Read the full stored bill text
****
69th Legislature 2025 SB 378.1
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – SB 378
1 SENATE BILL NO. 378
2 INTRODUCED BY S. WEBBER, J. REAVIS, B. EDWARDS, J. ISALY, M. LEE, P. STRAND, T. CROWE, B.
3 CLOSE, S. FYANT, J. WEBER, J. SOOKTIS, M. CUNNINGHAM, W. CURDY, J. MORIGEAU, T. RUNNING
4 WOLF, D. FERN, M. FOX, L. SMITH, J. WINDY BOY, B. CARTER, T. FRANCE, D. HAWK, D. HAYMAN, S.
5 HOWELL, E. KERR-CARPENTER, E. STAFMAN, M. MARLER, S. DEMAROIS
6
7 A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TRIBAL RELATIONS MANAGEMENT TEAM IN
8 THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES; AND PROVIDING DUTIES FOR TEAM
9 MEMBERS.”
10
11 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
12
13 NEW SECTION. Section 1. Tribal relations management team. (1) There is a tribal relations
14 management team in the department of public health and human services that consists of a tribal relations
15 manager and a director of American Indian health.
16 (2) The tribal relations manager:
17 (a) serves as the lead communicator to tribal governments, the federal government, and other
18 tribal health partners in support of the department's government-to-government relationship;
19 (b) provides advice and guidance to assist in educating, informing, and supporting department
20 leaders as they integrate work with tribal communities and governments;
21 (c) provides guidance and assistance to department staff in the creation of policy and programs
22 that involve collaborative work with tribes;
23 (d) assists in organizing and facilitating formal tribal consultations, including requirements pursuant
24 to 2-15-141 through 2-15-143;
25 (e) coordinates and finalizes the annual tribal relations report to the governor required in 2-15-143;
26 and
27 (f) carries out other duties as determined by the department, except for those assigned to the
28 director of American Indian health pursuant to subsection (3).
****
69th Legislature 2025 SB 378.1
- 2 - Authorized Print Version – SB 378
1 (3) The director of American Indian health:
2 (a) identifies sources of disparities in health, lifespans, and other health outcomes that exist
3 between Indian and non-Indian populations in the state;
4 (b) develops strategies for improving health equity while providing a forum for addressing state-
5 tribal health issues; and
6 (c) carries out other duties as determined by the department, except for those assigned to the
7 tribal relations manager pursuant to subsection (2).
8 (4) The tribal relations manager and director of American Indian health may coordinate and
9 collaborate to carry out their duties, but the positions may not be held by the same individual.
10
11 NEW SECTION. Section 2. Notification to tribal governments. The secretary of state shall send a
12 copy of [this act] to each federally recognized tribal government in Montana.
13
14 NEW SECTION. Section 3. Codification instruction. [Section 1] is intended to be codified as an
15 integral part of Title 2, chapter 15, part 22, and the provisions of Title 2, chapter 15, part 22, apply to [section 1].
16 - END -