HB 437 Montana House · 2025 Regular Session

Provide for dismissal of certain criminal charges against health care provider

HB 437 would have allowed health care providers in Montana to request the dismissal of criminal charges related to their professional conduct. If a provider filed such a motion, the state would be required to prove in court that the provider's actions were knowingly or purposely committed, not merely negligent, and that they were outside the accepted standards of care. If the state failed to meet this burden of proof, the court would dismiss the complaint, information, or indictment against the health care provider. The bill aimed to provide protections for health care providers.
Bill status died 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
House Passage
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 7, 2025 Last action May 20, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB0437_1(5).pdf HB0437_2.pdf · 2 edits
MINOR
The bill was renumbered from HB 437.1 to HB 437.2, likely indicating a revision or amendment. The core text remains largely the same, but the word 'CRIMINAL' was explicitly added to the title of Section 1 and several other instances to clarify that the dismissal protections apply specifically to criminal charges, not civil lawsuits. This clarification ensures the law's intent is clear to courts and legal professionals.
Scope change
The bill's scope was narrowed or clarified by explicitly specifying that the dismissal protections apply only to 'criminal complaints, information, and indictments,' removing any ambiguity regarding civil cases.
DEFINITION

Added the word 'CRIMINAL' to the section title and multiple instances within the text to specify that the dismissal protections apply only to criminal charges, not civil lawsuits.

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill number from HB 437.1 to HB 437.2 and adjusted the header formatting.

Floor votes · House Feb 25, 2025

How they voted

7029
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 100
Feb 25, 2025
D Democratic42
41 Yea 1 Nay
97% Yea
R Republican58
29 Yea 28 Nay 1
50% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
23
Key actions
3
Committee
3
Feb 25, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (70-29-1)
house
Feb 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Report - (H) Business and Labor
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Business and Labor
lower
Feb 10, 2025
Committee
(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Business and Labor
lower
Feb 7, 2025
Introduced
(H) Introduced
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Ed Stafman
Ed Stafman
DDemocratic
MT
59