House Bill 184 aims to enhance the dignity and respect for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing in Montana by revising various laws and updating terminology. Key amendments include changing the term "hearing impaired" to "deaf or hard-of-hearing" and modifying health insurance coverage requirements to ensure that children with hearing loss receive necessary diagnosis and treatment for "various auditory ranges." The bill also establishes provisions for the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind to negotiate agreements with out-of-state educational institutions, ensuring equitable admission terms for Indian children who are Montana residents.

Additionally, the bill emphasizes the importance of early identification and intervention for newborns who may be deaf or hard of hearing by establishing a universal newborn hearing screening program. It mandates that health insurance plans provide coverage for medical necessities prescribed by licensed healthcare providers, ensuring that coverage limitations do not disproportionately affect children with hearing loss. Overall, House Bill 184 seeks to create a more inclusive and supportive legal framework for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, reflecting current understanding and promoting equitable access to services and education.

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