Bill > SB378

This bill establishes a tribal relations management team within the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), consisting of two key positions: a tribal relations manager and a director of American Indian health. The tribal relations manager will serve as the primary communicator with tribal governments and health partners, provide guidance to department leaders on working with tribal communities, assist in developing policies and programs involving tribal collaboration, organize formal tribal consultations, and coordinate the annual tribal relations report to the governor. The director of American Indian health will focus on identifying health disparities between Indian and non-Indian populations, developing strategies to improve health equity, and addressing state-tribal health issues. The two positions are distinct and cannot be held by the same person, but they are expected to coordinate and collaborate in carrying out their duties. The bill also requires the secretary of state to send a copy of the act to each federally recognized tribal government in Montana, and specifies that the new section should be integrated into the existing state code related to state government departments and agencies.