The bill proposes the elimination of the Board of Public Assistance and revises the procedures for appeals related to public assistance claims. Specifically, it amends Section 53-2-606 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to remove references to the Board of Public Assistance, allowing applicants or recipients to appeal directly to the department for a fair hearing. The bill also repeals Section 2-15-2203, which pertains to the Board of Public Assistance's quasi-judicial functions.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for a transition period, ensuring that the Board remains operational until all pending appeals filed before the effective date are resolved. It establishes that the act will take effect upon passage, with specific sections, including the repeal of the Board, becoming effective on October 1, 2025. The bill also clarifies that it does not affect any rights or duties that were established prior to the effective date.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 53-2-606
SB0194_1(1): 53-2-606
SB0194_1(2): 53-2-606
SB0194_1(3): 53-2-606
SB0194_1(4): 53-2-606
SB0194_1: 53-2-606