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Committee advances $600,000 bill to train clinicians in brief PTSD protocol
Summary
Senators voted to advance HB832, a bill that would provide $600,000 to train clinicians in the Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories (RTM) protocol and support outcome reporting; proponents emphasized rapid outcomes and rural access.
Representative Jerry Schillinger presented House Bill 832 to fund training for clinicians in the Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories protocol, arguing the program could rapidly reduce PTSD symptoms and expand access in rural Montana. "This bill asks for 600,000 taxpayer dollars," he told the committee, explaining the grant would train 100 clinicians and fund ongoing supervision and outcome reporting.
Multiple proponents — including veterans, treatment-court volunteers and representatives of the Post Traumatic Training Institute — described clinical trials and practitioner experience with RTM and urged support. Robin Hampton, the institute's global director of education and training, described the training as intensive, evidence-informed and followed by weekly supervision for clinicians.
Quinlan O'Connor (Department of Labor and Industry) said the department would run a competitive procurement (RFP) for a single awardee under the bill's language. Committee members probed whether the appropriation would require use of RTM specifically; O'Connor said the RFP parameters would specify a non‑medication PTSD treatment and the department would rank and select bidders accordingly.
The committee voted to move HB832 out of committee to the floor. The bill requires further detail in procurement design and outcome reporting if funded.
