House Bill 184 aims to enhance the dignity and respect for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing in Montana by revising existing laws and updating terminology. Key amendments include changing the terms "hearing impaired" to "deaf or hard-of-hearing" and "hearing loss" to "various auditory ranges," which are intended to provide a more accurate representation of their experiences. The bill also empowers the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind to negotiate agreements with out-of-state educational institutions for student placements, ensuring that funds received are dedicated to educational purposes.

In addition to these changes, the bill mandates comprehensive health insurance coverage for children who are deaf or hard of hearing, including necessary diagnosis and treatment. It emphasizes the importance of early identification and intervention by requiring hospitals to conduct hearing screenings for newborns before discharge. The bill outlines the responsibilities of the Department of Public Health and Human Services in implementing a universal newborn hearing screening program and ensuring appropriate follow-up care. Overall, House Bill 184 seeks to create a more inclusive and supportive legal framework for individuals with hearing differences in Montana.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 2-18-704, 13-1-101, 20-8-102, 20-8-104, 20-8-107, 20-8-116, 33-22-128, 37-16-102, 49-4-501, 49-4-502, 49-4-602, 53-19-401, 53-19-402
HB0184_1(1): 2-18-704, 13-1-101, 20-8-102, 20-8-104, 20-8-107, 20-8-116, 33-22-128, 37-16-102, 49-4-501, 49-4-502, 49-4-602, 53-19-401, 53-19-402
HB0184_1(2): 2-18-704, 13-1-101, 20-8-102, 20-8-104, 20-8-107, 20-8-116, 33-22-128, 37-16-102, 49-4-501, 49-4-502, 49-4-602, 53-19-401, 53-19-402
HB0184_1(3): 2-18-704, 13-1-101, 20-8-102, 20-8-104, 20-8-107, 20-8-116, 33-22-128, 37-16-102, 49-4-501, 49-4-502, 49-4-602, 53-19-401, 53-19-402
HB0184_1(4): 2-18-704, 13-1-101, 20-8-102, 20-8-104, 20-8-107, 20-8-116, 33-22-128, 37-16-102, 49-4-501, 49-4-502, 49-4-602, 53-19-401, 53-19-402
HB0184_1(5): 2-18-704, 13-1-101, 20-8-102, 20-8-104, 20-8-107, 20-8-116, 33-22-128, 37-16-102, 49-4-501, 49-4-502, 49-4-602, 53-19-401, 53-19-402
HB0184_1(6): 2-18-704, 13-1-101, 20-8-102, 20-8-104, 20-8-107, 20-8-116, 33-22-128, 37-16-102, 49-4-501, 49-4-502, 49-4-602, 53-19-401, 53-19-402
HB0184_1(7): 2-18-704, 13-1-101, 20-8-102, 20-8-104, 20-8-107, 20-8-116, 33-22-128, 37-16-102, 49-4-501, 49-4-502, 49-4-602, 53-19-401, 53-19-402
HB0184_1: 2-18-704, 13-1-101, 20-8-102, 20-8-104, 20-8-107, 20-8-116, 33-22-128, 37-16-102, 49-4-501, 49-4-502, 49-4-602, 53-19-401, 53-19-402
HB0184_2(1): 2-18-704, 13-1-101, 20-8-102, 20-8-104, 20-8-107, 20-8-116, 33-22-128, 37-16-102, 49-4-501, 49-4-502, 49-4-602, 53-19-401, 53-19-402
HB0184_2(10): 2-18-704, 13-1-101, 20-8-102, 20-8-104, 20-8-107, 20-8-116, 33-22-128, 37-16-102, 49-4-501, 49-4-502, 49-4-602, 53-19-401, 53-19-402
HB0184_2(11): 2-18-704, 13-1-101, 20-8-102, 20-8-104, 20-8-107, 20-8-116, 33-22-128, 37-16-102, 49-4-501, 49-4-502, 49-4-602, 53-19-401, 53-19-402
HB0184_2(2): 2-18-704, 13-1-101, 20-8-102, 20-8-104, 20-8-107, 20-8-116, 33-22-128, 37-16-102, 49-4-501, 49-4-502, 49-4-602, 53-19-401, 53-19-402
HB0184_2(3): 2-18-704, 13-1-101, 20-8-102, 20-8-104, 20-8-107, 20-8-116, 33-22-128, 37-16-102, 49-4-501, 49-4-502, 49-4-602, 53-19-401, 53-19-402
HB0184_2(4): 2-18-704, 13-1-101, 20-8-102, 20-8-104, 20-8-107, 20-8-116, 33-22-128, 37-16-102, 49-4-501, 49-4-502, 49-4-602, 53-19-401, 53-19-402
HB0184_2(5): 2-18-704, 13-1-101, 20-8-102, 20-8-104, 20-8-107, 20-8-116, 33-22-128, 37-16-102, 49-4-501, 49-4-502, 49-4-602, 53-19-401, 53-19-402
HB0184_2(6): 2-18-704, 13-1-101, 20-8-102, 20-8-104, 20-8-107, 20-8-116, 33-22-128, 37-16-102, 49-4-501, 49-4-502, 49-4-602, 53-19-401, 53-19-402
HB0184_2(7): 2-18-704, 13-1-101, 20-8-102, 20-8-104, 20-8-107, 20-8-116, 33-22-128, 37-16-102, 49-4-501, 49-4-502, 49-4-602, 53-19-401, 53-19-402
HB0184_2(8): 2-18-704, 13-1-101, 20-8-102, 20-8-104, 20-8-107, 20-8-116, 33-22-128, 37-16-102, 49-4-501, 49-4-502, 49-4-602, 53-19-401, 53-19-402
HB0184_2(9): 2-18-704, 13-1-101, 20-8-102, 20-8-104, 20-8-107, 20-8-116, 33-22-128, 37-16-102, 49-4-501, 49-4-502, 49-4-602, 53-19-401, 53-19-402
HB0184_2: 2-18-704, 13-1-101, 20-8-102, 20-8-104, 20-8-107, 20-8-116, 33-22-128, 37-16-102, 49-4-501, 49-4-502, 49-4-602, 53-19-401, 53-19-402
HB0184_X(1): 2-18-704, 13-1-101, 20-8-102, 20-8-104, 20-8-107, 20-8-116, 33-22-128, 37-16-102, 49-4-501, 49-4-502, 49-4-602, 53-19-401, 53-19-402
HB0184_X(2): 2-18-704, 13-1-101, 20-8-102, 20-8-104, 20-8-107, 20-8-116, 33-22-128, 37-16-102, 49-4-501, 49-4-502, 49-4-602, 53-19-401, 53-19-402
HB0184_X: 2-18-704, 13-1-101, 20-8-102, 20-8-104, 20-8-107, 20-8-116, 33-22-128, 37-16-102, 49-4-501, 49-4-502, 49-4-602, 53-19-401, 53-19-402