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MontanaHB 34269th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Revise civil liability laws to provide a statutory duty of care for certain actions

Sponsored By: Bill Mercer (Republican)

Signed by Governor

LiabilityRevenue, State

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Narrower malpractice claims for known risks

In medical malpractice cases, a known or foreseeable risk does not raise the duty of care above the usual reasonable standard. This narrows one way patients can try to prove negligence. The law is effective on passage and approval. It applies only to lawsuits filed on or after that date; cases filed earlier are not changed.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Bill Mercer

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Bruce "Butch" Gillespie

    Republican • Senate

  • Steve Fitzpatrick

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 177 • No: 121

Senate vote • 4/9/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 32 • No: 17

Senate vote • 4/8/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 30 • No: 20

House vote • 2/13/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 57 • No: 42

House vote • 2/12/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 58 • No: 42

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/5/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/1/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    4/22/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    4/22/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    4/18/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/11/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/9/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading

    4/9/2025Senate

  9. 2nd Reading

    4/8/2025Senate

  10. Committee Report

    3/26/2025Senate

  11. Committee Executive Action

    3/26/2025Senate

  12. Hearing

    3/15/2025Senate

  13. Hearing

    3/7/2025Senate

  14. Hearing Canceled

    3/2/2025Senate

  15. Hearing

    2/27/2025Senate

  16. Referred to Committee

    2/14/2025Senate

  17. Transmitted to Senate

    2/14/2025House

  18. 3rd Reading

    2/13/2025House

  19. 2nd Reading

    2/12/2025House

  20. Committee Report

    2/6/2025House

  21. Committee Executive Action

    2/6/2025House

  22. Committee Executive Action

    2/6/2025House

  23. Hearing

    2/4/2025House

  24. 1st Reading

    1/30/2025House

  25. Referred to Committee

    1/30/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/15/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/29/2025

    PDF

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