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Senate Judiciary advances bill to reimburse counties for housing DPHHS detainees, adds daily-rate amendment
Summary
The committee approved HB 643 with sponsor amendments to create a reimbursement mechanism from a behavioral-health special revenue account and set a statutory daily rate tied to private facility costs; proponents said $6 million one‑time appropriation will relieve county jail burdens.
House Bill 643, sponsored by Representative Tracy Sharp, would authorize a state special revenue appropriation to reimburse counties that hold individuals who are legally in the custody of the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) — people awaiting evaluation, restoration or placement in mental‑health facilities.
Representative Jane Gillette told the committee the bill draws $6,000,000 one‑time from the Behavioral Health for Future Generations fund (the fund created in prior legislation) to reimburse counties and help address costs for inmates who cannot be bunked and require higher levels of care. "This bill takes $6,000,000 from that fund and dedicates it, one time only for this purpose," Gillette said during proponents' testimony.
Sheriffs and county attorneys described the financial strain of holding DPHHS‑committed individuals. Nanette Gilbertson (Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association and Montana County Attorneys Association) outlined a history of county reimbursement for DOC inmates and advocated for the amendment that sets a statutory daily rate equal to 150% of a private facility daily rate. County proponents including Jason Stroouf (MAKO) and Nick Eisle (Fallon County Sheriff's Office) detailed local detention costs and the operational burden on detention staff.
The committee adopted sponsor and stakeholder amendments that clarify definitions and the daily rate calculation and concurred in HB 643 as amended in executive action. Committee members noted the bill passed unanimously out of the House Judiciary committee and framed the measure as a targeted, short‑term relief while longer‑term behavioral-health solutions continue.
What’s next: HB 643 was concurred in by the Senate Judiciary committee with amendments; Senator Usher volunteered to carry the bill to the Senate floor.
