Healthcare

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 500: Generally revise laws related to chiropractic practitioners

HB 500 aimed to revise laws related to chiropractic practitioners in Montana. The bill sought to establish a new license endorsement, allowing chiropractors who obtain it to prescribe certain noncontrolled, nonscheduled drugs like muscle relaxants and NSAIDs for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The Board of Chiropractors would have been responsible for setting the educational qualifications and protocols for this prescriptive authority. Additionally, the bill proposed that chiropractic services be included as part of the Montana Medicaid program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands chiropractors' prescriptive authority for noncontrolled drugs, improving patient access to treatment options within healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 526: Adopt the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse license compact

HB 526 proposes that the state join the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) compact. This initiative allows Advanced Practice Registered Nurses licensed in one member state to practice in other compact states without needing to obtain a separate license for each. The bill establishes a framework for uniform licensure requirements and facilitates the exchange of information between states for regulatory and enforcement purposes. Its aim is to streamline the licensing process for APRNs and enhance their ability to provide care across state lines, potentially increasing access to healthcare services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines APRN licensing across states, improving patient access to healthcare services by removing regulatory barriers.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 943: Establish the Montana rare disease advisory council

HB 943 establishes the Montana Rare Disease Advisory Council within the Department of Public Health and Human Services. This 17-member council, composed of patients, caregivers, medical professionals, researchers, and other stakeholders, will provide guidance, education, and recommendations on the needs of individuals with rare diseases in Montana. Its duties include surveying patient needs, developing policy recommendations for improved access to care and treatment, publishing resources, and identifying research opportunities. The council is required to meet regularly and submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature, and the bill includes an appropriation to cover initial costs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes council to develop policy recommendations for improved rare disease care access, directly advancing patient access and treatment resources within healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 621: Allow a local first response entity to establish a peer support program

HB 621 allows local first responder entities, including police departments, sheriff's offices, fire departments, and emergency medical service providers, to establish peer support programs. These programs must have a written policy that outlines qualifications for peer supporters, defines peer support sessions, and ensures confidentiality for participants. The bill prohibits qualified peer supporters from testifying about the content of peer support sessions, with exceptions if an employee has committed or plans a crime, or indicates intent to harm themselves or others.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables peer support programs for first responders, enhancing officer well-being and accountability, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.80% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables peer support programs for first responders' mental health, expanding access to mental health services as a core healthcare component.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes mandatory peer support programs for first responders, enhancing workplace mental health and safety protections through confidentiality and written policies, aligning with workplace safety indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 807: Prohibiting vaccines allowed under an emergency use authorization or undergoing safety trials to be required

HB 807 amends state law to prohibit individuals from being required to receive certain vaccines. Specifically, it mandates that vaccines whose use is allowed under an emergency use authorization (EUA) or those still undergoing safety trials cannot be a requirement. This applies to persons, governmental entities, employers, and public accommodations, preventing them from denying services, employment, or access based on non-receipt of such vaccines. The bill integrates this new prohibition into existing law concerning discrimination based on vaccination status.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill prohibits mandatory EUA/trial vaccines, restricting public health mandate enforcement in healthcare programs per its explicit language.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents employers from denying employment based on non-receipt of EUA/vaccine trial vaccines, protecting workers' rights against mandatory unapproved medical requirements in the workplace.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 867: Revise labor laws relating to the medical assistance program

HB 867 establishes a medical assistance program specifically for licensed chiropractors and veterinarians. This program provides support and monitors rehabilitation for these professionals who are impaired by substance abuse, mental illness, or chronic physical illness. To fund this initiative, the bill allows the respective boards to adjust the license renewal fees for chiropractors and veterinarians. It also updates existing laws concerning the confidentiality and auditing of professional medical assistance programs to include these new licensee groups.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes medical assistance program for impaired chiropractors/vets, funding via license fees to support healthcare workforce well-being and rehabilitation services.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 888: Revise local board of health rules for isolation and quarantine

HB 888 revises the powers of local boards of health concerning isolation and quarantine orders. This bill prohibits local boards of health from requiring individuals to receive a vaccination or other medication as a condition for release from an isolation or quarantine order. It amends existing state law (Section 50-2-116, MCA) that outlines the duties of these boards. The legislation also includes an appropriation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits mandatory vaccinations/meds during quarantine, protecting patient autonomy in health decisions per bill's core provision.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 920: Provide property tax exemption for senior care facilities and housing

HB 920 establishes a temporary property tax exemption for new senior care facilities and housing development projects. Tax-exempt non-profit organizations sponsoring these projects must first petition a local government, which determines if there is a "compelling need" for the project through a public hearing. If approved by the local government, the sponsor can then apply to the department of revenue for the exemption. This bill aims to encourage the development of various affordable housing and care options for seniors aged 55 or 62 and older.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax exemption for senior care facilities, reducing tax burden for affordable housing development.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides tax exemption for senior care facilities to encourage development of affordable housing, directly improving access to senior healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides tax exemption for senior housing development, explicitly aiming to encourage affordable housing construction through local need assessments.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 590: Generally revise laws related to electronic health care records

HB 590 revises laws related to electronic health records, affecting health carriers, healthcare providers, and patients. It requires health carriers to establish and maintain specific application programming interfaces (APIs) for patient and provider access to health information, adhering to federal standards. Additionally, the bill prohibits healthcare providers from "information blocking" and mandates the disclosure of certain sensitive test results, such as those indicating malignancy or genetic markers, to a patient's electronic health record within 72 hours of finalization.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires health carriers to provide API access for patient/provider data, prohibits information blocking, and mandates disclosure of sensitive results - improving patient access and transparency per healthcare support indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 794: Revise pharmacy laws

HB 794 revises general pharmacy laws, impacting pharmacies, pharmacy technicians, and clinical pharmacist practitioners. The bill updates and clarifies definitions, removes the utilization plan requirement for in-state and mail-order pharmacies, and mandates an endorsement for clinical pharmacist practitioners. It also eliminates outdated notification practices for biosimilar drug selection and generic drug signage requirements. Additionally, the bill clarifies pharmacy wholesale distribution licenses and the powers of the Board of Pharmacy, and adjusts provisions for insurance plans regarding out-of-state mail-order pharmacies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUpdates pharmacy regulations to clarify definitions, remove outdated requirements, and mandate clinical pharmacist endorsements, improving operational efficiency and professional practice in healthcare delivery.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare