The bill proposes to amend existing public health and safety regulations by removing roominghouses and boardinghouses from the definitions and requirements applicable to hotels and motels. Specifically, it deletes references to "roominghouse" and "boardinghouse" in several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA), including definitions and regulations governing the operation of these establishments. The bill also revises definitions related to various types of accommodations, ensuring that roominghouses and boardinghouses are no longer subject to the same health and safety standards as hotels and motels.

Additionally, the bill allows the Department of Public Health and Human Services to adopt rules for the operation of bed and breakfasts, hotels, motels, and tourist homes, while explicitly stating that it will not adopt rules for guest ranches and outfitting and guide facilities, although voluntary guidelines may be established. The legislation emphasizes that hotels, motels, and similar accommodations cannot provide professional nursing or personal-care services, and it mandates that any complaints regarding the need for such services in unlicensed facilities be investigated by the department. Overall, the bill aims to streamline regulations for certain types of lodging while ensuring that public health and safety standards are maintained for other accommodations.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 50-50-102, 50-51-102, 50-51-103, 50-51-107
HB0524_1(1): 50-50-102, 50-51-102, 50-51-103, 50-51-107
HB0524_1: 50-50-102, 50-51-102, 50-51-103, 50-51-107