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Bill would create residential treatment center license to keep more youth in Montana
Summary
Sen. Mike Cuff’s SB 191 would create a new residential treatment‑center health‑care license intended to provide an in‑state, insurer‑recognized step‑down for young people leaving inpatient psychiatric care. Proponents said it fills a gap; opponents warned it could weaken recent statutory protections unless safeguards are written into law.
Senator Mike Cuff opened a hearing on Senate Bill 191, saying the bill would create a new residential treatment center health‑care license for lower‑acuity youth mental‑health residential care so more Montana children can stay in‑state and qualify for private insurance coverage. Cuff said a facility in his district already operates at that level and that the new license ‘‘lands right in the middle’’ between high‑acuity psychiatric residential treatment facilities and the state’s private alternative adolescent residential programs (PARP).
Supporters, including Julie Fink, a former residential care program manager in state licensure, told the House Health and Human Services Committee that Montana currently lacks a step‑down residential option covered by most private insurers and that families often…
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