Interim study of the Montana state hospital

69th Legislature HJ 75.1
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – HJ 75
1 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 75
2 INTRODUCED BY S. DEMAROIS, J. REAVIS
3
4 A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF
5 MONTANA REQUESTING AN INTERIM STUDY OF THE MONTANA STATE HOSPITAL AND RELATED
6 PATIENT-FOCUSED ISSUES; AND REQUIRING THAT THE FINAL RESULTS OF THE STUDY BE
7 REPORTED TO THE 70TH LEGISLATURE.
8
9 WHEREAS, due to a lack of community placement opportunities, the Montana State Hospital must
10 accept patients whose primary diagnosis involves Alzheimer's disease, other forms of dementia, or traumatic
11 brain injury and who do not present a significant danger to themselves or others; and
12 WHEREAS, the Montana State Hospital is not the appropriate facility for many of these patients; and
13 WHEREAS, the 68th Montana Legislature passed House Bill No. 29 in 2023, to prevent the
14 commitment of individuals who are not a danger to themselves or others after June 30, 2025; and
15 WHEREAS, the Legislature concludes that the Montana State Hospital requires ongoing oversight and
16 support from the Legislature to continue its positive progress.
17
18 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF
19 THE STATE OF MONTANA:
20 That the Legislative Council be requested to designate an appropriate interim committee or statutory
21 committee, pursuant to section 5-5-217, MCA, or direct sufficient staff resources to conduct a study of the
22 Montana State Hospital and issues related to patient transition. The study must, at a minimum:
23 (1) explore how to refurbish existing campus space to restore the Montana State Hospital's focus
24 on forensic commitments and the most serious of civil commitments;
25 (2) determine how to increase the number of community supports, such as community treatment
26 teams, to help individuals comply with medication requirements and treatment plans and to support their
27 transition from the Montana State Hospital into their communities;
28 (3) assess how to best leverage existing community programs and identify what additional
69th Legislature HJ 75.1
- 2 - Authorized Print Version – HJ 75
1 supports and resources are necessary to establish community commitment programs;
2 (4) explore alternatives to court-ordered fitness evaluations and fitness restoration on the Montana
3 State Hospital campus and identify available programs that could perform fitness evaluations and restore
4 fitness in the county system; and
5 (5) project short-term and long-term bed space needs at the Montana State Hospital and compare
6 the cost of an increase in bed space at the hospital to the cost of developing community-based alternatives.
7 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if the study is assigned to staff, any findings or conclusions be
8 presented to and reviewed by an appropriate committee designated by the Legislative Council.
9 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all aspects of the study, including presentation and review
10 requirements, be concluded prior to September 15, 2026.
11 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the final results of the study, including any findings, conclusions,
12 comments, or recommendations of the appropriate committee, be reported to the 70th Legislature.
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