Healthcare

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 371: Ban mRNA vaccinations in Montana for humans

House Bill 371 aimed to prohibit the administration of gene-based vaccines, including those using messenger RNA (mRNA) or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) technology, to humans within the state of Montana. The bill proposed that anyone providing or administering such a vaccine would be guilty of a misdemeanor, facing a $500 fine for each incident. It also required the relevant licensure board to review the license of any professional who violated this prohibition. This legislation would directly affect healthcare providers and individuals seeking these specific types of vaccines in Montana.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBans mRNA vaccines, restricting access to a key public health measure and healthcare service, directly limiting medical treatment options.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

Track

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 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 76: Generally revise laws related to the board of behavioral health

HB 76 revises laws concerning the Board of Behavioral Health. The bill establishes certification and regulation for "family peer support specialists," individuals who use their personal experience to support parents and caregivers of children with significant physical, developmental, or behavioral health needs. It also adds family peer support to the list of practices regulated by the board and provides a specific licensure exemption for religious officials.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes certification for family peer support specialists in behavioral health, expanding regulated mental health services under board oversight.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Montana · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 319: Generally revise health care laws related to doulas

This bill establishes a state licensure system for doulas, defining them as nonmedical professionals who provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum. Beginning January 1, 2027, individuals wishing to practice as state-licensed doulas must obtain a license from the Department of Labor and Industry. Licensure requires paying fees, completing specific competencies, and adhering to professional conduct standards. Additionally, the bill allows the Department of Public Health and Human Services to provide Medicaid coverage for services offered by state-licensed doulas.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes licensure standards for doulas (nonmedical healthcare support), formalizing their role in pregnancy/postpartum care and improving professional standards within healthcare services.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Montana · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 503: Allow use of expired opioid antagonists

SB 503 allows for the use of expired opioid antagonists, such as naloxone, to treat opioid-related drug overdoses. This bill grants partial immunity from liability to school employees, eligible recipients, medical practitioners, and pharmacists who administer or distribute these expired medications in good faith. It amends existing law to explicitly permit schools to stock and use expired opioid antagonists and extends immunity to school personnel, except in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct. The bill's purpose is to broaden access to life-saving opioid antagonist medication by permitting the use of expired doses.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows expired naloxone use for overdose treatment, expands emergency access to life-saving care, and grants liability protection to providers - directly improving healthcare access for opioid emergencies.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

vetoed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 881: Revise medicaid buy-in program to include children with disabilities

HB 881 proposed to revise the existing Medicaid buy-in program to include children with disabilities. This would expand eligibility for the program, allowing more children with disabilities to access Medicaid services. The bill also included an appropriation and extended rulemaking authority for the relevant department to implement these changes. It aimed to amend specific sections of Montana law concerning Medicaid administration and eligibility requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill includes specific appropriation to fund expanded Medicaid eligibility for children with disabilities, directly advancing essential public health funding under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid eligibility for children with disabilities, increasing healthcare access through new appropriations and policy changes.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

Track

signed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 825: Generally revise laws related to health care proxy decisionmakers

HB 825 revises laws related to healthcare decision-makers for adult patients. It allows patients to designate a "trusted decisionmaker" to make medical choices on their behalf if they lose the ability to make their own, with healthcare providers required to document this designation. The bill establishes a legal hierarchy for selecting a decision-maker for incapacitated patients, placing the patient-designated trusted decisionmaker high on that list. This ensures a patient's chosen individual has authority to make healthcare decisions if they cannot.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables patient designation of trusted decisionmakers, prioritizing patient autonomy in medical choices, protecting rights under healthcare decision-making laws.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Montana · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 218: Provide for private right of action for injuries caused by certain medical interventions to treat gender dysphoria

SB 218 establishes a private right of action, allowing minors, their legal guardians, or estates to file civil lawsuits against healthcare professionals and physicians. These lawsuits can be brought for injuries caused by specific medical interventions, including certain surgeries, hormone therapies, and puberty blockers, when provided to minors to treat gender dysphoria. Liability may arise if the injury is proximately caused by a deviation from the applicable medical standard of care. The bill sets a statute of limitations for these actions and clarifies that it does not apply to treatments for medically verifiable disorders of sex development or complications from prior medical treatments.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill creates legal liability for providers of gender dysphoria treatments (hormones, puberty blockers, surgeries) to minors, restricting access to these healthcare services through potential lawsuits.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 601: Create online portal for community assisters related to Medicaid

HB 601 establishes an online portal by May 1, 2026, to assist Medicaid applicants and enrollees. This portal allows designated "community assisters" to help individuals apply for Medicaid coverage and submit required documents. Key functions include enabling assisters to review application status, view department notices, report eligibility changes, and update contact information for their clients. The portal also allows, but does not require, assisters to submit initial applications or redeterminations and upload verification documents. This aims to streamline the application process for individuals seeking Medicaid assistance through community organizations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines Medicaid application process via portal, improving access to healthcare coverage for low-income individuals by facilitating community assister support.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare