Legislature advances some mental health bills, tables others

While lawmakers have advanced several bills aimed at increasing access to mental health services in the state, a panel tabled one measure last week after opponents lined up to testify against it, saying it would likely do just the opposite.

Rep. Scot Kerns, R-Great Falls, sponsored House Bill 619, which debuted in the House Taxation Committee on Tuesday, March 16. The bill would have required that nonprofit hospitals in cities with more than 20,000 people provide free mental health services equal in value to their property tax exemption annually, or that exemption would be revoked. However, the committee tabled the bill following overwhelming opposition from hospitals and medical associations.

In his opening remarks, Kerns predicted the bill would draw some opposition, but he said his bill would help reduce suicide rates in Montana, which are consistently among the highest in the nation. Kerns also noted that the bill only applied to hospitals in larger cities, as he predicted the requirement could put strain on rural hospitals.