SB 82 Montana Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Establish adjustment to blindness program

SB 82 establishes a new program within Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services to support individuals under age 55 with severe visual impairments in achieving independent living goals. The bill defines "severe visual impairment" as a disability that significantly hinders daily tasks even with correction, and outlines specific services including mobility training, Braille instruction, assistive technology, and peer counseling. Eligibility is determined by the department based on established criteria, with services provided based on available funds and consumer needs, while also guaranteeing a fair hearing for those disagreeing with decisions. The program takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to Montana residents meeting the defined criteria.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2024
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Signed into Law
Apr 2025
Introduced Dec 27, 2024 Signed Apr 4, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 7 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB0082_X(4).pdf SB0082_X(5).pdf · 2 edits
MINOR
The bill text shows minor formatting adjustments, such as the removal of extra blank lines and the elimination of bracketed placeholder text regarding the effective date. These changes do not alter the substantive policy, scope, or legal requirements of the legislation.
TECHNICAL

Removed extra blank lines and editorial bracketed text from the effective date section.

Adjusted line breaks and spacing in the summary of the bill's purpose.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 4, 2025 · House Mar 20, 2025

How they voted

446
Passed
Total votes 50
Feb 4, 2025
D Democratic18
18 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican32
26 Yea 6 Nay
81% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
43
Key actions
9
Committee
6
Apr 3, 2025
Signed into law
(S) Signed by Governor
upper
Mar 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Signed by Speaker
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Signed by President
upper
Mar 20, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (84-14-2)
house
Feb 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Report - (H) Human Services
lower
Feb 18, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Human Services
lower
Feb 5, 2025
Committee
(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Human Services
lower
Feb 4, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (44-6)
senate
Jan 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Report - (S) Public Health, Welfare and Safety
upper
Jan 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Public Health, Welfare and Safety
upper
Jan 14, 2025
Committee
(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Public Health, Welfare and Safety
upper
Dec 27, 2024
Introduced
(S) Introduced
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Mike Yakawich
Mike Yakawich
RRepublican
MT
24