Revise laws prohibiting contracts that restrict practice to include physicians of all specialties

This bill expands Montana's existing law that prevents healthcare contracts from restricting how providers work after leaving their jobs to include more mental health and behavioral health professionals. Previously, these protections only applied to physicians, but the new law now covers psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, addiction counselors, marriage and family therapists, and behavioral health peer support specialists. The changes prohibit employers from stopping these covered providers from treating their current patients or working in any area after their employment ends, except when a practice is being sold or purchased. This update aims to ensure broader protections against restrictive non-compete agreements across the behavioral health sector.