Technology (Digital Government)

This bill requires the Montana Medicaid department to create an online portal by May 1, 2026, that allows community assisters to help individuals apply for Medicaid coverage and submit required documents. The portal will enable community assisters to check application status, view notices, report eligibility changes, see required actions, and update contact information for applicants and enrollees. Community assisters are defined as people or organizations that help individuals apply for health coverage under the Montana Medicaid program. The bill also allows applicants to designate one or more community assisters to access these portal features on their behalf.

This bill (LC 1634) proposed revisions to state digital ID laws but did not become law. It aimed to update regulations governing digital identification systems, which would have directly affected residents and businesses using digital ID services. The bill's specific changes to digital ID requirements, security standards, or access procedures are not detailed in the provided context. The bill was drafted in late 2024, placed on hold, and ultimately died in committee in May 2025 without further action. No policy changes were implemented through this bill.

HB 397 establishes confidentiality standards for mental health digital services. It defines these services as mobile applications or websites that collect, use, or access information related to an individual's mental health or substance use disorder, market themselves as facilitating such services, and use the information for diagnosis, treatment, or management. The bill subjects these services to existing health care information disclosure and confidentiality provisions. It also provides for enforcement and remedies for individuals whose information is disclosed in violation of these standards.