[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6097473,"mediaKeyId","2828087-27ae4b5ee1fec2930f477019105568c1","parentId",2828087,"title","Bill to authorize forensic mental health facility east of Big Timber draws urgent testimony about jail backlogs and transport burdens","audioSeconds",2681,"startMs",2506000,"endMs",5187000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2828087-27ae4b5ee1fec2930f477019105568c1&start=2506&end=5187","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2828087-27ae4b5ee1fec2930f477019105568c1/thumbnail_2506000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6097473/Montana/Bill-to-authorize-forensic-mental-health-facility-east-of-Big-Timber-draws-urgent-testimony-about-jail-backlogs-and-transport-burdens","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097473-62fa65d5ec9755afcb8faedd813ebdb3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176033&Signature=MalcQOf6QixIj6wXq~cucwL5-YkuP7uvoaKEVxFLfSFLFtBZNL9CJF0w3Wv2~Fb7sefciD5Jc3MOgBqu2MPEOMUDuK-1VKlsN-RgqScpx0ZTEThI0pdq-vlndymPMCM-CAzjMX7GjrtiV~DkOhOqurkqQvYoDXVqsyOTHMFCmWnTvxJh04BSkCPl1QgrRWvprO~q9Dee3LBBKyQFPK~g8dthuB8YFR0soQifDPl9lj05j-4kWYyNlIjJEwEikdXlBCmUC0COJCgHZCKPilLp0XTHbQ8Ber~exyJWOaKxSO5mnSj5u7DGLvt4MQErUzTmsLCB-QtnwJbQZnsE~3JRzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana State Legislature","date","2025-03-31T00:00:00Z","article","The House Human Services Committee heard extensive testimony in favor of House Bill 912, a proposal to authorize construction of a minimum 70-bed forensic facility in the eastern half of Montana and to appropriate $60,000,000 from an identified account to start the project.

Missoula County Attorney Matt Jennings and a coalition of county attorneys, sheriffs and prosecutors told the committee long waits for court-ordered forensic evaluations and for competency restoration beds at the Montana State Hospital (Galen/Warner Springs) are causing local detention populations to swell, delaying criminal cases and producing dismissed prosecutions.

Jennings described the policy rationale and historical context: \"We did effectively deinstitutionalize places like the Montana State Hospital decades ago, but we failed to come up with some of the local facilities that we dreamed about back then,\" he said, and urged the committee to address the backlog. Multiple county law enforcement witnesses said people ordered for forensic evaluation or restoration sometimes wait months to more than a year for a bed at Galen, occupying jail space and requiring long transports.

Examples and impacts: Jennifer Root of the Flathead County Sheriff's Office said one individual had been in the county jail since August 2023 awaiting a hospital bed and that severe deterioration while waiting had led to multiple involuntary commitment filings. Yellowstone County Sheriff Mike Linder reported 649 inmates in a facility designed for 434; he said 13 inmates were awaiting fitness evaluations and one was sentenced and waiting for a DPHHS bed, with some orders dating from October 2023. Fallon County undersheriff Nick Eisele described rural transport burdens of roughly 490 miles one way to Warm Springs (and that Jamestown, ND, is closer than some Montana facilities for his county).

Proponents included Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, NAMI Montana, the Montana Association of Counties, prosecutors and county attorneys. Matt Kuntz of NAMI Montana warned of legal exposure to the state if counties keep people in jails without timely access to necessary treatment.

Operational and fiscal questions: D of A architecture engineering staff said the agency would manage design and construction if the bill passes but noted the department was not familiar with the $60 million figure and that a fiscal note is needed. Witnesses said construction timelines would likely take 3 to 5 years from planning to operation. Committee members asked whether 70 beds would be enough; Dr. Kevin Flanagan, CEO of Montana State Hospital, said 70 beds devoted to GBMI (guilty but mentally ill) patients could substantially reduce the county wait lists for court-ordered evaluations but could not guarantee exact percentages given changing demand.

No formal vote was taken. Committee members discussed possible amendments to increase capacity from 70 beds and to clarify funding sources; proponents recommended advancing the bill to address immediate backlogs and transport burdens.

Ending note: Proponents argued that adding forensic beds, especially in the eastern part of the state, would reduce local jail crowding, speed evaluations and restorations, reduce long transports and limit dismissals for speedy-trial violations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Human Services - Mar 31, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","House Human Services Committee members heard urgent testimony Wednesday supporting House Bill 912, which would authorize construction of a minimum 70-bed forensic facility east of the Big Timber meridian and appropriate $60,000,000 to begin the project.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MT, Montana","taxId",77694,"location","Montana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6097478,"Senate bill to waive document fees for foster youth ages 18–21 receives supportive testimony",228,2233000,2461000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2828087-27ae4b5ee1fec2930f477019105568c1&start=2233&end=2461","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2828087-27ae4b5ee1fec2930f477019105568c1/thumbnail_2233000.jpg","/articles/6097478/Montana/Senate-bill-to-waive-document-fees-for-foster-youth-ages-1821-receives-supportive-testimony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097478-29460c43cfaebe062a181349f353e6b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176033&Signature=XlqSubpASb8mfbowIIROR-dlz4~3Fsik4-IPC9VhRG3anrso7nrMDcgsxxZs3wEFTGOQQNRiFFoqjEgMZMFJ58wzxyZEldiGeIXdskNmgkOznv1j12xtfXswFxjDvoswoO5Hh0k6sZ-MF-b-tZWWaBXMCwO8jL7Vn7MKopEvB3g38TMJCyahnypIgFGg0G96-9LepytVMlb698vQEMoMR9F5-Sa3y~CZ4BUuGDigN2evW66mdh3qw42Ygy7oi5YaYlD16CFE~T5gosWRhTK2d2tQrJ0tYC91R4~JdsjTlNwSo0wp2TRlMDw-rVl3q8qhe0NRG99FqlzpNO8MVa6Fkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 412 would waive fees for specified government documents for former foster youth ages 18 to 21, witnesses told the House Human Services Committee.

Sponsor Sen. Laura Smith said the bill responds to feedback from young people exiting foster care who reported difficulty obtaining birth certificates, driver’s licenses and other documents needed to access benefits and employment. \"This bill really applies to that age range of 18 to 21 when kids are really trying to get their feet underneath them,\" Smith said.

Nikki Grossberg, Division Administrator for Child and Family Services at DPHHS, testified the department supports the bill and that it can use Chafee funds to reimburse agencies for document costs. Grossberg said approximately 70 children aged out of foster care last year, and that the bill would reduce barriers when those young adults need certified birth certificates, replacement documents issued by county clerks or the Department of Justice, and transcripts or academic records from the Montana University System.

Why it matters: Several witnesses described the bills as a modest, targeted intervention that removes an administrative and financial hurdle for youth transitioning from foster care to independent living. DPHHS told the committee the department can work with partner agencies on reimbursement and implementation.

No opponents appeared in the hearing record. The bill remains at the hearing stage with DPHHS and stakeholders available for follow-up about implementation details and fiscal mechanics.

Ending note: Proponents asked the committee to advance the bill as a low-cost, high-impact measure to facilitate access to jobs, education and benefits for young adults who previously were in state custody.","Senate Bill 412 would waive fees for certain government documents—birth certificates, ID cards, drivers' licenses and academic transcripts—for people who age out of foster care (ages 18–21). DPHHS and stakeholders told the committee it reduces barriers and can use Chafee funds for reimbursements.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6097482,"Committee hears testimony supporting $1M/year state supplement to federal Emergency Solutions Grant for rapid rehousing",1994,200000,2194000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2828087-27ae4b5ee1fec2930f477019105568c1&start=200&end=2194","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2828087-27ae4b5ee1fec2930f477019105568c1/thumbnail_200000.jpg","/articles/6097482/Montana/Committee-hears-testimony-supporting-1Myear-state-supplement-to-federal-Emergency-Solutions-Grant-for-rapid-rehousing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097482-0430e4a55ced12bcd008a470056199fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176033&Signature=oz~tVzsVukbqI4ruISITQuNPoPd0k7BvwpVl5WUGb2U4iES6mLE6yG4P7X5iKl6d4WjGi1t2SXvyuFFxttwWRDfCF6OZ9Yx0J-G06h67kom9CTOCRMeV-wCctoSzmxO9U7gXi~LqiQCrWyc3-aRrDSH1jPKnkliQsETEqY6Vca-L~DdASxhY7NJWOtcOlbS5nuNB0h3K2hBXT45M0IOYBQ5j~oyzSsN-OAY4cariyib~p5FPQQf-KwcppfdYDKTrXUo41J7LKrdfdfbeR2mmZ6JQIJ6NoeZYoc8UZ6~EVgX-IaraEv3yInR0dE-XeDfok9m5EIge~NGnt-5Sgljn2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Human Services Committee members heard more than a dozen proponents Wednesday supporting House Bill 843, which would appropriate $1,000,000 for each fiscal year of the biennium to supplement federal Emergency Solutions Grant funding for homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing.

Proponents told the committee the state dollars would stretch federal ESG resources and be distributed through existing regional Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) districts and ESG delivery systems. \"The legislation represents a critical step toward addressing homelessness in Montana by allocating a million dollars for each fiscal year of the biennium to supplement federal resources for rapid rehousing initiatives,\" said Kathy Marks of Rocky Mountain Development Council.

Why it matters: Witnesses said federal ESG funding and HUD fair market rents have not kept pace with local markets, limiting program use in communities where rents exceed HUD limits. Testimony emphasized that short-term rental assistance and move-in supports prevent households from entering literal homelessness and can be cheaper than shelter, emergency health care and justice system costs.

Committee members and informational witnesses provided context on current federal ESG allocations in Montana and program administration. Sarah Loewen, bureau chief at the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), said Montana's ESG awards were $744,418 for program year 2024 and $741,906 for program year 2025 and that state funds would \"just supplement\" those federal dollars. Proponents described how state funds could allow ESG recipients to pay up to 150% of HUD fair market rent in high-cost areas, cover security deposits and arrears, and provide landlord incentives and move-in assistance where needed.

Supporting testimony came from a range of service providers and advocacy groups including HRDC District 9, Montana Community Action Network, Catalyst Montana, Ability Montana Center for Independent Living, the Montana Coalition to Solve Homelessness, and local HRDCs and shelters. Hannah Altman of HRDC District 9 said additional funds would let programs \"reach more people, particularly those who fall through the cracks of other programs\" and would be deployed quickly because they align with existing ESG infrastructure. Cassie Wick of Ability Montana described SSI and SSDI income limits and underscored the need for flexible housing assistance for people with disabilities: \"If you receive Supplemental Security Income, SSI, you get $967 a month.\" Margie Secom of Action, Inc. described a local example in Butte where federal ESG funds helped a person who had been unhoused for 10 years and reduced annual crisis costs.

Several witnesses urged allowing flexibility in allowable rents, landlord engagement, and rapid use of funds by fiscal-year end. Committee questions probed how many additional people could be served; HRDC testimony cited serving more than 100 households in the last year across multiple grants and said higher allowable rents would increase placements. DPHHS confirmed the state appropriation would be distributed through established ESG recipients (the HRDC districts) rather than creating a new delivery system.

No formal action was taken during the hearing. The bill remains at the hearing stage with proponents urging the committee to advance the appropriation to increase statewide rapid-rehousing capacity.

Ending note: Proponents argued the appropriation would be cost-effective and immediately deployable through existing ESG partners; DPHHS told the committee the agency would administer payments under current federal program structures if the Legislature funds the bill.","Supporters told the House Human Services Committee that House Bill 843 would add $1 million per fiscal year to supplement HUD Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds for rapid rehousing and homelessness prevention, and witnesses described use cases, local shortfalls and how the funds would be distributed through existing HRDC structures.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6097469,"Hearing held on at‑home infant care subsidy; sponsor seeks $2M to serve ~200 families",1330,5216000,6546000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2828087-27ae4b5ee1fec2930f477019105568c1&start=5216&end=6546","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2828087-27ae4b5ee1fec2930f477019105568c1/thumbnail_5216000.jpg","/articles/6097469/Montana/Hearing-held-on-athome-infant-care-subsidy-sponsor-seeks-2M-to-serve-200-families","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097469-d418e2f042d51ef14995de0e92b4a726/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176033&Signature=mJxQGoRQWJajhEFcZ0S84LhWDg7hsxr92DMDngJ5YQpZXWTo3F~mEaATsDeJFzYa3lX~ZvEGIx2HFwueHld85X62O5wI~sqGhXyh-tkHxsKDRuJ66Z7vk7QiyvLSAnLq26Wm8oS4Rbm0~PKGCC7K0~rmzAMAhlAi6xF0SkN2qRiEkiwPNtZTtbF~GZlR~7FuPf2ZYz3YVjeinsVGRaVChSvWiPv8ILsjsJ7SIWWOJfw4iqSlkuv2h-zUzrN135h2TTwGcZgF8rnVdDQOqQ9keUf8ZLWdwICba9~8evotrvjhkZxDgY-jJSx7b~Ll5YQqBbk~a3tzfZ5mWdjMMSJRrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Human Services Committee members heard House Bill 835, which would create an at‑home infant care subsidy intended to give parents another option to provide infant care at home during the early years.

Sponsor Rep. Neil Durham described the bill as an investment in early childhood and family stability and said the proposal is estimated to serve about 200 families with an appropriation of $2,000,000 for the biennium; the sponsor and proponents cited an approximate benefit level near $800 per month per family in their initial estimates. Rebecca Durham, a proponent and parent, described personal experience staying at home with young children and said state support would help families who choose to parent at home.

Why it matters: Pediatricians and early-childhood advocates testified the prenatal-to-age-3 period is critical for brain development and that targeted financial support for families with very young children can improve long-term health and economic outcomes. Dr. Lauren Wilson, advocacy chair for the Montana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said targeted financial support for young children is a health intervention that can reduce toxic stress.

Administration and eligibility: DPHHS early childhood staff said the department would need to create rules and that many details would be clarified through rulemaking; a DPHHS official said the agency would need to consult legal staff to determine whether a July 1 start date gives sufficient time for rule development. Committee members questioned eligibility language and exceptions that could exclude families receiving Medicaid or TANF; DPHHS agreed to follow up.

Operational history and pilot data: Sponsors and proponents referenced an earlier pilot program and a Vanderbilt/Center on the Developing Child research basis for investing in the 0–3 period. Witnesses said the pilot found average usage near 10 months and that most participants were two‑parent families in rural areas.

No vote was taken at the conclusion of the hearing. The department will work with the sponsor on implementation details and rule timelines before the bill advances.

Ending note: Proponents framed the proposal as a family-choice policy that adds an option alongside child care subsidies and licensed care, and they urged the committee to consider the long-term developmental and economic benefits of targeted early-childhood support.","Representative Neil Durham and proponents presented House Bill 835, proposing a roughly $2 million appropriation to fund an at-home infant care subsidy for qualifying families (estimated to serve about 200 families at roughly $800 per month). DPHHS said rulemaking and implementation details require follow-up.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bill to authorize forensic mental health facility east of Big Timber draws urgent testimony about jail backlogs and transport burdens

Senate bill to waive document fees for foster youth ages 18–21 receives supportive testimony

Committee hears testimony supporting $1M/year state supplement to federal Emergency Solutions Grant for rapid rehousing

Hearing held on at‑home infant care subsidy; sponsor seeks $2M to serve ~200 families