House Bill No. introduced by J. Fitzpatrick proposes the establishment of a new Department of Health Services in Montana, which will take over the administration of state-owned health care facilities from the Department of Public Health and Human Services. The bill outlines the appointment of a director by the governor and the transfer of various human services functions, including developmental disabilities and mental health services, to the new department. It mandates that all contracts for human services include a dispute resolution clause and amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to reflect this structural change, including updates to the definitions of "department" and the composition of various boards and councils to include representatives from the new department.

Additionally, the bill includes significant amendments to reporting requirements, specifying that the Department of Health Services will be responsible for certain reports previously assigned to the Department of Public Health and Human Services. It also introduces a funding appropriation of $170,000 from the general fund for the department's functions and outlines a transition plan for reallocating responsibilities and personnel by July 1, 2026. The bill emphasizes enhancing governance and operational efficiency in health services while ensuring better representation and support for individuals with disabilities in Montana, with an effective date set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 2-12-103, 2-15-104, 2-15-112, 2-15-211, 2-15-225, 2-15-232, 2-15-1205, 2-15-1869, 2-15-2212, 2-18-1202, 3-5-901, 5-5-225, 5-11-222, 5-12-303, 5-12-501, 7-22-2151, 10-2-401, 10-2-402, 10-2-403, 10-2-404, 10-2-416, 10-2-417, 10-2-901, 16-1-404, 16-1-406, 16-1-411, 16-11-119, 16-12-122, 17-2-108, 17-3-1001, 17-3-1002, 17-7-111, 18-4-133, 33-22-702, 44-5-302, 45-5-513, 45-8-356, 46-1-1103, 46-14-202, 46-14-221, 46-14-222, 46-14-301, 46-14-302, 46-14-303, 46-14-304, 46-14-311, 46-14-312, 46-19-202, 46-23-201, 46-23-208, 50-3-102, 50-21-103, 53-1-211, 53-1-216, 53-1-401, 53-1-601, 53-1-602, 53-1-603, 53-1-604, 53-1-610, 53-1-611, 53-1-612, 53-6-603, 53-18-101, 53-19-102, 53-20-102, 53-20-104, 53-20-125, 53-20-133, 53-20-146, 53-20-161, 53-20-163, 53-20-173, 53-20-174, 53-20-202, 53-20-213, 53-20-224, 53-20-225, 53-20-302, 53-20-303, 53-20-304, 53-20-306, 53-20-307, 53-20-504, 53-20-505, 53-20-601, 53-21-102, 53-21-104, 53-21-106, 53-21-147, 53-21-148, 53-21-194, 53-21-401, 53-21-403, 53-21-406, 53-21-407, 53-21-411, 53-21-413, 53-21-414, 53-21-601, 53-21-701, 53-21-702, 53-21-1202, 53-22-102, 53-22-104, 53-24-103, 53-24-106, 53-24-108, 53-24-302, 53-24-310, 53-24-311, 53-24-313, 53-25-103, 53-25-105, 76-2-411, 87-2-802, 90-7-220, 90-7-221
HB0851_1(1): 2-12-103, 2-15-104, 2-15-112, 2-15-211, 2-15-225, 2-15-232, 2-15-1205, 2-15-1869, 2-15-2212, 2-18-1202, 3-5-901, 5-5-225, 5-11-222, 5-12-303, 5-12-501, 7-22-2151, 10-2-401, 10-2-402, 10-2-403, 10-2-404, 10-2-416, 10-2-417, 10-2-901, 16-1-404, 16-1-406, 16-1-411, 16-11-119, 16-12-122, 17-2-108, 17-3-1001, 17-3-1002, 17-7-111, 18-4-133, 33-22-702, 44-5-302, 45-5-513, 45-8-356, 46-1-1103, 46-14-202, 46-14-221, 46-14-222, 46-14-301, 46-14-302, 46-14-303, 46-14-304, 46-14-311, 46-14-312, 46-19-202, 46-23-201, 46-23-208, 50-3-102, 50-21-103, 53-1-211, 53-1-216, 53-1-401, 53-1-601, 53-1-602, 53-1-603, 53-1-604, 53-1-610, 53-1-611, 53-1-612, 53-6-603, 53-18-101, 53-19-102, 53-20-102, 53-20-104, 53-20-125, 53-20-133, 53-20-146, 53-20-161, 53-20-163, 53-20-173, 53-20-174, 53-20-202, 53-20-213, 53-20-224, 53-20-225, 53-20-302, 53-20-303, 53-20-304, 53-20-306, 53-20-307, 53-20-504, 53-20-505, 53-20-601, 53-21-102, 53-21-104, 53-21-106, 53-21-147, 53-21-148, 53-21-194, 53-21-401, 53-21-403, 53-21-406, 53-21-407, 53-21-411, 53-21-413, 53-21-414, 53-21-601, 53-21-701, 53-21-702, 53-21-1202, 53-22-102, 53-22-104, 53-24-103, 53-24-106, 53-24-108, 53-24-302, 53-24-310, 53-24-311, 53-24-313, 53-25-103, 53-25-105, 76-2-411, 87-2-802, 90-7-220, 90-7-221
HB0851_1(2): 2-12-103, 2-15-104, 2-15-112, 2-15-211, 2-15-225, 2-15-232, 2-15-1205, 2-15-1869, 2-15-2212, 2-18-1202, 3-5-901, 5-5-225, 5-11-222, 5-12-303, 5-12-501, 7-22-2151, 10-2-401, 10-2-402, 10-2-403, 10-2-404, 10-2-416, 10-2-417, 10-2-901, 16-1-404, 16-1-406, 16-1-411, 16-11-119, 16-12-122, 17-2-108, 17-3-1001, 17-3-1002, 17-7-111, 18-4-133, 33-22-702, 44-5-302, 45-5-513, 45-8-356, 46-1-1103, 46-14-202, 46-14-221, 46-14-222, 46-14-301, 46-14-302, 46-14-303, 46-14-304, 46-14-311, 46-14-312, 46-19-202, 46-23-201, 46-23-208, 50-3-102, 50-21-103, 53-1-211, 53-1-216, 53-1-401, 53-1-601, 53-1-602, 53-1-603, 53-1-604, 53-1-610, 53-1-611, 53-1-612, 53-6-603, 53-18-101, 53-19-102, 53-20-102, 53-20-104, 53-20-125, 53-20-133, 53-20-146, 53-20-161, 53-20-163, 53-20-173, 53-20-174, 53-20-202, 53-20-213, 53-20-224, 53-20-225, 53-20-302, 53-20-303, 53-20-304, 53-20-306, 53-20-307, 53-20-504, 53-20-505, 53-20-601, 53-21-102, 53-21-104, 53-21-106, 53-21-147, 53-21-148, 53-21-194, 53-21-401, 53-21-403, 53-21-406, 53-21-407, 53-21-411, 53-21-413, 53-21-414, 53-21-601, 53-21-701, 53-21-702, 53-21-1202, 53-22-102, 53-22-104, 53-24-103, 53-24-106, 53-24-108, 53-24-302, 53-24-310, 53-24-311, 53-24-313, 53-25-103, 53-25-105, 76-2-411, 87-2-802, 90-7-220, 90-7-221
HB0851_1(3): 2-12-103, 2-15-104, 2-15-112, 2-15-211, 2-15-225, 2-15-232, 2-15-1205, 2-15-1869, 2-15-2212, 2-18-1202, 3-5-901, 5-5-225, 5-11-222, 5-12-303, 5-12-501, 7-22-2151, 10-2-401, 10-2-402, 10-2-403, 10-2-404, 10-2-416, 10-2-417, 10-2-901, 16-1-404, 16-1-406, 16-1-411, 16-11-119, 16-12-122, 17-2-108, 17-3-1001, 17-3-1002, 17-7-111, 18-4-133, 33-22-702, 44-5-302, 45-5-513, 45-8-356, 46-1-1103, 46-14-202, 46-14-221, 46-14-222, 46-14-301, 46-14-302, 46-14-303, 46-14-304, 46-14-311, 46-14-312, 46-19-202, 46-23-201, 46-23-208, 50-3-102, 50-21-103, 53-1-211, 53-1-216, 53-1-401, 53-1-601, 53-1-602, 53-1-603, 53-1-604, 53-1-610, 53-1-611, 53-1-612, 53-6-603, 53-18-101, 53-19-102, 53-20-102, 53-20-104, 53-20-125, 53-20-133, 53-20-146, 53-20-161, 53-20-163, 53-20-173, 53-20-174, 53-20-202, 53-20-213, 53-20-224, 53-20-225, 53-20-302, 53-20-303, 53-20-304, 53-20-306, 53-20-307, 53-20-504, 53-20-505, 53-20-601, 53-21-102, 53-21-104, 53-21-106, 53-21-147, 53-21-148, 53-21-194, 53-21-401, 53-21-403, 53-21-406, 53-21-407, 53-21-411, 53-21-413, 53-21-414, 53-21-601, 53-21-701, 53-21-702, 53-21-1202, 53-22-102, 53-22-104, 53-24-103, 53-24-106, 53-24-108, 53-24-302, 53-24-310, 53-24-311, 53-24-313, 53-25-103, 53-25-105, 76-2-411, 87-2-802, 90-7-220, 90-7-221
HB0851_1(4): 2-12-103, 2-15-104, 2-15-112, 2-15-211, 2-15-225, 2-15-232, 2-15-1205, 2-15-1869, 2-15-2212, 2-18-1202, 3-5-901, 5-5-225, 5-11-222, 5-12-303, 5-12-501, 7-22-2151, 10-2-401, 10-2-402, 10-2-403, 10-2-404, 10-2-416, 10-2-417, 10-2-901, 16-1-404, 16-1-406, 16-1-411, 16-11-119, 16-12-122, 17-2-108, 17-3-1001, 17-3-1002, 17-7-111, 18-4-133, 33-22-702, 44-5-302, 45-5-513, 45-8-356, 46-1-1103, 46-14-202, 46-14-221, 46-14-222, 46-14-301, 46-14-302, 46-14-303, 46-14-304, 46-14-311, 46-14-312, 46-19-202, 46-23-201, 46-23-208, 50-3-102, 50-21-103, 53-1-211, 53-1-216, 53-1-401, 53-1-601, 53-1-602, 53-1-603, 53-1-604, 53-1-610, 53-1-611, 53-1-612, 53-6-603, 53-18-101, 53-19-102, 53-20-102, 53-20-104, 53-20-125, 53-20-133, 53-20-146, 53-20-161, 53-20-163, 53-20-173, 53-20-174, 53-20-202, 53-20-213, 53-20-224, 53-20-225, 53-20-302, 53-20-303, 53-20-304, 53-20-306, 53-20-307, 53-20-504, 53-20-505, 53-20-601, 53-21-102, 53-21-104, 53-21-106, 53-21-147, 53-21-148, 53-21-194, 53-21-401, 53-21-403, 53-21-406, 53-21-407, 53-21-411, 53-21-413, 53-21-414, 53-21-601, 53-21-701, 53-21-702, 53-21-1202, 53-22-102, 53-22-104, 53-24-103, 53-24-106, 53-24-108, 53-24-302, 53-24-310, 53-24-311, 53-24-313, 53-25-103, 53-25-105, 76-2-411, 87-2-802, 90-7-220, 90-7-221
HB0851_1(5): 2-12-103, 2-15-104, 2-15-112, 2-15-211, 2-15-225, 2-15-232, 2-15-1205, 2-15-1869, 2-15-2212, 2-18-1202, 3-5-901, 5-5-225, 5-11-222, 5-12-303, 5-12-501, 7-22-2151, 10-2-401, 10-2-402, 10-2-403, 10-2-404, 10-2-416, 10-2-417, 10-2-901, 16-1-404, 16-1-406, 16-1-411, 16-11-119, 16-12-122, 17-2-108, 17-3-1001, 17-3-1002, 17-7-111, 18-4-133, 33-22-702, 44-5-302, 45-5-513, 45-8-356, 46-1-1103, 46-14-202, 46-14-221, 46-14-222, 46-14-301, 46-14-302, 46-14-303, 46-14-304, 46-14-311, 46-14-312, 46-19-202, 46-23-201, 46-23-208, 50-3-102, 50-21-103, 53-1-211, 53-1-216, 53-1-401, 53-1-601, 53-1-602, 53-1-603, 53-1-604, 53-1-610, 53-1-611, 53-1-612, 53-6-603, 53-18-101, 53-19-102, 53-20-102, 53-20-104, 53-20-125, 53-20-133, 53-20-146, 53-20-161, 53-20-163, 53-20-173, 53-20-174, 53-20-202, 53-20-213, 53-20-224, 53-20-225, 53-20-302, 53-20-303, 53-20-304, 53-20-306, 53-20-307, 53-20-504, 53-20-505, 53-20-601, 53-21-102, 53-21-104, 53-21-106, 53-21-147, 53-21-148, 53-21-194, 53-21-401, 53-21-403, 53-21-406, 53-21-407, 53-21-411, 53-21-413, 53-21-414, 53-21-601, 53-21-701, 53-21-702, 53-21-1202, 53-22-102, 53-22-104, 53-24-103, 53-24-106, 53-24-108, 53-24-302, 53-24-310, 53-24-311, 53-24-313, 53-25-103, 53-25-105, 76-2-411, 87-2-802, 90-7-220, 90-7-221
HB0851_1: 2-12-103, 2-15-104, 2-15-112, 2-15-211, 2-15-225, 2-15-232, 2-15-1205, 2-15-1869, 2-15-2212, 2-18-1202, 3-5-901, 5-5-225, 5-11-222, 5-12-303, 5-12-501, 7-22-2151, 10-2-401, 10-2-402, 10-2-403, 10-2-404, 10-2-416, 10-2-417, 10-2-901, 16-1-404, 16-1-406, 16-1-411, 16-11-119, 16-12-122, 17-2-108, 17-3-1001, 17-3-1002, 17-7-111, 18-4-133, 33-22-702, 44-5-302, 45-5-513, 45-8-356, 46-1-1103, 46-14-202, 46-14-221, 46-14-222, 46-14-301, 46-14-302, 46-14-303, 46-14-304, 46-14-311, 46-14-312, 46-19-202, 46-23-201, 46-23-208, 50-3-102, 50-21-103, 53-1-211, 53-1-216, 53-1-401, 53-1-601, 53-1-602, 53-1-603, 53-1-604, 53-1-610, 53-1-611, 53-1-612, 53-6-603, 53-18-101, 53-19-102, 53-20-102, 53-20-104, 53-20-125, 53-20-133, 53-20-146, 53-20-161, 53-20-163, 53-20-173, 53-20-174, 53-20-202, 53-20-213, 53-20-224, 53-20-225, 53-20-302, 53-20-303, 53-20-304, 53-20-306, 53-20-307, 53-20-504, 53-20-505, 53-20-601, 53-21-102, 53-21-104, 53-21-106, 53-21-147, 53-21-148, 53-21-194, 53-21-401, 53-21-403, 53-21-406, 53-21-407, 53-21-411, 53-21-413, 53-21-414, 53-21-601, 53-21-701, 53-21-702, 53-21-1202, 53-22-102, 53-22-104, 53-24-103, 53-24-106, 53-24-108, 53-24-302, 53-24-310, 53-24-311, 53-24-313, 53-25-103, 53-25-105, 76-2-411, 87-2-802, 90-7-220, 90-7-221