All Roll Calls
Yes: 398 • No: 93
MontanaHB 82569th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET
Generally revise laws related to health care proxy decisionmakers
Sponsored By: Melody Cunningham (Democrat)
Became Law
Health Care ServicesHealth
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Clear order for medical decisionmakers
When you lack decisional capacity and no valid directive or medical power of attorney controls, providers must follow a set order. First, a guardian with medical authority. Next, the agent you named in a medical power of attorney or advance directive, then your trusted decisionmaker. After that, your spouse, adult child, parent, sibling, a close friend who knows your wishes, then any other proxy under state law.
Name a trusted health decisionmaker in hospital
As an adult admitted to a hospital, you can name a trusted decisionmaker before any capacity finding. A third-party witness must be present, and your provider records the person’s name and contact info. The provider promptly tells your family. This trusted person stays in place until you sign an advance directive, sign a medical power of attorney, name someone else, or you are discharged. Providers cannot pick another proxy unless they tried to reach your trusted person and cannot contact them. If your trusted decisionmaker is willing and able, the usual notice and alternate-proxy steps do not apply.
Stronger patient rights and staff training
The Patient Bill of Rights is expanded and applies to you or, if you cannot decide, to your surrogate, lay proxy, or trusted decisionmaker. You get clear, timely information about your condition and choices, including the immediate and long-term costs of treatment. You have privacy, access to records, the right to accept or refuse care, have an advance directive, and have a support person and visitors. You are told who is on your care team, why transfers happen, any business ties, and research is always voluntary. Health care facilities must train staff every year on these rights.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Melody Cunningham
Democrat • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/18/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 79 • No: 19
House vote • 4/17/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 95 • No: 4
House vote • 4/11/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 27 • No: 21
House vote • 4/10/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 30 • No: 19
House vote • 3/7/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 83 • No: 16
House vote • 3/6/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 84 • No: 14
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
5/13/2025HouseSigned by Governor
5/8/2025HouseTransmitted to Governor
5/1/2025HouseSigned by President
5/1/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
4/29/2025HouseReturned from Enrolling
4/21/2025HouseSent to Enrolling
4/18/2025House3rd Reading Passed as Amended by Senate
4/18/2025House2nd Reading Senate Amendments Concurred
4/17/2025HouseReturned to House with Amendments
4/11/2025Senate3rd Reading Concurred
4/11/2025Senate2nd Reading Concurred
4/10/2025SenateCommittee Report--Bill Concurred as Amended
4/8/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended
4/7/2025SenateHearing Canceled
4/7/2025SenateHearing
3/27/2025SenateReferred to Committee
3/19/2025SenateFirst Reading
3/14/2025SenateTransmitted to Senate
3/7/2025House3rd Reading Passed
3/7/2025House2nd Reading Passed
3/6/2025HouseCommittee Report--Bill Passed
3/1/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action--Bill Passed
3/1/2025HouseHearing
2/27/2025HouseFirst Reading
2/27/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled
4/21/2025
As Amended (Version 2)
4/8/2025
Introduced
2/26/2025