****
69th Legislature 2025 HB 198.1
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – HB 198
1 HOUSE BILL NO. 198
2 INTRODUCED BY J. ETCHART
3
4 A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT REVISING THE PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTS THAT
5 RESTRICT THE PRACTICE OF SPECIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS; AMENDING SECTION 28-2-724,
6 MCA; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE AND AN APPLICABILITY DATE.”
7
8 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
9
10 Section 28-2-724, MCA, is amended to read:
11 "28-2-724. (1) A
12 contract that creates or establishes the terms of employment, a partnership, or any other form of professional
13 relationship with a health care provider described in subsection (2), may not restrict the right of the health care
14 provider to:
15 (a) practice or provide services for which the provider is licensed, in any geographic area and for
16 any period, after the termination of the employment, partnership, or other form of professional relationship;
17 (b) treat, advise, consult with, or establish a provider-patient relationship with any current patient of
18 the employer or with a patient affiliated with a partnership or other form of professional relationship; or
19 (c) solicit or seek to establish a provider-patient relationship with any current patient of the
20 employer or with a patient affiliated with a partnership or other form of professional relationship.
21 (2) The requirements of subsection (1) apply to contracts or agreements involving the following
22 health care providers:
23 (a) a psychiatrist or addiction medicine physician licensed under Title 37, chapter 3;
24 (b) a psychologist licensed under Title 37, chapter 17;
25 (c) a social worker licensed under Title 37, chapter 22 39;
26 (d) a professional counselor licensed under Title 37, chapter 23 39;
27 (e) an addiction counselor licensed under Title 37, chapter 35 39;
28 (f) a marriage and family therapist licensed under Title 37, chapter 37 39; and ****
69th Legislature 2025 HB 198.1
- 2 - Authorized Print Version – HB 198
1 (g) a behavioral health peer support specialist licensed under Title 37, chapter 38 39;
2 (h) a registered professional nurse or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under Title,
3 37, chapter 8; or
4 (i) a physician assistant licensed under Title 37, chapter 20.
5 (3) This section does not apply to a contract in connection with the sale and purchase of a
6 practice."
7
8 NEW SECTION. Section 2. [This act] is effective on passage and approval.
9
10 NEW SECTION. Section 3. [This act] applies to contracts made or renewed on or after
11 [the effective date of this act].
12 - END -