Senate Bill No. introduced by B. Beard establishes the Senior Care Facility Access and Stabilization Act, which aims to improve access to assisted living services in Montana. The bill mandates the Department of Public Health and Human Services to annually adjust room and board costs for individuals enrolled in the Medicaid program, ensuring that payments are aligned with their income while allowing for a personal needs allowance. Additionally, the bill requires the department to apply for necessary waivers and amendments to transition assisted living services from the Big Sky Waiver to the Community First Choice Option under Medicaid, with a focus on transferring funding as individuals move between programs.

The legislation also includes quarterly reporting requirements for the department to provide data on service utilization, waiting lists, and provider participation in both the Big Sky Waiver and Community First Choice programs. Notably, the bill introduces a provision for contingent voidness, stating that if the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services denies the state plan amendment for assisted living services, the relevant section of the bill will become void. The effective date of the act is set for July 1, 2025.