Committee approves consolidation of three allied‑health licensing boards into one

The Senate Business, Labor and Economic Affairs Committee voted to pass House Bill 502, which consolidates three existing licensing boards for low‑volume allied health professions into a single Board of Allied Health Care Professionals.

Representative Greg Oblander, sponsor, said the consolidation reduces administrative duplication by combining the three five‑member boards into a seven‑member board with two members each from clinical laboratory scientists, radiologic technologists and respiratory therapists, plus a public member. Oblander said the change is intended to produce cost savings for the Department of Labor and Industry and streamline rulemaking.

Sarah Swanson, commissioner for the Department of Labor and Industry, and Kevin Bragg, the department’s bureau chief for professional licensing, testified in support. Swanson provided counts of practitioners in the affected fields to demonstrate the low volumes: about 1,091 clinical laboratory scientists, 1,008 respiratory care providers, and 2,157 radiologic technicians in Montana. They said licensing and discipline standards would remain unchanged and that the consolidation follows extensive stakeholder work and 18 months of language workshopping.

The sponsor noted the bill would not go into effect immediately; it includes a delayed effective date (January 1) to allow current boards to finish rulemaking and transition duties. The committee passed HB 502 and assigned a floor carrier.

Proponents said the consolidation should maintain professional discipline expertise on screening panels while improving administrative responsiveness and applicant processing times. No opponents were recorded in the hearing.

HB 502 now advances to the Senate floor with a committee recommendation to pass.