This bill adopts the Social Work Licensure Compact, which would allow licensed social workers to practice across multiple states with a single multistate license instead of needing separate licenses in each state. The legislation creates a commission to oversee the compact and establish a shared data system for tracking licensure, disciplinary actions, and continuing education among member states. Key provisions include mutual recognition of licenses, support for military families, and the ability to use telehealth services while maintaining each state's authority to protect public health and safety. Social workers would remain accountable to the laws of the state where their client is located at the time care is provided, even while holding a multistate license.
This bill creates a new Board of Physical, Rehabilitative, and Developmental Health Care Professionals in Montana to oversee licensing for several health professions. The board will consist of 12 members representing athletic trainers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and the public. It consolidates authority currently held by separate boards for athletic trainers, occupational therapy practitioners, physical therapy examiners, and speech-language pathologists and audiologists into this single new board. The board will establish licensure criteria, set fees, and issue licenses for these professions while the Department of Labor and Industry handles administrative tasks. This change affects professionals in these fields who currently hold separate licenses and will now fall under one unified regulatory body.
This bill adopts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to allow licensed psychologists to practice across state lines through telepsychology and temporary in-person services. It creates a system where psychologists licensed in one compact state can provide remote mental health services to clients in other participating states without needing separate licenses in each location. The legislation also establishes a coordinated database for sharing licensure and disciplinary information between states to protect public safety and includes rules for temporary practice authorization and adverse action notifications. This agreement applies only to temporary practice and telepsychology, not to permanent in-person practice, and requires psychologists to follow the laws of each state where they provide services.
This bill authorizes the creation of speech-language pathology aides and audiology aides in Montana without requiring them to hold a professional license. Under the new rules, these aides must work under the supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist for at least 20% of their time and cannot perform tasks requiring independent clinical judgment. The bill gives the professional licensing board authority to establish specific qualifications and define the scope of work for these support staff members. This change aims to expand access to support services while maintaining oversight through licensed professionals.
SB 233 enacts the Interstate Massage Compact, establishing a new multistate licensing program for massage therapists. This compact allows licensed massage therapists to practice in all participating member states with a single multistate license, increasing their professional mobility. It includes provisions for criminal background checks for multistate licensure and creates an interstate commission to administer the compact. The bill aims to improve public access to massage therapy services and enhance regulatory cooperation among states while ensuring public safety.
SB 279 enacts the Dietitian Licensure Compact, which allows licensed dietitians and nutritionists to practice in multiple participating states through a "compact privilege" without needing to obtain a separate license in each state. This bill aims to improve public access to dietetics services and reduce administrative burdens for practitioners and state licensing authorities. It establishes uniform requirements for licensure portability, including criminal background checks, and supports military members and their spouses. The compact also enhances cooperation among states in regulating the profession and protecting public health and safety.
SB 140 would adopt Montana into the Social Work Licensure Compact, enabling social workers licensed in Montana (their "home state") to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. The bill creates a "multistate license" system, allowing licensed social workers to provide services across state lines while maintaining each state's authority to regulate practice and address disciplinary issues in the state where the client is located. This directly affects licensed social workers seeking to practice beyond Montana, particularly those serving military families or addressing workforce shortages in rural areas. The compact aims to reduce licensing barriers, improve access to social work services, and facilitate telehealth practice while preserving state-level regulatory oversight for public safety.
HB 183 enacts Montana's participation in the Physician Assistant (PA) Licensure Compact, allowing PAs licensed in other participating states to practice in Montana without obtaining a separate Montana license. The bill establishes a "compact privilege" requiring PAs to hold an unrestricted license in good standing from a participating state, pass criminal background checks, and comply with Montana's medical practice laws during patient encounters. It directly affects PAs seeking cross-state practice opportunities and Montana patients receiving care from out-of-state PAs, while specifically benefiting military families by enabling easier licensure for active-duty personnel and spouses. The compact also requires participating states to share disciplinary information and implement standardized background checks.
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.
SB 347 revises medical resident licensure laws in Montana, directly affecting individuals undergoing medical training in the state. The bill removes unlicensed trainees from existing licensing exemptions, meaning they will now be required to obtain a license. It also revises definitions, including adding "PGY" (post-graduate year) and defining a "Resident" as someone enrolled in an approved residency program who holds a valid resident license to practice medicine. These changes clarify and update the qualifications and licensing requirements for medical residents.
