on sales of locally made products.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state licensure system for doulas, defining them as nonmedical professionals who provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum. Beginning January 1, 2027, individuals wishing to practice as state-licensed doulas must obtain a license from the Department of Labor and Industry. Licensure requires paying fees, completing specific competencies, and adhering to professional conduct standards. Additionally, the bill allows the Department of Public Health and Human Services to provide Medicaid coverage for services offered by state-licensed doulas.

Maddy summarySB 503 allows for the use of expired opioid antagonists, such as naloxone, to treat opioid-related drug overdoses. This bill grants partial immunity from liability to school employees, eligible recipients, medical practitioners, and pharmacists who administer or distribute these expired medications in good faith. It amends existing law to explicitly permit schools to stock and use expired opioid antagonists and extends immunity to school personnel, except in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct. The bill's purpose is to broaden access to life-saving opioid antagonist medication by permitting the use of expired doses.

Maddy summarySB 246 establishes new rules for how Montana governmental bodies can purchase food products. It allows for the direct purchase of food produced in Montana, rather than requiring standard bidding procedures, if certain conditions are met. These conditions include the Montana-produced food being of equivalent quality and sufficient quantity, and its bid not exceeding or only reasonably exceeding the lowest bid for out-of-state products without needing additional budget. The bill also requires the state department to adopt rules for this purchasing method and establish reporting requirements for these food procurements.

Maddy summarySB 211 revises the emergency use of epinephrine in school settings. The bill expands the definition of "medication" that students with asthma, severe allergies, or anaphylaxis can possess and self-administer to include epinephrine nasal spray. It also allows public and nonpublic schools to maintain a stock supply of epinephrine nasal spray, in addition to autoinjectable epinephrine, for emergency administration by school nurses or other authorized personnel. These changes provide schools with additional options for responding to severe allergic reactions.