Senate Bill No. [insert bill number] proposes the elimination of the Board of Public Assistance in Montana and revises the procedures for appeals related to public assistance claims. The bill 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 of Public Assistance for a fair hearing. Additionally, Section 2 of the bill repeals Section 2-15-2203, which pertains to the Board of Public Assistance's allocation and quasi-judicial functions.

The bill includes provisions for a transition period, ensuring that the Board of Public Assistance remains operational until all pending appeals filed before the effective date are resolved. It also establishes a saving clause to protect rights and duties that matured before the effective date of the act. The bill is set to take effect upon passage and approval, with specific provisions becoming effective on October 1, 2025, and the new appeal procedures applying to appeals filed on or after 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(5): 53-2-606
SB0194_1: 53-2-606