Bill > HB476

This bill establishes a grant program administered by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services to help fire departments, hospitals, and law enforcement agencies install and maintain newborn safety devices. The program will provide competitive grants of up to $20,000 to eligible organizations, with a total appropriation of $160,000 for the 2025-2027 biennium. Grant recipients must comply with existing laws related to newborn safety (specifically those in Title 40, Chapter 6, Part 4) and follow rules established by the department, which will include an application process, evaluation criteria, and reporting requirements. The department is required to report on the program's status and results to the Children, Families, Health, and Human Services Interim Committee by September 30, 2027. The grant program will be effective from July 1, 2025, and will terminate on June 30, 2027, with any unencumbered funds reverting to the general fund at that time. While the bill does not explicitly define "newborn safety devices," these are typically safe surrender locations like designated baby hatches or drop-off points where parents can anonymously and safely leave newborns without fear of prosecution.

Health and Social Services

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC4132