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MontanaSB 52469th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)Senate

Revise laws relating to category D assisted living facilities

Sponsored By: Dennis Lenz (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Senior CitizensCourtsHealthHealth Care ServicesInstitutionsJudges and JusticesMental Illness or Incapacity

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Courts can place adults in Category D homes

A person detained or considered for detention can be placed in a Category D assisted living facility instead of the state hospital. The court can do this when exams are done, a facility agrees to take the person, and short-term inpatient care is not appropriate. For voluntary diversion, the court may dismiss the case if the person and a facility agree and the court finds likely benefit. If no facility accepts the person, the court may commit them to the Montana state hospital. Starting July 1, 2025, courts may order up to 6 months in a community facility (usually 3 months) when the person is placed in Category D or has a prior involuntary inpatient commitment. If a Category D facility cannot meet a person’s needs, it must alert the court 30 days before the commitment ends, and the court must recheck eligibility.

Stricter rules and safety for Category D residents

To be admitted or kept in Category D, a person must need help with two or more activities of daily living. A practitioner must assess the person, renew the health care assessment each month, and write detailed care orders that explain behavior patterns, when restraints or medication may be used, why Category D fits, and the expected time frame. Facilities do not have to keep seclusion or restraint rooms, and they must get prior approval of any seclusion or restraint policies before using them. The Department sets safety and restraint training rules for staff. People subject to 46-14-301 are not eligible for Category D placement.

New pay and support for small Category D homes

The Department must adopt a specialized reimbursement model for Category D by April 1, 2026. It pays more for higher-acuity needs and pays higher rates to small homes that serve fewer than 15 residents. Each Category D facility is capped at 15 residents. Operators may run a standalone Category D home or share space with another licensed facility. The Department must provide technical help so facilities can meet growing behavioral needs and avoid ending services. The law does not set dollar amounts.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Dennis Lenz

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 685 • No: 58

House vote • 4/30/2025

Do Adopt

Yes: 93 • No: 7

Senate vote • 4/30/2025

Do Adopt

Yes: 45 • No: 5

House vote • 4/29/2025

Do Adopt

Yes: 95 • No: 5

Senate vote • 4/29/2025

Do Adopt

Yes: 41 • No: 6

Senate vote • 4/17/2025

Do Not Concur

Yes: 46 • No: 4

House vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 88 • No: 12

House vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 91 • No: 7

House vote • 4/9/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 88 • No: 11

Senate vote • 3/6/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 49 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/6/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 49 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/16/2025Senate

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/13/2025Senate

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    5/6/2025Senate

  4. Signed by Speaker

    5/6/2025House

  5. Signed by President

    5/6/2025Senate

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    5/2/2025Senate

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    5/1/2025Senate

  8. 3rd Reading Conference Committee Report

    4/30/2025Senate

  9. 3rd Reading Conference Committee Report

    4/30/2025House

  10. 2nd Reading Conference Committee Report

    4/29/2025House

  11. 2nd Reading Conference Committee Report

    4/29/2025Senate

  12. Hearing

    4/24/2025Senate

  13. Conference Committee Appointed

    4/24/2025House

  14. Hearing Canceled

    4/24/2025Senate

  15. Hearing

    4/24/2025Senate

  16. Conference Committee Appointed

    4/23/2025Senate

  17. 2nd Reading House Amendments

    4/17/2025Senate

  18. Returned to Senate with Amendments

    4/11/2025House

  19. 3rd Reading

    4/11/2025House

  20. 2nd Reading

    4/11/2025House

  21. Committee Report

    4/10/2025House

  22. Committee Executive Action

    4/9/2025House

  23. Hearing

    4/9/2025House

  24. Rereferred to Committee

    4/9/2025House

  25. 2nd Reading

    4/9/2025House

Bill Text

  • As Amended (Version 3)

    5/1/2025

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    5/1/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    4/10/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    2/26/2025

    PDF

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