The Montana Legislature convened on February 22, 2025, for a House Floor Session, where several significant bills were discussed, focusing on Medicaid eligibility, public meeting transparency, voting rights, and mental health privacy.

The session began with a discussion on House Bill 386, which proposes to amend the Medicaid program to include 12 months of continuous eligibility for adults. This policy aims to reduce "churn," a term used to describe the frequent disenrollment and reenrollment of individuals due to minor fluctuations in income. Proponents argue that continuous eligibility will encourage employment and improve health outcomes by ensuring individuals maintain consistent access to healthcare. The bill is expected to incur additional state costs, estimated at around $37 million over the biennium, but supporters believe it will ultimately lead to savings by reducing uncompensated care and improving overall health.

Following this, House Bill 393 was introduced, requiring towns with populations between 300 and 1,000 to record their public meetings and post the recordings online within 14 business days. This bill aims to enhance government transparency and accountability. While some representatives raised concerns about potential unfunded mandates for smaller towns, others emphasized the importance of public access to government proceedings.

House Bill 395, which addresses voting rights for individuals deemed of unsound mind, was also a focal point of the session. The bill seeks to define "penal institution" and "unsound mind" in Montana law, establishing a legal process for determining voting eligibility. While supporters argue that it closes a loophole that allowed convicted felons in mental health facilities to vote, opponents expressed concerns about the potential for disenfranchisement and the broad definitions that could lead to arbitrary restrictions on voting rights.

Lastly, House Bill 397 was discussed, aimed at establishing confidentiality standards for mental health digital services. This bill seeks to protect the privacy of individuals using mental health apps, ensuring that their data cannot be sold or traded without consent. The bill received support for its focus on mental health privacy, although some representatives noted the need for broader protections against data misuse by larger tech companies.

In conclusion, the session highlighted key legislative efforts to improve healthcare access, enhance government transparency, protect voting rights, and safeguard mental health information. Each bill sparked robust debate, reflecting the complexities and implications of these policies for Montanans. The legislature will continue to deliberate these issues in the coming sessions.