MontanaProposed rules would license community health workers and allow Medicaid payment
The failed proposal would require most people practicing as community health workers to obtain a state license and could permit Medicaid payment for their services.
What it does
People seeking to practice as community health workers would generally need a state license, with training, supervised experience, fees, and several exceptions.
Montana Medicaid could pay for services from licensed community health workers, but coverage would depend on department rules, federal requirements, medical need, and available funds.
Argument forTraining and experience standards could help clinics and families identify community health workers with verified preparation.
Argument againstLicense fees and training requirements could make it harder for some experienced community members to enter this work.
More detail
The Department of Labor and Industry would license people who meet the listed community health worker requirements. The rules would cover people seeking to practice as licensed community health workers in Montana. Applicants would have to be at least 18, pay the required fees, complete an approved or equivalent training program, and complete supervised experience. The department could accept sufficient training or work experience instead of formal training or supervision. Other licensed or certified professionals, certain government or nonprofit workers, and business employees acting only for their employer would be exempt from the license requirement. The department would set rules and could create license endorsements for additional education.
The Medicaid program could include services provided by licensed community health workers. This would apply to Montana Medicaid services provided by community health workers licensed under the proposed licensing sections. The department would set the amount, scope, and duration of services under federal Medicaid rules. Services would have to be medically necessary and efficient and cost-effective. Medicaid funding, federal approval, department rules, and available funds could limit or delay payment. People in the medically needy category could receive fewer or more limited services.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- Jun 27(H) Veto OverrideLatest
- May 27(H) Veto Override Vote in Progress
- May 13(H) Vetoed by Governor Greg GianforteMajor
- May 7(H) Transmitted to GovernorTo Governor
- May 6(S) Signed by PresidentPassed Senate
- May 5(H) Signed by SpeakerPassed House
- May 1(H) Returned from Enrolling
- Apr 30(H) Sent to Enrolling
- Vote recorded Do Concur. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 30(H) 3rd Reading Senate Amendments
- Apr 30(H) Scheduled for 3rd ReadingMinor
- Apr 29(H) 2nd Reading Senate AmendmentsMinor
- Vote recorded Do Concur. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 29(H) Scheduled for 2nd ReadingMinor
- Apr 25(S) Returned to House with Amendments
- Vote recorded Do Concur. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 25(S) 3rd Reading
- Apr 25(S) Scheduled for 3rd ReadingMinor
- Apr 24(S) Motion
- Vote recorded Take HB 850 from Comm-Kassmier. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 22(H) Revised Fiscal Note Signed
- Apr 22(H) Revised Fiscal Note ReceivedMinor
- Apr 18(S) Rereferred to Committee - (S) Finance and ClaimsMinor
- Vote recorded Do Concur. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 18(S) 2nd ReadingMinor
- Apr 18(S) Scheduled for 2nd ReadingMinor
- Apr 16(S) Revised Fiscal Note Requested
- Vote recorded be_concurred_in_as_amended. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 16(S) Committee Report - (S) Business, Labor and Economic Affairs
- Apr 16(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Business, Labor and Economic Affairs
- Apr 15(S) Hearing - (S) Business, Labor and Economic Affairs
- Apr 11(H) Revised Fiscal Note Printed
- Apr 10(H) Fiscal Note Unsigned
- Apr 9(S) Hearing - (S) Business, Labor and Economic Affairs
- Apr 9(H) Revised Fiscal Note ReceivedMinor
- Apr 8(S) Hearing - (S) Business, Labor and Economic Affairs
- Apr 7(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Business, Labor and Economic AffairsMinor
- Apr 7(S) 1st Reading
- Apr 5(H) Transmitted to Senate
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 5(H) 3rd Reading
- Apr 4(H) 2nd ReadingMinor
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 3(H) Revised Fiscal Note Requested
- Apr 2(H) Committee Report - (H) Appropriations
- Vote recorded do_pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 2(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Appropriations
- Apr 1(H) Hearing - (H) Appropriations
- Vote recorded do_pass_as_amended. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 1(H) Rereferred to Committee - (H) AppropriationsMinor
- Apr 1(H) Committee Report - (H) Business and Labor
- Apr 1(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Business and Labor
- Mar 30(H) Fiscal Note Printed
- Mar 29(H) Fiscal Note Unsigned
- Mar 29(H) Fiscal Note ReceivedMinor
- Mar 26(H) Hearing - (H) Business and Labor
- Mar 21(H) 1st Reading
- Mar 21(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Business and LaborMinor
- Mar 20(H) Fiscal Note Requested
- Mar 20(H) Introduced
- Mar 19(LC) Draft Delivered to Requester
- Mar 18(LC) Draft Ready for Delivery
- Mar 18(LC) Draft in Assembly
- Mar 18(LC) Draft in Final Drafter Review
- Mar 17(LC) Draft in Input/Proofing
- Feb 25(LC) Draft in Edit
- Feb 20(LC) Draft in Legal Review
- 2024
- Nov 14(LC) Drafter AssignedIntroduced
HealthcareGovernment & EthicsMental Health