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Committee approves bill setting design and capacity parameters for new behavioral‑health facility
Summary
HB912, sponsored by Representative Kelly, includes amendments on administration responsibility and design capacity; the committee adopted two amendments and passed the bill after debate on facility size and long‑term capacity needs.
The committee passed HB912, legislation that provides direction for development of a behavioral‑health facility. Representative Kelly sponsored the bill and introduced two amendments: one shifting administrative responsibility language from DPHHS to Department of Administration and broadening a location reference from a specific town to 'Eastern Montana'; a second amendment included a design parameter for a facility to house at least 70 patients.
Members debated the minimum capacity and the trade‑offs between centralized large facilities and smaller community‑based options. Vice Chair Howell opposed the minimum capacity amendment, arguing smaller community‑based facilities can be more effective and easier to staff; Representative Kelly said projected demand and recent local holding numbers justified a larger facility.
The committee voted on the amendments and then on final passage. Both amendments were adopted (voice vote/roll call) and the bill passed committee with recorded tallies. Implementation details, including site selection and staffing, will be pursued in later stages and departmental planning.
