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Bill Summary · HB 653

Legislative bill overview

HB 653 would establish parental rights to access their child's health care information in Montana. The bill passed out of the House Judiciary Committee but failed to advance during second reading and ultimately died when it missed the deadline for general bill transmittal in the 2025 legislative session.

Why this is important

Health information access involves balancing parental authority with adolescent privacy and medical confidentiality. The outcome affects how minors can seek confidential care for sensitive health issues (reproductive health, mental health, substance abuse treatment) while maintaining parental oversight of medical decisions.

Potential points of contention

  • Adolescent confidentiality vs. parental authority: Restrictions on minor privacy in health care could discourage teens from seeking treatment for sensitive issues, potentially creating public health concerns
  • Age threshold ambiguity: The bill's language on which minors qualify and which health information is covered remains unclear from available records
  • Conflicts with existing protections: Montana law already provides confidentiality for certain minors in specific medical contexts (contraception, STI treatment, substance abuse); this bill's interaction with those protections is undefined

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

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