MT HB403

Grants legislators immediate, unlimited access to Montana State Hospital at all times, subject to routine security and safety procedures

Requires legislators to prioritize and respect the health, dignity, privacy, and welfare of patients while visiting the facility

Responds to the hospital's loss of federal certification from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in 2022 due to patient deaths, falls, and other safety issues

Aims to enable legislative oversight for vulnerable patients, including those with traumatic brain injury, dementia, and other cognitive challenges who cannot advocate for themselves