Bill > SB191

This bill establishes a comprehensive framework for licensing residential treatment centers (RTCs) in Montana, focusing on creating standards to ensure safe and effective mental health care for youth under 19 years old. The Department of Public Health and Human Services is tasked with developing detailed licensing regulations, including requirements for staff-to-patient ratios, staff qualifications, training, treatment services, insurance, background checks, and policies for suicide prevention and abuse reporting. Importantly, RTCs must obtain accreditation from an entity approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, with provisions for a 6-month provisional license (up to one year total) while pursuing full accreditation. The bill also updates existing educational statutes to incorporate residential treatment centers, ensuring that children in these facilities receive appropriate educational opportunities consistent with their individual needs, whether they have disabilities or not. By defining RTCs as facilities providing comprehensive mental health services including assessment, counseling, skilled nursing, medication management, and behavioral health treatment, the legislation aims to create a structured approach to supporting youth with complex mental health challenges who cannot be adequately served in other settings.

Health and Social Services

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC0184