Legislature

In the wake of reports of an increase in child abuse and neglect cases, lawmakers in Helena are considering a bill that would create a commission to review trends and patterns to share with policymakers. House Bill 303 also aims to educate the public and service providers about child abuse and neglect.

A thousand Montanans packed into the Capitol Monday to voice their support for public lands - and against any sell-off to private landowners or transfer to the states.

By Michael Siebert/UM Legislative News Service HELENA - Montana lawmakers heard broad support last week for the construction of a new veterans home in Butte. During the final hearing on House Bill 14, which would fund a wide variety of infrastructure projects primarily through bonding, dozens of Montana veterans spoke to the shelter’s necessity. “It’s ti...

Montana had the highest suicide rate in the country in 2014, and has been in the top five states with the highest suicide rates for nearly 40 years, according to a 2016 state report.

Senate Bill 98 would mandate that if the government damages or takes away all or part of someone’s property, the government would have to reimburse the property owner. The bill, which would create the Montana Property Fairness Act, cites the Montana Constitution, which declares that private property “shall not be taken or damaged for public use without just compensation.”

The House Education Committee consider a bill Monday that would allow schools to get state funding for 5-year-olds and for students with disabilities up to age 21. House Bill 274 would change the Average Number Belongs (ANB) calculations, which is how the state divides money among school districts. Current statute only funds students ages 6 through 19.

The House Business and Labor Committee will consider a bill Friday that would reinstate the ability for people injured in worker’s compensation cases to pick their own doctors. House Bill 229 would reverse a 2011 law, which gave the responsibility of finding a healthcare provider to insurance companies and employers.

House Bill 280 would allow Montana lawmakers to carry handguns on state property, including in the Capitol during the Legislature. Rep. Randy Brodehl, R-Kalispell, said he would support allowing anyone who qualifies for open and concealed carry to have guns on state property. But he says getting support for that would be unlikely.

The House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee will hear testimony Thursday on a bill that would make it a misdemeanor for outfitters to access state trust lands through private property, even if they have permission from landowners to do so.

Democratic Rep. Denise Hayman of Bozeman said she’s carrying House Bill 296 “to bring the experts together to discuss how we might be better prepared to respond to a disaster, especially in our more remote, rural areas.”