MontanaHB 18469th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Modify language in the MCA that may diminish the dignity of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

More required health benefits for families

Plans must cover well‑child care from birth through age 7 with no deductible. Children 18 or younger get coverage for hearing loss diagnosis and treatment, including up to one hearing device per ear every 3 years unless an audiologist requires more. State and university plans must cover hospital stays after mastectomy, lumpectomy, or lymph node surgery when the doctor says it is needed. Diabetes care includes at least 20 initial 30‑minute training visits and 12 follow‑up visits each year after that, plus insulin, test strips, monitors, an insulin pump per warranty period, and glucagon kits. Plans must also cover therapies for Down syndrome, inborn errors of metabolism, fertility preservation, mental health care, telehealth, and eyedrop refills. Before you join a group plan, the insurer must give you written details on cancer screening coverage. The law also clarifies hearing‑device terms and who can dispense prescription hearing aids.

Choose a local pharmacy over mail order

If your plan uses an out‑of‑state mail pharmacy, you can use a Montana pharmacy instead at no extra cost. The Montana pharmacy must match the plan’s mail‑order price and meet the same terms. Any mail‑order pharmacy the plan uses must be registered with the state board and as a foreign corporation in Montana.

Health coverage after line‑of‑duty harm

If a peace officer is catastrophically injured on duty and loses the job, or dies on duty, the agency must enroll them and covered family in COBRA. The agency pays COBRA premiums for four months. Enrolled people can opt out within 60 days. If a covered peace officer, game warden, firefighter, or volunteer firefighter dies on duty, a spouse or dependent may continue the same group coverage at the same premium as similar members. Plans can end this only for nonpayment, fraud, or if the plan ends.

Universal newborn hearing checks and follow‑up

Every newborn gets a hearing screening before leaving the hospital or by 1 month old. Babies who do not pass screening are tracked to get an audiology check by 3 months. Providers report results to the child’s doctor, and the state shares confirmed results with the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind. The health department sets rules and can help hospitals with reporting and equipment funding.

Dependents can stay covered to 26

When your plan renews, it must keep dependent coverage until age 26 if it would have ended earlier. The plan may charge you, not your employer, for the extra premium for this extended coverage.

Keep state health coverage after leaving

The law lets eligible state and university members keep group health coverage after they retire until they reach Medicare. Surviving spouses and children can stay covered while they qualify for the deceased member’s retirement benefits. Vested former legislators and inactive vested judges can also stay, but they must notify the Department of Administration within 90 days after service ends. You cannot keep coverage if you enroll in a similar plan at the same or lower cost or become eligible for one through a job (and for spouses, if you have Medicare). If you stay on the plan, you must pay the full premium for yourself and any dependents. A retiring member’s spouse has the same continuation rights as a surviving spouse and may convert the group policy to an individual policy under state law.

School support for deaf or blind students

Children under 22 who are identified under IDEA for hearing or vision impairments are eligible for services from the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind. The school must help parents and public schools ensure programs are appropriate and can charge a reasonable fee to the school or agency for that help. Nonresident students may attend if space allows, but someone must pay in advance an amount equal to the prior year’s estimated per‑student cost.

Stronger access for deaf in proceedings

The state sets a policy to protect the rights of people who are deaf or hard of hearing in legal and official proceedings. The law defines who is a deaf person and who counts as a qualified interpreter. It also expands the list of auxiliary aids, including interpreters and supported decisionmaking in health and other settings.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Connie Keogh
Democrat • House

Cosponsors

Mike Yakawich
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 256 • No: 41

House vote • 4/9/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 4/8/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 48 • No: 0

House vote • 1/30/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 78 • No: 22

House vote • 1/29/2025