Bill
LC 949
Extends a study on Montana's behavioral health to craft future recommendations; died in process, so no enacted changes.
LC 949 — Extend study to make recommendations for future of behavioral health in Montana
Overview
LC 949 is a bill introduced in Montana concerning the state's behavioral health system. The core idea, as reflected in the title, is to extend a study and produce recommendations on the future of behavioral health in Montana. The bill did not advance and is noted as “Died in Process.”
Purpose and Intent
- Primary aim: Extend the period of a study related to Montana’s behavioral health system and generate recommendations for its future direction.
- Scope implied by the title: Assess current conditions and propose a path forward for behavioral health services, policies, funding, and system design within Montana.
Key Provisions (as implied by the bill title; specific language not provided)
- Extend the duration of a study examining Montana’s behavioral health landscape.
- Require the formulation of recommendations to guide future behavioral health policy and program decisions.
- Convey findings and recommendations to the Legislature (typical for study-extension bills, though exact reporting requirements are not detailed in the provided information).
Who Would Be Affected
- State agencies and officials involved in behavioral health policy and administration (e.g., Montana health and human services entities).
- Behavioral health providers, hospitals, community mental health agencies, and local governments with a stake in services, funding, and access.
- Montanans who rely on behavioral health services, including patients, families, and advocates, through potential changes in policy or program design guided by the study.
Procedural and Timeline Aspects
- Introduced: November 8, 2024.
- Legislative Drafter Assigned: November 8, 2024 (per the provided actions).
- Status: Died in Process as of May 23, 2025, meaning the bill did not proceed to further committee action or floor consideration.
- Implication of status: No enacted changes result from LC 949; any potential impact would depend on future legislation.
Significant Considerations
- Fiscal impact: Not specified; study-extension bills commonly incur administrative costs for agencies and contractors conducting the study and reporting findings.
- Next steps: If desired by legislators, a successor bill could reintroduce or modify the study extension with updated scope, timelines, and reporting requirements.
In summary, LC 949 proposed extending a study to shape recommendations on the future of behavioral health in Montana. It did not advance beyond the drafting stage, so there are no enacted provisions or immediate policy changes associated with it.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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