Rep. Melody Cunningham

Maddy summaryHB 364 proposes to update laws concerning student immunizations and exemptions in K-12 schools. It would require school governing authorities to submit written reports on student immunization and exemption data to state and local health departments. These reports must only contain deidentified or aggregate information, ensuring student privacy. The Department of Public Health and Human Services would determine the specific form and schedule for these reports.

Maddy summaryHJ 65 is a joint resolution requesting Montana's legislature to conduct an interim study of current driving under the influence (DUI) laws. The study would examine Montana's DUI penalties, treatment options for offenders, and factors contributing to the state's high DUI rates (including cultural attitudes and transportation access), comparing Montana's approach to other states. It requires the committee to report findings to the 70th Legislature by September 2026. This resolution does not change existing laws but seeks to inform future policy decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 827 aimed to revise the taxation of Social Security benefits at the state level in Montana. The bill proposed to modify how the federal calculation for taxing Social Security benefits is applied when determining an individual's state income tax. This change would have directly affected Montana residents receiving Social Security benefits by potentially altering the portion of those benefits subject to state income tax. The bill included provisions for a delayed effective and applicability date.

Maddy summaryHB 826 proposes to revise Montana's tobacco tax laws by increasing the state tax on cigarettes. The bill would raise the tax from $1.70 to $2.70 for each package containing 20 cigarettes. This tax is precollected by wholesalers and applies to individuals who purchase cigarettes for consumption. The bill also retains existing provisions regarding tax exemptions for sales to tribal members on Indian reservations.

Maddy summaryHB 792 revises laws related to marijuana labeling and education, directly affecting marijuana businesses and consumers. It mandates the display of new warning posters at all points of sale for marijuana products. The bill also expands the required warning labels on product packaging to include additional health risks, a warning about driving under the influence, and a specific "high-potency THC" warning for products over 10% THC. Furthermore, these labels and posters must provide resources for marijuana addiction assistance, and the bill grants the department rulemaking authority to implement these changes.

Maddy summaryHB 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.

Maddy summaryHB 600 authorizes public and nonpublic schools to maintain a supply of "stock albuterol," a quick-relief asthma medication, for emergency use. This medication can be administered by a school nurse or other authorized school personnel to any individual, student or non-student, experiencing respiratory distress on school grounds or at school-related activities. Schools choosing to keep stock albuterol must develop a protocol for staff training, medication maintenance, and post-administration follow-up, including determining when to make a 9-1-1 emergency call. The bill requires a prescription for the stock albuterol, with the school designated as the patient.