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Bill to create a behavioral‑health trust fund sparks debate over priorities and duplication
Summary
HB884 would create a Behavioral Health Trust Fund and move capital BISFIG funds into an endowment and a spending account. Supporters urged ongoing funding for prevention; DPHHS warned the bill duplicates and complicates the commission's work and asked the committee to table it; the committee ultimately tabled the bill.
HB884 would create a Behavioral Health Trust Fund governed by a board drawn from the public and shift $75 million of unspent capital funds into a permanent endowment and a statutory appropriation to fund prevention, crisis care, housing supports and other behavioral‑health priorities. Vice Chair S.J. Howell, the sponsor, said the approach focuses on upstream interventions and long‑term funding for community services.
Supporters — including tribal representatives, NAMI Montana and disability advocates — emphasized high suicide rates, tribal community needs, and rural shortages of mental‑health resources. Patrick Yawake cited CDC statistics and argued a dedicated, ongoing fund could save lives.
DPHHS Administrator Megan Peel urged tabling, contending the bill duplicates the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations Commission (BISFIG) work and conflicts with the governor's budget and the commission's recommendations; the department recommended continuing implementation of the commission's plan.
Committee members wrestled with reporting, caps, transfers from capital accounts, and whether the trust would undercut or complement BISFIG. The committee ultimately voted to table the bill after recorded roll call.
