Bill > HB912

This bill establishes a secure forensic facility in Eastern Montana to provide specialized care for individuals with certain mental health legal statuses, such as those found mentally ill during criminal proceedings. The facility will house at least 70 patients and will offer comprehensive services including secure housing, psychiatric and medical treatment, competency restoration programs, rehabilitation services, and robust security measures. The Department of Administration will oversee the facility's construction and operation, with a mandate to develop rules for patient admissions, treatment, and discharge. The bill appropriates $60 million from the Capital Developments Long-Range Building Program Account for planning, designing, constructing, and equipping the facility, and includes $1,661,426 for program expansion and operations in the 2025-2027 biennium. Additionally, the legislation modifies the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations Fund to allow for infrastructure support and requires the Department of Environmental Quality to review the project for potential energy conservation funding. The bill also includes a provision that if another House Bill (HB 5) contains funding for a similar facility, this bill would become void, ensuring coordination and preventing duplicate efforts.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC0496