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Senate hears progress reports on two bills aiming to ease access to Montana State Hospital beds; sponsors seek more time to finalize amendments
Summary
Senate Bill 4-29 and 4-30, proposals to change commitment and admission processes for behavioral-health patients and to ease pressure on the Montana State Hospital, drew support from the Department of Public Health and Human Services and widespread requests from providers for more time and for funding for additional beds.
Senate Bill 4-29 and Senate Bill 4-30, both sponsored by Sen. John Esp, are companion bills that address access to inpatient psychiatric care and the off‑ramp into the Montana State Hospital. Committee members heard that the measures are still being negotiated and that stakeholders — including hospitals, county attorneys, sheriffs and behavioral‑health advocates — asked for more time to reach consensus.
Why it matters: Witnesses told the committee that Montana’s shortage of psychiatric beds has left community hospitals and emergency…
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