MontanaSB 51869th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)Senate

Transfer licensing of emergency medical providers to the department of labor and industry

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Labor department now licenses EMS providers

The Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) now licenses emergency care providers and oversees their conduct. DLI sets training levels, what acts each level may perform, drug administration rules, and renewal rules after consulting the health department. DLI also sets patient care standards for out-of-hospital treatment, interfacility transports, and community‑integrated health care. The law defines an emergency care provider and allows DLI to endorse them to deliver approved community‑integrated services.

Changes take effect January 1, 2026

The law takes effect January 1, 2026. All parts apply on that date unless a different date is stated in the law.

One place to file EMS complaints

Complaints about out‑of‑hospital care, interfacility care, care inside a facility, community‑integrated care, or EMS operations are filed with the Labor Department. If you file with the health department, it sends the complaint to Labor. Labor sends EMS operation issues to the health department to investigate, and both agencies must share key safety and rule‑violation information right away and notify each other about sanctions and closures. On referral, the health department reviews equipment, vehicles, and service performance. The agencies must keep a written plan to avoid duplicate work and set shared priorities.

Medical board membership trimmed and shifted

The state medical board now has 11 members, not 12. The board no longer has a separate emergency care provider seat. It includes five MDs (one with emergency medicine experience), one DO, one podiatrist, one nutritionist, one physician assistant, and two public members.

Definitions updated for EMS and responders

The motor vehicle code now uses the new definition of emergency care provider licensed by DLI and ties nontransporting medical units to health department rules. The law also removes emergency care providers from the legal definition of “first responder” in that statute. This clarifies who is covered under traffic and service rules and may change who gets first‑responder duties or benefits tied to that term.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Derek Harvey
Democrat • Senate

Cosponsors

Scott DeMarois
Democrat • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 260 • No: 38

House vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 84 • No: 16

House vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 85 • No: 14

Senate vote • 3/6/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 49 • No: 1