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Senate committee hears mixed views on telehealth registration bill to let out‑of‑state clinicians treat Montanans
Summary
SB 438 would create a streamlined registration for out‑of‑state providers to practice telehealth in Montana. Supporters said it widens access, especially for specialty and rural care; the Department of Labor and multiple professional groups warned it raises administrative, venue and discipline questions and urged further stakeholder work.
Senator Daniel Zolnicoff opened the hearing on Senate Bill 438 by saying the bill would expand who Montanans can see via telehealth by enabling out‑of‑state providers to register to serve Montana patients online.
"We need to allow patients to see providers from other states," Zolnicoff said, noting the practice was used during the COVID pandemic and pointing to several states with registration models. Proponents, including Cicero Action, AARP Montana, the Montana Chamber of Commerce and patient‑advocacy groups, argued the measure removes geographic barriers and could improve access to specialty care in rural communities.
Opponents, notably Commissioner Sarah Swanson and representatives of multiple Montana professional associations, cautioned that the bill as drafted would create a new registration process distinct from licensing, potentially double the workload for the Department of Labor and Industry, and shift disciplinary venue from the administrative licensing process to district courts. Swanson referenced a negotiated House compromise—21‑day temporary licensure (House Bill 414)—and urged more stakeholder engagement.
Committee questioning focused on implementation: how many registrants the department might have to handle, whether registration would duplicate other licensure reform efforts, and how boards would discipline out‑of‑state registrants. Sponsor Zolnicoff emphasized patient choice and pointed to multi‑state experience with similar models. The hearing closed with no committee vote recorded.
