All Roll Calls
Yes: 292 • No: 5
MontanaSB 45669th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)SenateWALLET
Revise professions and occupations laws regarding dispensing of drugs
Sponsored By: Tom McGillvray (Republican)
Became Law
Professions and Occupations GenerallyAlcohol and DrugsHealth Care Services
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
When your doctor can give you medicine
You can get medicine directly from your practitioner in several cases: no community pharmacy is available, a pharmacy cannot supply your prescribed drug, in an emergency, as a single dose given at your visit, occasionally, or as manufacturer samples. A practitioner may also give opioid antagonists, like naloxone, under state law 50-32-605. At state‑contracted family planning clinics, a registered nurse may give factory prepackaged contraceptives (not mifepristone) under a doctor’s protocol and pharmacy board labeling and record rules. A contract physician at an urban Indian clinic may give medicines to qualified clinic patients, but not dangerous drugs or controlled substances, and cannot delegate dispensing of drugs that need a federal prescription. Naturopathic physicians are included as medical practitioners under these rules.
New rules for doctors who dispense drugs
Medical practitioners can dispense drugs if they register with the Board of Pharmacy and follow pharmacy and federal rules. They must pay a Board-set fee at registration and when renewing their license. They may dispense only at their office, to their own patients, offer counseling, and only for treatment needs. Before dispensing, they must offer you the prescription on paper, by electronic, or by fax so you can use any pharmacy. Staff can hand you the sealed package if it has two written IDs and they check your ID. Practitioners may give only drugs within their prescribing scope and may not give controlled substances unless acting as a pharmacist under pharmacy law.
Workers' comp limits on doctor dispensing
If you are treated under workers’ compensation, a practitioner registered with the Board of Pharmacy generally may not dispense drugs to you. The law allows only the listed exceptions. Most injured workers must use a pharmacy unless an exception applies.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Tom McGillvray
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Curtis Schomer
Republican • House
Kenneth Bogner
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/27/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 99 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/26/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 98 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 49 • No: 1
Senate vote • 3/5/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 46 • No: 4
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
4/17/2025SenateSigned by Governor
4/16/2025SenateTransmitted to Governor
4/8/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
4/7/2025HouseSigned by President
4/1/2025SenateReturned from Enrolling
3/28/2025SenateSent to Enrolling
3/27/2025Senate3rd Reading Concurred
3/27/2025House2nd Reading Concurred
3/26/2025HouseCommittee Report--Bill Concurred
3/24/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action--Bill Concurred
3/24/2025HouseFirst Reading
3/17/2025HouseHearing
3/13/2025HouseReferred to Committee
3/7/2025HouseTransmitted to House
3/6/2025Senate3rd Reading Passed
3/6/2025Senate2nd Reading Passed
3/5/2025SenateCommittee Report--Bill Passed
3/1/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action--Bill Passed
3/1/2025SenateHearing
2/25/2025SenateFirst Reading
2/25/2025SenateReferred to Committee
2/24/2025SenateIntroduced
2/24/2025Senate
Bill Text
As Amended (Version 2)
3/28/2025
Enrolled
3/28/2025
Introduced
2/24/2025