SB 479 Montana Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Generally revise laws related to chemical abortion

SB 479 proposes to revise Montana laws around chemical abortion by requiring health care providers to physically examine patients, be present during administration, schedule a follow-up within 7 days, and provide disposal kits (catch kits and medical waste bags) for patients to return used materials. It holds manufacturers of abortion drugs responsible for environmental cleanup if drug byproducts contaminate wastewater systems, with fines up to $20,000 per violation. The bill exempts life-threatening medical emergencies and prohibits prosecuting patients for violations. This legislation directly affects health care providers prescribing abortion drugs and pharmaceutical manufacturers, with penalties including felony charges for providers violating the requirements. The bill died in process in May 2025 and was never enacted.

Issues: ✗ Healthcare

Bill status died 2 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Failed

Mar 2025

Governor

Introduced Feb 25, 2025 Last action May 23, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB0479 Legal Review Note.pdf → SB0479_1(2).pdf · 7 edits

MODERATE

The document was converted from a legal review note into the official text of Senate Bill 479, which establishes new regulations for chemical abortions. The bill mandates that providers must physically examine patients and be present during the procedure, requires a follow-up visit within 7 days, and imposes strict disposal rules for medical waste. It also places liability on drug manufacturers for environmental cleanup if abortion drugs enter wastewater systems.

Scope change

The bill now applies to all health care providers administering chemical abortions in or affecting interstate commerce, with a specific exemption for procedures necessary to preserve a mother's life.

REQUIREMENT

Requires health care providers to physically examine patients and be physically present at the location of the chemical abortion.

Mandates a follow-up visit to assess the patient's condition within 7 days of drug administration.

Requires providers to give patients a catch kit and medical waste bag for proper disposal of abortion drugs.

ENFORCEMENT

Establishes felony penalties with fines up to $10,000 and up to 3 years imprisonment for providers violating the new conditions.

Imposes fines up to $20,000 on drug manufacturers if endocrine-disrupting chemicals from abortion drugs are found in wastewater.

DEFINITION

Defines key terms including 'abortion drug,' 'catch kit,' 'medical waste bag,' and 'unborn child' to establish the scope of the law.

SCOPE

Explicitly states that patients cannot be prosecuted for violating the bill or conspiring to violate it.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 6, 2025

How they voted

23–27

Failed

Total votes 50

Mar 6, 2025

D Democratic18

18 Nay

100% Nay

R Republican32

23 Yea 9 Nay

71% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 6, 2025

Vote failed

Senate Vote: fail (23-27)

senate

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

(S) Committee Report - (S) Judiciary

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Judiciary

upper

Feb 26, 2025

Committee

(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Judiciary

upper

Feb 25, 2025

Introduced

(S) Introduced

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors