Veterans (Veteran Mental Health)

This bill establishes a grant program to train healthcare providers in nonmedication therapies for treating posttraumatic stress disorder in Montana. The Department of Labor and Industry will administer $600,000 in funding to support a two-year project that certifies providers licensed under state or federal veterans affairs regulations in these therapies. The program will also develop operational procedures, engage in community planning efforts, and track outcomes such as the number of trained providers and patients treated. Eligible expenses include training program licensing, facilitator costs, and travel for staff and trainees, with final reports due to the legislature by July 1, 2026.

This bill expands Montana's workers' compensation system to cover posttraumatic stress disorder for first responders, including firefighters, law enforcement officers, dispatchers, and prison employees. Under the new provisions, these workers can file claims if a qualified diagnosis confirms their PTSD resulted from an emergency event occurring during their official duties, excluding stress caused by personnel actions like disciplinary measures or job changes. The legislation amends existing state statutes to create an exception to Montana's general rule against compensating mental-mental claims, specifically recognizing the unique risks faced by first responders. Coverage applies to both professional and volunteer responders who act in an official capacity during emergency responses.

This bill allocates $500,000 from the state special revenue account to Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services for suicide prevention efforts targeting service members, veterans, and their families. The funding will support implementing strategies developed with federal assistance, establishing suicide risk screening standards, and improving care transitions through peer support and collaborative policies between military and civilian agencies. Additional provisions include launching a statewide safe storage campaign for lethal means, conducting safety training events, and creating a working group to adopt clinical guidelines for safety planning. The act also requires the secretary of state to notify federally recognized tribal governments and takes effect on July 1, 2025.

HB 832 creates a Montana state grant program to fund training for healthcare providers in nonmedication therapies for treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The program, administered by the Department of Labor and Industry, awards grants to entities developing 2-year projects that train licensed providers (including Veterans Affairs-certified professionals) in these therapies, develop treatment protocols, and engage in community planning. It appropriates $600,000 from the state general fund for the 2025-2027 biennium as a one-time allocation, requiring grantees to report outcomes like providers trained, patients served, and treatment impact by 2026. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Senate Bill 95 allocates $300,000 to the Department of Public Health and Human Services for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025. This funding is dedicated to suicide prevention efforts specifically for service members, veterans, and their families. The bill outlines several key uses for the money, including implementing prevention strategies and establishing screening standards for suicide risk. It also aims to improve care transitions and increase lethal means safety through initiatives such as a statewide safe storage campaign and training events. The act is effective July 1, 2025, and terminates on June 30, 2027.