The Montana Legislature's House Business and Labor Committee meeting on March 26, 2025, spotlighted significant changes in the oversight of medical licensing, raising concerns among stakeholders about the transition from board to departmental management.

Key discussions centered on the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) taking over responsibilities previously held by the Board of Medical Examiners. Representative DeMorse emphasized that while the board's role is shifting, the DLI staff will continue to handle public interactions and administrative tasks. "It's our staff who are responding to questions... and doing all the drafting for administrative rules," he stated, assuring that the transition would not disrupt services.

The proposed changes aim to streamline the rule-making process, potentially reducing the time from proposal to adoption. DeMorse noted that the average duration for board rulemaking is 87 days, while departmental rulemaking averages 68 days. "We might shave a couple of weeks off... but functionally, it's gonna look quite a bit the same," he explained.

Concerns were raised about the effective date of January 1, 2026, with some questioning whether this timeline allows sufficient preparation for all involved. DeMorse reassured attendees that the DLI has ample time to implement the necessary changes, stating, "We're gonna be doing a lot of rule making over the interim... we're not reinventing any wheels."

The meeting also highlighted the importance of education and communication regarding the changes. DeMorse pointed out that many licensees rarely interact with the board, primarily engaging during the application and renewal processes. "For most people... it's come to us, pay us their renewal fee, and move on with life," he concluded.

As the DLI prepares for this transition, stakeholders will be closely monitoring the implementation to ensure a smooth shift in oversight and continued public safety in medical licensing.