This bill amends sections 50-16-535 and 50-16-811 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to clarify the circumstances under which health care information can be disclosed by health care providers in response to compulsory legal processes. Notably, it introduces provisions allowing professional licensing boards or programs to request health care information through an administrative subpoena for investigative and disciplinary purposes. Specifically, the bill adds new language that permits such requests, ensuring that health care information can be disclosed in these contexts, which was not explicitly stated in the previous law.

Additionally, the bill removes the previous allowance for health care information to be requested under similar federal laws without specifying the context of professional licensing boards. The revisions aim to enhance the clarity and scope of health care information sharing while maintaining patient confidentiality rights, ensuring that disclosures are made only under defined circumstances that protect patient privacy.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 50-16-535, 50-16-811
HB0796_1(1): 50-16-535, 50-16-811
HB0796_1(2): 50-16-535, 50-16-811
HB0796_1(3): 50-16-535, 50-16-811
HB0796_1(4): 50-16-535, 50-16-811
HB0796_1(5): 50-16-535, 50-16-811
HB0796_1(6): 50-16-535, 50-16-811
HB0796_1: 50-16-535, 50-16-811
HB0796_X(1): 50-16-535, 50-16-811
HB0796_X(2): 50-16-535, 50-16-811
HB0796_X(3): 50-16-535, 50-16-811
HB0796_X(4): 50-16-535, 50-16-811
HB0796_X(5): 50-16-535, 50-16-811
HB0796_X(6): 50-16-535, 50-16-811
HB0796_X(7): 50-16-535, 50-16-811
HB0796_X: 50-16-535, 50-16-811