[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6634557,"mediaKeyId","2663845-2020c4e58e8e5e45ce875cb8c3760888","parentId",2663845,"title","Bill would add fentanyl, heroin and cocaine to Montana child‑endangerment statute","audioSeconds",2110,"startMs",4835000,"endMs",6945000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663845-2020c4e58e8e5e45ce875cb8c3760888&start=4835&end=6945","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663845-2020c4e58e8e5e45ce875cb8c3760888/thumbnail_4835000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6634557/Montana/Bill-would-add-fentanyl-heroin-and-cocaine-to-Montana-childendangerment-statute","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6634557-48b52030f56c20d0dd0accc416b498d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1773648743&Signature=l9CQ8FH~CMzS7nCEsjAXFUkmT19vZP7hzwoVJaWNR-gwTHlZTI5iZ5KkpheSF6sr2tLKg9kK9n3PivFsk8NEL3EgOtPBbkq~oJEa3ooBlCSjcOABvD5SsTF3i3OqmY~17Jwp-nEILxqTOZQhyq3wvv2ZQiXN4DkoH7Kyn-WjH8HXczFZFj~UoutLWI375h4I7j0I6wBsqx1omrl51u5EqoSU4FtcfaWfAf1Is9URK2JiUGyDNrmAq5xpNzER~~tja-NUNHA3-oeFqPhLIr-7cE-vR6gY84rtgGdCOvX8V7RidJgIGESat2z~251b60PBuaHh5lbKn50B7i5wUNTX6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-03-17T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Courtney Sprunger opened the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing for House Bill 289, which would explicitly add fentanyl, heroin and cocaine to the statute defining endangering the welfare of a child when a child is knowingly exposed to those substances.

Why it matters: The sponsor said Montana law currently identifies methamphetamine exposure as child endangerment but does not explicitly include other highly lethal drugs now common in Montana communities. She and county attorneys told senators that children have been found in contaminated homes, some cases involving near‑fatal ingestion, and that statutory parity would give prosecutors additional charging tools for dangerous exposure cases.

Supporters included county attorneys, sheriffs and Department of Public Health and Human Services staff. Jesse Counts, DPHHS, said the agency sees daily negative impacts of drug use on children and supported the bill while emphasizing treatment for individuals with substance use disorder. Mike Linder and other county attorneys described fentanyl’s forms and modes of use and urged the committee to close the statutory gap. Joshua Jonas and other witnesses cited Montana overdose data showing fentanyl’s share of overdose deaths rose from 9.1% in 2019 to 54.5% in 2023.

Evidence, testing and prosecution: Senators asked how exposure is proved and whether hair or blood testing is part of the bill; witnesses said hair testing is commonly used in DPHHS cases and that testing can distinguish environmental incidental exposure from levels consistent with use. County attorneys said charging decisions are typically made after considering multiple indicators (drug paraphernalia, admissions, test results); several speakers noted most cases also involve child‑welfare intervention and concurrent DPHHS action. The sponsor acknowledged that more expansive legislation (Senate Bill 231) was pending in the other chamber and said the bills could be coordinated.

No formal committee votes were recorded in the hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Judiciary - Mar 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Courtney Sprunger and county attorneys urged the Judiciary Committee to expand the child‑endangerment statute to include fentanyl, heroin and cocaine, citing rising fentanyl‑related deaths and cases of children exposed in contaminated homes.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MT, Montana","taxId",77694,"location","Montana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6634562,"Bill would allow jail‑based and telehealth competency evaluations to reduce hospital backlog",1586,4002000,5588000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663845-2020c4e58e8e5e45ce875cb8c3760888&start=4002&end=5588","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663845-2020c4e58e8e5e45ce875cb8c3760888/thumbnail_4002000.jpg","/articles/6634562/Montana/Bill-would-allow-jailbased-and-telehealth-competency-evaluations-to-reduce-hospital-backlog","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6634562-e6a23e2de5cadb367fb4b93f93606dd7/orig.mp4?Expires=1773648743&Signature=Usk~huDi5M7JlITzJ8CqOwsbWPEG7l-a8JWj5vVVszElUSfhBAacKJoa~EuwOhoy~DsqjrJGFxmTmqhV9tMbBEPGVz5YsMTLrTop2qUCF7daPNpCjRKtYQwHRQCW1lkoLQ8V08FMycvkur965DARMeffWBG3jXsr9USWvRAy7nlvdIk3II338L~tXdyV2bNsYaLTa0POfJ4~txFQJqnEPihs46bCITl4DRoY05xZv4kmQdSBpsVKt3Z0Ib8mvYuLUJKzbHAnjJcAbf6A25hkfxfbMK~g4Rno9K9Itmlm7-hdhSm718n8q1-Dxdq-xbZHVTm3yIRAGyaXENrP8wVVZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative James Reavis told the Senate Judiciary Committee that House Bill 236 addresses delays in pretrial fitness‑to‑proceed evaluations by authorizing clinical evaluations to be performed in detention centers and by electronic two‑way audio‑visual means when clinically appropriate.

Why it matters: Reavis said Montana's constitutional due‑process requirement for fitness to proceed requires timely evaluations; current practice can create a backlog at Galen, the Warm Springs facility used for evaluations, and delay criminal proceedings. The bill would preserve courtroom protections while allowing evaluations to occur at county detention centers or by telehealth, and it would create a list of qualified evaluators (psychiatrists, psychologists, advanced practice registered nurses) who may perform evaluations when appropriate.

Supporters explained that evaluation and restoration are distinct: evaluation is an assessment of understanding and ability to assist in defense, while restoration (treatment to restore competency) typically requires a hospital or therapeutic setting. David Carlson of Disability Rights Montana said jail‑based evaluations can reduce hospital bed delays and reserve inpatient restoration resources for those who need them.

Committee questions focused on fiscal impact and workforce capacity. Senators noted fiscal notes showing zero net fiscal impact; Representative Reavis and witnesses said evaluations are included in recent mental‑health budget initiatives and argued the bill could reduce costs by avoiding lengthy inpatient evaluation waits. Senators also asked whether local supply of qualified clinicians and willingness to enter detention centers would be adequate; the sponsor said telehealth options and creating an approved evaluator list aim to address geographic gaps. The committee asked the sponsor to follow up with the Department of Corrections and the Office of the Public Defender for details and fiscal clarifications.

No formal committee vote was recorded during the hearing.","Representative James Reavis' bill would authorize fitness‑to‑proceed evaluations in detention centers, permit audio‑visual evaluations and create a roster of approved evaluators to reduce delays and preserve hospital resources for restoration treatment.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6634565,"Montana bill aims to roll back court’s recognition of executive privilege for governor’s records",669,2763000,3432000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663845-2020c4e58e8e5e45ce875cb8c3760888&start=2763&end=3432","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663845-2020c4e58e8e5e45ce875cb8c3760888/thumbnail_2763000.jpg","/articles/6634565/Montana/Montana-bill-aims-to-roll-back-courts-recognition-of-executive-privilege-for-governors-records","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6634565-9cb4d76cef42846cf5bd02380041429b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773648743&Signature=fwjcgpI9ERc6zcmWySbW0A~4bquDRfoVd9ylHYZUEkvob7AWOx1BJlQ1CykxCi6NN6y51nK2AQjr8ZovMEcJnA~2hGcLnx6qSU3k6KKuD7moa3TpZIBoubUdOYfsyLY-GzX0kTUG~5N4OlDDR6Nkd3wOkp1K8N8v4HCyu4YbhLdlmfox9ELfnjwJWvgD~CWOUIFFJavOvYntP5EDk0w~8L7LRL3pyT-IeMqAmmQoO~yoZDTfbDV0ymLswkJdNHGuzt8-6Y0FZL9EOIn9s2bvdUQZvkf~5DrXyDtCe03AhZgGbLvZYvW0sDwjCdX92TfFu8QQltpJgUPt~4Z6cGH08Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Ed Staffman told the Senate Judiciary Committee that House Bill 271 is intended to restore long‑standing transparency in executive branch records after a recent Montana Supreme Court decision recognized a common‑law executive privilege for the governor.

Why it matters: The sponsor said the court’s decision expanded an executive privilege that previously had not been asserted by Montana governors, and that the ruling requires costly in‑camera court reviews that limit public access. Staffman said the bill would distinguish between documents involving policy, politics or legislative matters and those involving personal privacy or statutorily confidential records and would reassert the legislature’s authority to modify common law by statute.

Supporters told senators they regularly help citizens make records requests and that the court decision has created confusion and a practical barrier to access. Durf Johnson of the Montana Environmental Information Center said the bill sets narrow boundaries and could reduce the need for expensive litigation over disclosure. Witnesses cited Article II, Section 9 of the Montana Constitution (the right to inspect public records) and asked the legislature to act to preserve public access.

Committee discussion: Senators asked how the bill would prevent the governor from designating broad categories confidential. The sponsor replied the bill narrows the scope of executive privilege to personal privacy interests and statutorily confidential records; disputes would still sometimes require court review. Representative Staffman said he prepared a historical memo prepared by Evan Barrett documenting prior administrations’ handling of disclosure and that the legislature has the authority to override common law privileges.

No formal votes were recorded in the hearing.","Representative Ed Staffman introduced House Bill 271 to limit a Montana Supreme Court‑recognized executive privilege and restore broader public access to governor’s office records, arguing the change would align law with Montana’s constitutional right to know.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6634570,"Montana bill would eliminate automatic malpractice and MMLP reports to licensing boards",2434,319000,2753000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663845-2020c4e58e8e5e45ce875cb8c3760888&start=319&end=2753","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663845-2020c4e58e8e5e45ce875cb8c3760888/thumbnail_319000.jpg","/articles/6634570/Montana/Montana-bill-would-eliminate-automatic-malpractice-and-MMLP-reports-to-licensing-boards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6634570-07218577e96dda620d0d000f21300bf8/orig.mp4?Expires=1773648743&Signature=MQJpIFmBuCJ0sH7nNW3oBdUDGfAV2hiUDHVTFW2mVbBg56wo0YN-U0bVyeaBRbatZ74U6twgvSAlpjTt1gusYYzcCd8llnQB8t5PS8ZpdKZJg13wcxj5lnJwPuuK5D2SHrvbRXQl8goRQJYsTZUc8p4QlblnbG92Ttv2sKEyR~lxqM8O~FT81HUNfGy0vj8oi4aKoBjR2RHFNYHYvH-x8-GZ9tSDrz-ArjQTCzvLWzpjZX7j3~vGT9bV7s7eAkkF-0YYnZp5~LWrf1Fj2-Cx5iJ~4SJsg9qtGfJz-Z5OluIVzlnn6vOOryM1tv83TZTXmx~EeAdUrM1tyAqg8zWaGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Valerie Moore introduced House Bill 442 to the Senate Judiciary Committee, seeking to end two mandatory reporting requirements that the Department of Labor and Industry says create redundant paperwork without useful investigatory detail.

The bill would remove a statutory requirement that malpractice insurers notify licensing boards when a claim is filed and would also remove a mandate that the Montana Medical Legal Panel (MMLP) send only its case outcome “ballot” to the Department and boards after an MMLP proceeding. The department and hospital representatives said the current reports are one‑page notices that give licensing staff little substantive information and trigger time‑consuming administrative processes.

Why it matters: Proponents said the change would direct limited licensing resources toward complaints with substantive allegations rather than processing de minimis notices. Representative Moore said the bill is intended to “promote administrative simplification by eliminating unnecessary reporting requirements.”

Department of Labor and Industry officials told the committee that Montana already has a public complaint intake process—online and by phone—through which citizens can submit complaints containing the substance needed for an investigation. Sarah Swanson, Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry, said nearly 200,000 Montanans hold occupational licenses administered by the department and that insurer notices and MMLP ballots “don't do anything that we can investigate.” Quinlan O'Connor, chief legal counsel for the department, told senators insurers initially report claims with minimal detail because reporting occurs early in claims processing; he said the more meaningful report to licensing boards continues to arrive through the federally run National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) when malpractice payments are made.

Hospital and provider groups backed the change. Heather O'Hara, vice president at the Montana Hospital Association, and Aden Myhre of Billings Clinic told the committee that automatic reporting can feel like double jeopardy for licensees while consuming board resources. Dr. Kevin Ross, a family physician who described having gone through an MMLP proceeding and later receiving a department notice that suggested potential further action, said the duplicate reporting had been worrisome to him.

Committee discussion and process notes: Senators asked how citizens who want oversight could proceed; department witnesses said the public can file complaints directly at licensingcomplaints.mt.gov and that boards remain the “backstop” with screening panels and administrative hearings. Committee members also pressed the department on staffing trends: the commissioner said the state has more licensees than a decade ago but fewer staff, and described the bill as one way to prioritize investigation workload.

No formal votes were recorded in the hearing. The bill closed with Representative Moore asking for a do‑pass recommendation.","A bill sponsored by Representative Valerie Moore would remove mandatory insurer and Montana Medical Legal Panel reporting to occupational licensing boards, aiming to reduce administrative burden and focus investigations on complaints initiated by patients.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bill would add fentanyl, heroin and cocaine to Montana child‑endangerment statute

Bill would allow jail‑based and telehealth competency evaluations to reduce hospital backlog

Montana bill aims to roll back court’s recognition of executive privilege for governor’s records

Montana bill would eliminate automatic malpractice and MMLP reports to licensing boards