The bill revises the Decennial Veterans' Long-Term Care Needs Study by transferring primary responsibility for the survey from the Department of Public Health and Human Services to the Montana Veterans' Affairs Division. It mandates the involvement of various stakeholders, including veterans' outreach organizations, legislators, and caregivers, in the study process. The Montana Veterans' Affairs Division is required to prepare a study plan and budget estimate prior to conducting the study, which will analyze the long-term care needs of veterans in Montana based on the most recent federal census data. The study will also include a personal survey of the veteran population and may involve focus groups.

Additionally, the bill updates the reporting requirements for the study. The Montana Veterans' Affairs Division must present a plan and budget estimate to the state administration and veterans' affairs interim committee before the study begins and provide updates during its execution. Upon completion, a written report detailing the study's results and recommendations for legislative actions must be submitted to the committee. The amendments to sections 10-2-901, 10-2-902, and 10-2-903 of the Montana Code Annotated reflect these changes, including the insertion of new language regarding stakeholder involvement and the preparation of an outreach and marketing plan.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 10-2-901, 10-2-902, 10-2-903
HB0566_1(1): 10-2-901, 10-2-902, 10-2-903
HB0566_1(2): 10-2-901, 10-2-902, 10-2-903
HB0566_1(3): 10-2-901, 10-2-902, 10-2-903
HB0566_1(4): 10-2-901, 10-2-902, 10-2-903
HB0566_1(5): 10-2-901, 10-2-902, 10-2-903
HB0566_1(6): 10-2-901, 10-2-902, 10-2-903
HB0566_1: 10-2-901, 10-2-902, 10-2-903
HB0566_X(1): 10-2-901, 10-2-902, 10-2-903
HB0566_X(10): 10-2-901, 10-2-902, 10-2-903
HB0566_X(11): 10-2-901, 10-2-902, 10-2-903
HB0566_X(2): 10-2-901, 10-2-902, 10-2-903
HB0566_X(3): 10-2-901, 10-2-902, 10-2-903
HB0566_X(4): 10-2-901, 10-2-902, 10-2-903
HB0566_X(5): 10-2-901, 10-2-902, 10-2-903
HB0566_X(6): 10-2-901, 10-2-902, 10-2-903
HB0566_X(7): 10-2-901, 10-2-902, 10-2-903
HB0566_X(8): 10-2-901, 10-2-902, 10-2-903
HB0566_X(9): 10-2-901, 10-2-902, 10-2-903
HB0566_X: 10-2-901, 10-2-902, 10-2-903