Park County health official clarifies Bill 888 would bar requiring vaccination or treatment to exit quarantine

Park County health department staff answered questions from the public on Tuesday about a state bill — referred to in the meeting as Bill 888 — that would prohibit requiring vaccination or treatment as a condition for release from quarantine.

A resident asked for clarification after hearing county testimony. Sabina Strauss Gardner said she was confused about whether county policy already required vaccination or treatment as a condition to leave quarantine and why a county doctor had testified on the bill.

Travis, identified in the meeting as the health department representative, said the measure “prevents departments from requiring somebody to get a vaccination or a treatment as a condition for getting out of quarantine.” He added that such a requirement is not something counties in Montana have imposed and that counties in the state had not been using quarantine-release conditions in that manner. Travis also said Dr. Desnick testified before a senate committee but clarified that testimony was not in support of the bill; Travis said the bill had not passed committee at that time and would move to the senate at a later date.

Why it matters: The exchange clarified that the proposed bill would limit governmental authority to impose vaccination or treatment requirements tied to quarantine release. County officials told the board and the public that Park County does not currently impose such a condition.

Ending: County staff said they are monitoring the legislation and will report changes to county authority if the bill advances through the legislature.