Healthcare (Licensing)

This bill updates Montana laws governing dietitians and nutritionists by establishing new licensing requirements and criminal background checks for those seeking professional credentials. It defines key terms such as "quality educator" and "impacted school" to clarify which institutions and professionals qualify for state payments and regulatory protections. The legislation also creates exemptions for certain situations, sets requirements for qualified supervisors, and includes transitional provisions for permits and existing licenses. Additionally, it repeals two older sections of the code and amends multiple statutes to align with these new standards.

This bill, titled the Expanding Physician Access Act, creates a new pathway for internationally trained physicians to obtain provisional medical licenses in Montana. It directly affects healthcare providers seeking to fill staffing gaps, particularly in rural and primary care areas, by allowing them to sponsor qualified international physicians for employment. The bill requires these physicians to have completed medical training, passed relevant licensing exams, and demonstrated English fluency, while maintaining existing safety and competency standards. After three years of continuous practice, provisional licenses automatically convert to full licenses, and the law ensures physicians cannot begin work without proper federal immigration authorization.

This bill establishes a licensing system for experimental treatment centers in Montana, requiring operators to obtain a license before providing services. It creates new administrative rules that set minimum standards for facility safety, operational procedures, inspections, and data collection on treatment outcomes and adverse events. The legislation also amends the state's Right to Try Act to clarify that insurance regulations do not apply to direct agreements between healthcare providers and patients for experimental treatments. Additionally, it sets specific fees for license applications and renewals to cover administrative costs.

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.

This bill aimed to establish a multi-state compact for psychology licensing, allowing licensed psychologists in participating states to practice across state lines without needing separate licenses in each state. It would have directly affected licensed psychologists seeking to work in multiple states and state licensing boards managing professional credentials. The key mechanism would have been a standardized agreement between states to recognize each other's licenses, reducing administrative barriers. However, the bill died in committee in May 2025 and never became law.

HB 797, also known as the "Expanding Physician Access Act," aims to revise occupational licensing laws to facilitate the licensure of international physicians. The bill establishes a process for the board to grant provisional licenses to international physicians who meet specific educational, examination, and experience requirements, and have an employment offer from a healthcare provider in the state. These provisional licenses automatically convert to full licenses after three years of continuous active practice in the state. This initiative seeks to remove barriers for internationally licensed physicians to fill vacancies, particularly in rural and primary care settings, while maintaining existing standards of care and licensing requirements.