House Bill No. [insert bill number] seeks to create a comprehensive licensing and regulatory framework for community health workers in Montana. The bill establishes the purpose of promoting ethical and professional practices among these workers, defines essential terms, and outlines specific licensing requirements, such as age, completion of a training program, and supervised experience. The Department of Labor and Industry is empowered with rulemaking authority to enforce these provisions and review training curricula for potential endorsements. Additionally, the bill clarifies exceptions to the licensing requirement for certain professionals and activities, while also amending Section 37-1-401 to include community health workers in the definitions of licensed professions. It further introduces provisions for Medicaid reimbursement for services rendered by licensed community health workers, contingent on available funding.

Moreover, the bill codifies specific provisions into a new chapter in Title 37 of the Montana Code, ensuring that the regulations and guidelines are formally integrated into the existing legal framework. It also makes several deletions from current law, including the requirement for the department to provide explanations for proposed changes and estimated budget impacts over the next four fiscal years. Additionally, it removes language regarding the department's ability to prioritize medical assistance when funds are insufficient and the termination dates for certain provisions. These amendments aim to streamline the legislative process and potentially adjust the scope of medical services under the Montana Medicaid program, ultimately enhancing the support and integration of community health workers into the healthcare system.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 37-1-401, 53-6-101
HB0850_1(1): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
HB0850_1(2): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
HB0850_1(3): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
HB0850_1(4): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
HB0850_1(5): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
HB0850_1(6): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
HB0850_1(7): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
HB0850_1(8): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
HB0850_1(9): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
HB0850_1: 37-1-401, 53-6-101
HB0850_2(1): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
HB0850_2(10): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
HB0850_2(11): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
HB0850_2(2): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
HB0850_2(3): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
HB0850_2(4): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
HB0850_2(5): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
HB0850_2(6): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
HB0850_2(7): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
HB0850_2(8): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
HB0850_2(9): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
HB0850_2: 37-1-401, 53-6-101
HB0850_3(1): 37-1-401, 53-6-101
HB0850_3: 37-1-401, 53-6-101