MontanaHB 86769th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Revise labor laws relating to the medical assistance program

Sponsored By: Greg Oblander (Republican)

Became Law

Labor and EmploymentRevenue, State

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.

Three relapses trigger license discipline

If you are in the program and, during your contract, you return to a prohibited substance on three separate occasions, the board must discipline your license. Discipline can include suspension or loss of your license. This does not change your employer’s right to evaluate or fire you.

Help program and in-state treatment for licensees

Licensing boards run a medical help program for licensees with addiction, mental illness, or chronic illness. The program helps you find treatment and checks your recovery. If you must join the program to keep or regain your license, you can enroll in a qualified Montana program first. The board can send you out of state only if no qualified Montana program exists.

Proof needed to reactivate a license

If your board requires continuing education or certification, you must show proof you met those rules for the renewal cycle when reactivating an expired license.

Higher renewal fees and regular audits

Boards must set license renewal fees to cover the medical assistance program’s costs. Programs are audited at least twice every 10 years: an external audit every 5 years paid by the boards, and an internal audit midway through the next 5 years with costs charged to the boards. Each board must pay its share of department‑assessed costs. Boards may expand programs only if money and appropriation authority are available after consulting the department.

Privacy rules for program records

Most program records about you are confidential and generally cannot be used in court or hearings. They can be used in a discipline case before your board, and then may become public unless another law protects them. Health care records from your providers can still be obtained from you or the provider and used as allowed by other law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Greg Oblander
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Bruce "Butch" Gillespie
Republican • Senate
Steve Fitzpatrick
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 250 • No: 42

House vote • 4/22/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 29 • No: 21

House vote • 4/18/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 27 • No: 19

House vote • 4/5/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 98 • No: 0

House vote • 4/3/2025