MontanaHB 29669th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Revising laws related to professional licensing injunctions and penalties

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Fewer court injunctions for unlicensed practice

The law removes several injunction tools that once let the state or boards quickly stop unlicensed or unlawful practice. This includes striking injunction language in optometry and naturopathy sections and repealing two statewide injunction and penalty statutes (37-1-411 and 37-1-412). It also protects people who follow the specific rules in Title 16, chapter 12, part 5, by barring actions against them under this section. Enforcement may rely more on board discipline and other remedies outside these repealed or struck provisions.

Formal hearings and public notice for discipline

When a licensing board handled by the Montana Department of Labor and Industry takes disciplinary action, the case now uses a formal contested-case hearing under the state Administrative Procedure Act. Boards also must give public notice when they make rules under this disciplinary authority, following 37-1-311. This makes the process more transparent and structured. It changes the process, not the penalties.

No misdemeanor for misusing physical therapy titles

People without a valid physical therapy license still cannot use protected titles like "P.T." or "Physical Therapist." The law removes the sentence in this section that made title misuse a misdemeanor. The title-use ban stays in place, but this section no longer sets a misdemeanor penalty.

Appraiser false-claim misdemeanor removed

You may still appraise property in nonfederal deals without a license if you do not claim to be licensed. The law removes the sentence in this section that made falsely claiming to be a licensed or certified appraiser a misdemeanor. The ban on misrepresenting your status remains, but this section no longer labels it a misdemeanor.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Ron Marshall
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Josh Kassmier
Republican • Senate
Mark Noland
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 282 • No: 15

Senate vote • 4/10/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 45 • No: 3

Senate vote • 4/8/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 44 • No: 6

House vote • 2/6/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 97 • No: 2

House vote • 2/5/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 96 • No: 4

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
4/11/2025House
Sent to Enrolling
4/10/2025House
3rd Reading
4/10/2025Senate
2nd Reading
4/8/2025Senate
Committee Report
3/20/2025Senate
Committee Executive Action
3/19/2025Senate
Hearing
3/15/2025Senate
Hearing
3/7/2025Senate
Hearing Canceled
3/2/2025Senate
Hearing
2/27/2025Senate
Referred to Committee
2/14/2025Senate
1st Reading
2/7/2025Senate
Transmitted to Senate
2/6/2025House
3rd Reading
2/6/2025House
2nd Reading
2/5/2025House
2nd Reading Pass Consideration
2/4/2025House
Committee Report
1/31/2025House
Committee Executive Action
1/30/2025House
Committee Executive Action
1/30/2025House
Hearing
1/28/2025House

Bill Text

Enrolled
4/15/2025
PDF
Introduced
1/23/2025
PDF

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