MT SB149

Requires landlords to obtain mandatory documentation from health care practitioners for emotional support animal requests when the tenant's disability-related need is not readily apparent, changing from permissive ("may") to mandatory ("must") language

Health care practitioners providing ESA documentation must have established a client-provider relationship with the tenant for at least 30 days prior and must complete a clinical evaluation of the tenant's need

Documentation must include the practitioner's effective date, license number, and type of professional license, with practitioners limited to licensed mental health professionals in Montana

Online ESA registrations, ID cards, patches, or certificates are explicitly deemed insufficient by themselves to establish a disability-related need for an emotional support animal

Landlords must issue written determinations after receiving required documentation and may deny requests if the animal poses a direct threat to safety or property that cannot be mitigated