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

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Insurance covers kids' hearing care

Most Montana group and individual health plans, plus many public employer plans, must cover hearing diagnosis and treatment for children age 18 or younger. Care must be medically necessary and ordered by a licensed provider. Plans must cover hearing or amplification devices and needed accessories. They generally cover no more than one device per ear every 3 years unless an audiologist requires sooner. Standard copays, deductibles, and plan reviews apply, and limited-benefit-only policies are excluded.

Clearer disability terms and interpreter access

State policy secures the rights of deaf or hard-of-hearing people by ensuring access to qualified interpreters in legal proceedings. Election law wording now uses “condition” and names being deaf or hard of hearing, replacing older terms. These changes guide courts and election officials to provide fair, respectful accommodations.

Clearer rules for hearing aid providers

The law replaces “hearing loss” with “various auditory ranges” and defines the term. It clarifies that ordering, selling, dispensing, and fitting prescription hearing aids covers devices meant to help those conditions. This makes practice rules clearer for providers and people who need hearing aids.

Montana deaf-blind school rules updated

The Montana School for the Deaf and Blind is a residential and day school for students who are deaf, hard of hearing, or blind, or who need specialized support. A child is eligible only if under age 22 and identified under federal IDEA as having a hearing or vision disability. The school must track each identified child from first identification through exit from services to keep education and care coordinated. Families whose children do not meet both rules are not eligible for these services.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Connie Keogh
Democrat • House

Cosponsors

Mike Yakawich
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 258 • No: 41

Senate vote • 4/9/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 49 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/8/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 50 • No: 0

House vote • 1/30/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 78 • No: 22

House vote • 1/29/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 81 • No: 19

Actions Timeline

Chapter Number Assigned
5/5/2025House
Signed by Governor
5/1/2025House
Transmitted to Governor
4/22/2025House
Signed by President
4/22/2025Senate
Signed by Speaker
4/18/2025House
Returned from Enrolling
4/10/2025House
Sent to Enrolling
4/9/2025House
3rd Reading
4/9/2025Senate
2nd Reading
4/8/2025Senate
Committee Report
3/31/2025Senate
Committee Executive Action
3/28/2025Senate
Hearing
3/14/2025Senate
Referred to Committee
2/18/2025Senate
1st Reading
1/31/2025Senate
Transmitted to Senate
1/30/2025House
3rd Reading
1/30/2025House
2nd Reading
1/29/2025House
Committee Report
1/24/2025House
Committee Executive Action
1/23/2025House
Committee Executive Action
1/23/2025House
Hearing
1/14/2025House
1st Reading
1/14/2025House
Referred to Committee
1/14/2025House
Introduced
1/13/2025House

Bill Text

Enrolled
4/15/2025
PDF
As Amended (Version 2)
1/24/2025
PDF
Introduced
1/13/2025
PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation