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Dietitian licensure compact draws support for military spouses and telehealth continuity
Summary
The House Business and Labor Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 279, which would enable Montana to join the Dietitian Licensure Compact so registered dietitians holding an active home‑state license could practice in other compact states without separate full licensure.
The House Business and Labor Committee heard Senate Bill 279 on March 17, a proposal to have Montana join the Dietitian Licensure Compact. The compact would allow registered dietitians who hold an active, unencumbered license in a member state to practice in other compact states under a governed compact privilege.
Sponsor Wendy McCamey and proponents said the compact would reduce administrative burden for clinicians who move across state lines, particularly military spouses, and would make it easier to deliver nutrition services by telehealth across state borders. Proponents included the Montana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, hospital systems, private-practice clinicians and the Montana Board of Medical Examiners.
Drew Geiger and others stressed the compact’s workforce benefits for relocating clinicians; Catherine Scruggs, a registered dietitian and military spouse, described personal impacts of relocation and said the compact would shorten the time it takes to be eligible to practice after a move. "Passing SB 279 will provide graduates like me greater opportunities to become established and thrive in Montana while serving clients partly in other states," an online proponent said.
The Council of State Governments staff explained that the compact preserves state regulatory authority, requires background checks and will be governed by a commission once seven states enact the compact. Testimony cited five states that have already enacted the dietitian compact (Alabama, Nebraska, Tennessee, Ohio and South Dakota) and said two more states are needed for the commission to convene.
The Department of Labor and Industry provided a fiscal estimate, saying the licensing system will require internal configuration work that the department estimates at about $13,080; fingerprint‑based background checks required by the compact would be paid by applicants.
Proponents and a board representative said the compact strengthens public protection by sharing licensure and disciplinary information among member states and eases access to care for patients who travel, relocate or receive telehealth services.
No opponents spoke; the committee took testimony but did not vote at the hearing.
Why it matters: Supporters said the compact would increase continuity of care, support military families and expand access to nutrition services via telehealth and interstate practice while preserving state oversight and discipline reporting.
