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MontanaHB 23869th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Revise laws related to physical and mental evaluations for professional licenses

Sponsored By: Jodee Etchart (Republican)

Became Law

Professions and Occupations GenerallyHealth

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

License suspension after court finding

If a court finally rules that you are mentally incompetent, addicted to addictive substances, or committed under 53-21-127, the medical or podiatry board can suspend your license. The suspension lasts until a court finds you restored or cured and the board is satisfied you are competent to practice. This can stop your ability to work and your income.

Medical licensees face safety evaluations

Licensing boards and the Department of Labor and Industry can require mental or physical evaluations if they reasonably believe you pose a significant risk of serious harm to the public. This applies to licensees and applicants. The evaluation must assess how any impairment, disability, or drug use affects your ability to practice safely and consider how long, how severe, how likely, and how soon harm could occur. Boards and the department may base discipline on one evaluation or several. If you refuse the evaluation, they can immediately suspend your license or stop processing your application.

Boards can order exams and records

During an investigation, the medical, podiatry, and chiropractic boards can order you to take a physical or mental exam by physicians they choose. They can also review your hospital medical records, and hospitals must provide copies when asked in writing. These steps protect patients and the public. The law does not state who pays for these exams.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jodee Etchart

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Gregg Hunter

    Republican • Senate

  • Steve Fitzpatrick

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 296 • No: 0

House vote • 3/31/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 50 • No: 0

House vote • 3/28/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 47 • No: 0

House vote • 2/12/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 100 • No: 0

House vote • 2/11/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 99 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    4/17/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    4/16/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    4/9/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    4/9/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    4/7/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/2/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    3/31/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading Concurred

    3/31/2025Senate

  9. 2nd Reading Concurred

    3/28/2025Senate

  10. 2nd Reading Pass Consideration

    3/27/2025Senate

  11. Committee Report--Bill Concurred

    3/20/2025Senate

  12. Committee Executive Action--Bill Concurred

    3/20/2025Senate

  13. Hearing

    3/15/2025Senate

  14. Hearing

    3/7/2025Senate

  15. Hearing Canceled

    2/28/2025Senate

  16. Hearing

    2/27/2025Senate

  17. Referred to Committee

    2/21/2025Senate

  18. First Reading

    2/13/2025Senate

  19. Transmitted to Senate

    2/12/2025House

  20. 3rd Reading Passed

    2/12/2025House

  21. 2nd Reading Passed

    2/11/2025House

  22. Committee Report--Bill Passed as Amended

    2/5/2025House

  23. Committee Executive Action--Bill Passed as Amended

    2/5/2025House

  24. Committee Executive Action--Bill Passed as Amended

    2/5/2025House

  25. Hearing

    1/29/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/15/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    2/6/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/16/2025

    PDF

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