WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HJ 75

Interim study of the Montana state hospital

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Scott DeMarois

Would establish an interim legislative study to examine Montana State Hospital operations, needs, and policy issues to inform future changes.

(H) Died in Process
#interimstudyresolutions
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HJ 75

Summary — HJ 75: Interim study of the Montana State Hospital

Status: Joint resolution — Died in Process (House)
Introduced: LC drafter assigned Jan 21, 2025; formally introduced in the House on Apr 23, 2025
Related draft: LC 4342 (replacement)

Purpose

HJ 75 is a joint resolution that would (if adopted) establish an interim legislative study focused on the Montana State Hospital. The stated intent is to direct the Legislature — through the appropriate interim committee — to examine the operations, needs, and policy issues related to the state hospital so the Legislature can consider any necessary policy, funding, statutory, or administrative changes.

Key provisions (as typical for an interim-study resolution)

The resolution would:
- Direct an interim committee (commonly the Human Services or a specifically named interim study group) to study the Montana State Hospital.
- Identify the scope of the study (administration, bed capacity, patient mix — e.g., civil and forensic admissions — staffing, facility condition, funding models, discharge planning, coordination with community providers, and legal/operational barriers).
- Require the committee to hold hearings, receive testimony from stakeholders (hospital leadership, state agencies, providers, patients/families, local governments), and obtain necessary reports or data.
- Direct the committee to produce a final report with findings and recommendations for consideration by the next regular legislative session.

Note: The bill text is not included in the legislative actions provided. The items above reflect the routine structure and expected elements of a joint resolution establishing an interim study.

Who would be affected

  • Montana State Hospital leadership and staff (reporting and participating in hearings)
  • Department of Public Health and Human Services and other state agencies involved in mental health/forensic services
  • County courts, prosecutors, and local behavioral health providers (insofar as coordination and referrals are reviewed)
  • Patients and families (as subjects of policy recommendations)
  • Legislators and interim committees (responsible for conducting the study and drafting recommendations)

Procedural history & timeline

  • Apr 23, 2025: Introduced in House; referred to House Human Services; committee executive action adopted.
  • Apr 24–25, 2025: House Human Services reported the resolution passed; 2nd Reading passed.
  • Apr 28, 2025: Passed House 3rd Reading; transmitted to Senate; referred to Senate Public Health, Welfare and Safety; committee executive action adopted.
  • Apr 29–30, 2025: Senate actions included first reading and committee concurrence, but 2nd Reading motion failed and was indefinitely postponed on Apr 30.
  • May 22, 2025: Resolution status recorded as “Died in Process” in the House.

Practical effect / likely outcomes

As a study resolution, HJ 75 would not itself change statutes or appropriate funds. Its primary effect would be to gather information and recommendations that could inform future legislation or budget requests addressing capacity, staffing, facility needs, or policy reforms for the Montana State Hospital. Because the resolution died in process, no interim study under HJ 75 proceeded without a subsequent or replacement measure.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.