House Bill No. introduced by M. Caferro establishes priority criteria for awarding contracts related to public assistance and human services in Montana. The bill emphasizes the importance of local human service providers, who are seen as uniquely qualified to address the specific needs of their communities. It mandates that contracts for services such as family services, housing assistance, and energy assistance be awarded based on a scoring system that prioritizes factors such as the provider's experience in the area, the duration of service provision in the state, their ability to leverage local partnerships, and the potential for job creation relative to the local population.

Additionally, the bill includes a codification instruction indicating that the new section outlining these priority criteria will be integrated into Title 18, chapter 4, part 3 of Montana law. This legislative move aims to ensure that local providers are supported, thereby keeping tax dollars within the state and enhancing community vitality.