Montana 2025 2025 Regular Session

Montana House Bill HB435 Introduced / Bill

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1 HOUSE BILL NO. 435
2 INTRODUCED BY J. ETCHART
3
4 A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT REVISING LAWS RELATED TO PROFESSIONAL LICENSE 
5 DISCIPLINE; STANDARDIZING MISCONDUCT, SANCTIONS, AND REINSTATEMENT PROVISIONS FOR 
6 PROFESSIONAL LICENSES; PROVIDING STANDARDS FOR LICENSEES AND LICENSE APPLICANTS TO 
7 REPORT MISCONDUCT; PROVIDING STANDARDS FOR IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY; REORGANIZING 
8 PROVISIONS FOR REPORTS OF LICENSEE MISCONDUCT TO THE BOARD OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS 
9 AND THE BOARD OF DENTISTRY; STANDARDIZING UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT PROVISIONS FOR 
10 ALL BOARDS AND PROGRAMS; ADDING STANDARD FORMS OF MISCONDUCT APPLICABLE TO ALL 
11 BOARDS AND PROGRAMS; STANDARDIZING TERMS RELATED TO SANCTIONS FOR BOARDS AND 
12 PROGRAMS; REORGANIZING SANCTIONS FOR BOARDS AND PROGRAMS; CLARIFYING THE 
13 MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF TIME A BOARD OR PROGRAM MAY ORDER A PROBATIONARY LICENSE 
14 THROUGH A SANCTION; REPEALING UNNECESSARY PROVISIONS RELATED TO SANCTIONS FOR 
15 BOARDS AND PROGRAMS; STANDARDIZING REINSTATEMENT PROCESSES FOR LICENSING BOARDS 
16 AND PROGRAMS; CLARIFYING THAT THE PROCESS OF REINSTATEMENT ONLY APPLIES TO 
17 REVOKED LICENSES; REVISING RULEMAKING AUTHORITY; REPEALING DUPLICATIVE PROVISIONS; 
18 AMENDING SECTIONS 28-10-103, 37-1-312, 37-1-314, 37-1-316, 37-1-321, 37-1-406, 37-1-408, 37-1-410, 
19 37-3-104, 37-3-404, 37-3-405, AND 37-4-313, MCA; AND REPEALING SECTIONS 37-1-105, 37-3-324, 37-3-
20 401, 37-4-312, 37-4-314, 37-11-320, 37-12-323, AND 37-17-314, MCA.”
21
22 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
23
24 NEW SECTION. Section 1. 
25 (1) A license applicant shall immediately report to the department any action 
26 against the applicant that arises while the application is pending and relates to the applicant's qualifications or 
27 fitness to practice the profession or occupation.
28 (2) A licensee shall report to the department any action against the licensee that relates to the  **** 
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1 licensee's qualifications or fitness to practice the profession or occupation within 30 days of final disposition of 
2 the action.
3 (3) A licensee shall report in a timely manner to the department any information gained through 
4 personal knowledge that appears to show that another licensee or license applicant has engaged in 
5 unprofessional conduct under 37-1-316, 37-1-410, or board or program rule.
6 (4) There is no liability on the part of, and no cause of action may arise against, a licensee who in 
7 good faith provides information required in subsection (3) of this section or this title to the department.
8
9 NEW SECTION. Section 2.  (1) 
10 Notwithstanding any provision of state law dealing with confidentiality, each licensee, professional standards 
11 review organization, and the Montana medical association, Montana dental association, or any component 
12 society of either association, and any other person may report to the licensee's respective board that a licensee 
13 is physically or mentally impaired by habitual intemperance or excessive use of addictive drugs, alcohol, or any 
14 other drug or substance or by mental illness or chronic physical illness.
15 (2) (a) For a licensee licensed under Title 37, chapter 3, information that relates to possible 
16 physical or mental impairment connected to habitual intemperance or excessive use of addictive drugs, alcohol, 
17 or any other drug or substance by a licensee or to other mental or chronic physical illness of a licensee may be 
18 reported to the appropriate personnel of the medical assistance program established by a board in lieu of 
19 reporting directly to the board.
20 (b) The program personnel referred to in subsection (2)(a) shall report to the board the identity of a 
21 licensee and all facts and documentation in their possession if:
22 (i) the licensee fails or refuses to:
23 (A) comply with a reasonable request that the licensee undergo a mental, physical, or chemical 
24 dependency evaluation or a combination of evaluations;
25 (B) undergo a reasonable course of recommended treatment, including reasonable aftercare; or
26 (C) satisfactorily complete a reasonable evaluation, a course of treatment, or aftercare; or
27 (ii) the licensee's condition creates a risk of harm to the licensee, a patient, or others.
28 (3) This section applies to professional standards review organizations only to the extent that the  **** 
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1 organizations are not prohibited from disclosing information under federal law.
2
3 Section 28-10-103, MCA, is amended to read:
4 "28-10-103.  (1) An agency is either actual or 
5 ostensible. An agency is actual when the agent is really employed by the principal. An agency is ostensible 
6 when the principal intentionally or by want of ordinary care causes a third person to believe another to be the 
7 principal's agent when that person is not really employed by the principal.
8 (2) Except as provided in subsection (3), for purposes of a malpractice claim, as defined in 27-6-
9 103, liability may not be imposed on a health care provider, as defined in 27-6-103, for an act or omission by a 
10 person or entity alleged to have been an ostensible agent of the health care provider at the time that the act or 
11 omission occurred.
12 (3) (a) Subsection (2) is not applicable unless the health care provider has instituted a policy or 
13 practice requiring persons providing independent professional services to have insurance of a type and in the 
14 amount required by the rules and regulations of the medical staff, by the medical staff bylaws, or by other 
15 similar health care facility rules or regulations. The insurance provided for in this subsection must be in effect 
16 for the period of time during which a medical malpractice action must be brought as provided in 27-2-205.
17 (b) Failure of a health care provider providing independent professional services to comply with a 
18 policy or practice implementing subsection (3)(a) constitutes unprofessional conduct pursuant to 37-1-
19 316(1)(q)(1)(s) and 37-2-304."
20
21 Section 37-1-312, MCA, is amended to read:
22 "37-1-312.  (1) Upon On a decision that a licensee or 
23 license applicant has violated this part or is unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety due to a physical 
24 or mental condition committed unprofessional conduct as provided in 37-1-316, or upon on stipulation of the 
25 parties as provided in subsection (3), the board may issue an order providing for one or any combination of the 
26 following sanctions that are necessary to protect the public:
27 (a) revocation of the license;
28 (b) suspension of the license for a fixed or indefinite term; **** 
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1 (c) compliance with the conditions of probation for a period not to exceed 3 years;
2 (c)(d) restriction or limitation of the practice;
3 (d)(e) monitoring of the practice by a supervisor approved by the disciplining authority;
4 (f) satisfactory completion of a specific program of remedial education or treatment;
5 (e) monitoring of the practice by a supervisor approved by the disciplining authority;
6 (g) payment of a fine not to exceed $5,000 for each violation. Fines must be deposited in the state 
7 general fund.
8 (h) denial of a license application or issuance of the license for a probationary period not to exceed 
9 3 years;
10 (f)(i) censure or reprimand, either public or private;
11 (g) compliance with conditions of probation for a designated period of time;
12 (h) payment of a fine not to exceed $1,000 for each violation. Fines must be deposited in the state 
13 general fund.
14 (i) denial of a license application;
15 (j) refund of costs and fees billed to and collected from a consumer; or
16 (k) other appropriate action.
17 (2) A sanction may be totally or partly stayed by the board. To determine which sanctions are 
18 appropriate, the board shall first consider the sanctions that are necessary to protect or compensate the public. 
19 Only after the determination has been made may the board consider and include in the order any requirements 
20 designed to rehabilitate the licensee or license applicant.
21 (3) The licensee or license applicant may enter into a stipulated agreement resolving potential or 
22 pending charges that includes one or more of the sanctions in this section. The stipulation is an informal 
23 disposition for the purposes of 2-4-603.
24 (4) A licensee shall surrender a suspended or revoked license to the board within 24 hours after 
25 receiving notification of the suspension or revocation by mailing it or delivering it personally to the board."
26
27 Section 37-1-314, MCA, is amended to read:
28 "37-1-314.  (1) A Unless a board orders a permanent revocation, a licensee whose  **** 
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1 license has been suspended or revoked under this part may petition the board for reinstatement after an 
2 interval set by the board in the order. The board may hold a hearing on the petition and may deny the petition or 
3 order reinstatement and impose the terms and conditions as provided in 37-1-312.
4 (2) The board may require the successful completion of an examination as a condition of 
5 reinstatement and may treat a licensee whose license has been revoked or suspended as a new applicant for 
6 the purposes of establishing the requisite licensure qualifications of licensure."
7
8 Section 37-1-316, MCA, is amended to read:
9 "37-1-316.  (1) The following is unprofessional conduct for a licensee or 
10 license applicant governed by this part:
11 (a) subject to Title 37, chapter 1, part 2, having a conviction, including a conviction following a plea 
12 of nolo contendere, of a crime relating to or committed during the course of the person's the practice of the 
13 profession or occupation or involving violence, use or sale of drugs, fraud, deceit, or theft, whether or not an 
14 appeal is pending;
15 (b) engaging in conduct listed as a sexual crime as provided in Title 45, chapter 5, part 5, 
16 regardless of whether the conduct occurred during or is related to the licensee's profession or occupation;
17 (c) engaging in conduct in the profession or occupation found to be a violation of the Montana 
18 Human Rights Act, Title 49, chapter 2;
19 (b)(d) permitting, aiding, abetting, or conspiring with a person to violate or circumvent a law relating to 
20 licensure or certification;
21 (c)(e) fraud, misrepresentation, deception, or concealment of a material fact in applying for or 
22 assisting in securing a license or license renewal or in taking an examination required for licensure;
23 (d)(f) signing or issuing, in the licensee's professional capacity, a document or statement that the 
24 licensee knows or reasonably ought to know contains a false or misleading statement;
25 (e)(g) a misleading, deceptive, false, or fraudulent advertisement or other representation in the 
26 conduct of the profession or occupation;
27 (f)(h) offering, giving, or promising anything of value or benefit to a federal, state, or local 
28 government employee or official for the purpose of influencing the employee or official to circumvent a federal,  **** 
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1 state, or local law, rule, or ordinance governing the licensee's profession or occupation;
2 (g)(i) denial, suspension, revocation, probation, fine, surrender during investigation or in lieu of 
3 discipline, or other license restriction or discipline against a licensee by a state, province, territory, or Indian 
4 tribal government or the federal government court, government agency, or private licensing or credentialing 
5 entity if the action is not on appeal, not under judicial review, or has not been satisfied. For the purposes of this 
6 section, a revoked license or certificate is not satisfied unless it is reinstated;.
7 (h)(j) failure to comply with a term, condition, or limitation of a license by final order of a board;
8 (i)(k) revealing confidential information obtained as the result of a professional relationship without 
9 the prior consent of the recipient of services, except as authorized or required by law;
10 (j)(l) use of alcohol, a habit-forming drug, or a controlled substance as defined in Title 50, chapter 
11 32, to the extent that the use impairs the user physically or mentally in the performance of licensed professional 
12 duties;
13 (k)(m) having a physical or mental disability that renders the licensee or license applicant unable to 
14 practice the profession or occupation with reasonable skill and safety;
15 (l)(n) engaging in conduct in the course of one's practice while suffering from a contagious or 
16 infectious disease involving serious risk to public health or without taking adequate precautions, including but 
17 not limited to informed consent, protective gear, or cessation of practice;
18 (m)(o) misappropriating property or funds from a client or workplace or failing to comply with a board 
19 rule regarding the accounting and distribution of a client's property or funds;
20 (n)(p) interference with an audit, investigation, inspection, or disciplinary proceeding by failure to 
21 respond or cooperate, willful misrepresentation of facts, by the use of threats or harassment against or 
22 inducement to a client or witness to prevent them from providing evidence in a disciplinary proceeding or other 
23 legal action, or by use of threats or harassment against or inducement to a person to prevent or attempt to 
24 prevent a disciplinary proceeding or other legal action from being filed, prosecuted, or completed;
25 (o)(q) assisting in the unlicensed practice of a profession or occupation or allowing another person or 
26 organization to practice or offer to practice by use of the licensee's license, or practicing while the licensee's 
27 license is in an inactive status;
28 (p)(r) failing to report the institution of or final action on a malpractice action, including a final decision  **** 
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1 on appeal, against the licensee or of an action against the licensee by a:
2 (i) peer review committee;
3 (ii) professional association; or
4 (iii) local, state, federal, territorial, provincial, or Indian tribal government;
5 (q)(s) failure of a health care provider, as defined in 27-6-103, to comply with a policy or practice 
6 implementing 28-10-103(3)(a);
7 (r)(t) conduct that does not meet the generally accepted standards of practice. A certified copy of a 
8 malpractice judgment against the licensee or license applicant or of a tort judgment in an action involving an act 
9 or omission occurring during the scope and course of the practice is conclusive evidence of but is not needed to 
10 prove conduct that does not meet generally accepted standards.
11 (s)(u) the sole use of any electronic means, including teleconferencing, to obtain the information 
12 required for the written certification and accompanying statements used to apply for a registry identification card 
13 pursuant to Title 16, chapter 12, part 5. ; or
14 (v) violating a federal, state, or local law or rule relating to the conduct of the profession or 
15 occupation.
16 (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section or any other provision of this title governing 
17 unprofessional conduct of a licensee or a license applicant under this title, it is not unprofessional conduct for a 
18 licensee or a license applicant under this title to engage in the exercise of rights protected under the free 
19 exercise clause or the free speech clause of the Montana constitution or the United States constitution."
20
21 Section 37-1-321, MCA, is amended to read:
22 "37-1-321.  (1) A board, the department if 
23 authorized by the board, or the department for programs without a board may administratively suspend a 
24 license when:
25 (a) an audit of continuing education, certification, or other qualifications necessary for continued 
26 licensure demonstrates that the licensee is noncompliant with requirements established by the board or by the 
27 department for a program;
28 (b) the licensee fails to respond to a board or department audit as provided in subsection (1)(a); **** 
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1 (c) the department receives notice of insufficient funds in the account used by the licensee to pay 
2 for an administrative fee or a board fee or fine;
3 (d) the department has reasonable grounds to believe the licensee did not possess the 
4 qualifications for initial issuance of the license; or
5 (e) a licensee fails to comply with the terms of a final order imposed pursuant to 37-1-312 or 37-1-
6 405.
7 (2) Upon On identifying one or more of the deficiencies listed in subsection (1), the department 
8 shall inform the licensee in writing and provide the licensee 60 days from the date of the correspondence to 
9 cure the deficiency.
10 (3) If the licensee fails to cure the deficiency as provided in subsection (2), a board, the 
11 department if authorized by the board, or the department for programs without a board may administratively 
12 suspend the license without additional notice or opportunity for hearing.
13 (4) (a) The administrative suspension remains in effect until:
14 (i) a board, the department if authorized by the board, or the department for programs without a 
15 board determines the licensee has cured the deficiency; or
16 (ii) the license terminates as provided in 37-1-141.
17 (b) An administratively suspended license that is not renewed lapses, expires, or terminates as 
18 provided in 37-1-141.
19 (5) A licensee may not use a protected title or practice the licensed profession or occupation while 
20 the license is administratively suspended.
21 (6) To reinstate the administratively suspended license, a licensee must pay an administrative a 
22 fee established by the department by rule and submit information necessary to cure the deficiencies as 
23 determined in the discretion of the department. The board or program may require successful completion of an 
24 examination or other demonstration of the applicant's competency and may reinstate the license or impose 
25 terms and conditions as provided in 37-1-312.
26 (7) Instead of an administrative suspension, the department may refer the deficiencies 
27 demonstrated in subsection (1) for disciplinary proceedings as provided in 37-1-309 or 37-1-403, as applicable. 
28 A board or the department may not proceed against a licensee for the same act or failure to act under both an  **** 
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1 administrative suspension as provided in this section and a disciplinary proceeding as provided in 37-1-309 or 
2 37-1-403."
3
4 Section 37-1-406, MCA, is amended to read:
5 "37-1-406.  (1) Upon On a decision that a licensee or 
6 license applicant has violated this part or is unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety due to a physical 
7 or mental condition committed unprofessional conduct as provided in 37-1-402 or administrative rule, or upon 
8 on stipulation of the parties, as provided in subsection (4), the department may issue an order providing for one 
9 or any combination of the following sanctions that are necessary to protect the public:
10 (a) revocation of the license;
11 (b) suspension of the license for a fixed or indefinite term;
12 (c) compliance with the conditions of probation for a period not to exceed 3 years;
13 (c)(d) restriction or limitation of the practice;
14 (e) monitoring of the practice by a supervisor approved by the disciplining authority;
15 (d)(f) satisfactory completion of a specific program of remedial education or treatment;
16 (g) payment of a fine not to exceed $5,000 for each violation;
17 (h) denial of a license application or issuance of the license for a probationary period not to exceed 
18 3 years;
19 (e) monitoring of the practice by a supervisor approved by the disciplining authority;
20 (f)(i) censure or reprimand, either public or private;
21 (g) compliance with conditions of probation for a designated period of time;
22 (h) payment of a fine not to exceed $1,000 for each violation;
23 (i) denial of a license application;
24 (j) refund of costs and fees billed to and collected from a consumer; or
25 (k) other appropriate action.
26 (2) Any fine collected by the department as a result of disciplinary actions must be deposited in the 
27 state general fund.
28 (3) A sanction may be totally or partly stayed by the department. To determine which sanctions are  **** 
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1 appropriate, the department shall first consider the sanctions that are necessary to protect or compensate the 
2 public. Only after the determination has been made may the department consider and include in the order any 
3 requirements designed to rehabilitate the licensee or license applicant.
4 (4) The licensee or license applicant may enter into a stipulated agreement resolving potential or 
5 pending charges that includes one or more of the sanctions in this section. The stipulation is an informal 
6 disposition for the purposes of 2-4-603.
7 (5) A licensee shall surrender a suspended or revoked license to the department within 24 hours 
8 after receiving notification of the suspension or revocation by mailing the license or delivering it personally to 
9 the department."
10
11 Section 37-1-408, MCA, is amended to read:
12 "37-1-408.  A (1) Unless the department orders a permanent revocation, a licensee 
13 whose license has been suspended or revoked under this part may petition the department for reinstatement 
14 after an interval set by the department in the order. The department may hold a hearing on the petition and may 
15 deny the petition or order reinstatement and impose terms and conditions as provided in 37-1-312.
16 (2) The department may require the successful completion of an examination as a condition of 
17 reinstatement and may treat a licensee whose license has been revoked or suspended as a new applicant for 
18 the purposes of establishing the requisite licensure qualifications of licensure."
19
20 Section 37-1-410, MCA, is amended to read:
21 "37-1-410.  (1) The following is unprofessional conduct for a licensee or 
22 license applicant in a profession or occupation governed by this part:
23 (a) being convicted, subject to Title 37, chapter 1, part 2, having a conviction, including a 
24 conviction following a plea of nolo contendere and regardless of a pending appeal, of a crime relating to or 
25 committed during the course of practicing the person's the practice of the profession or occupation or involving 
26 violence, the use or sale of drugs, fraud, deceit, or theft, whether or not an appeal is pending;
27 (b) engaging in conduct listed as a sexual crime as provided in Title 45, chapter 5, part 5, 
28 regardless of whether the conduct occurred during or is related to the licensee's profession or occupation; **** 
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1 (c) engaging in conduct in the profession or occupation found to be a violation of the Montana 
2 Human Rights Act, Title 49, chapter 2;
3 (b)(d) permitting, aiding, abetting, or conspiring with a person to violate or circumvent a law relating to 
4 licensure or certification;
5 (c)(e) committing fraud, misrepresentation, deception, or concealment of a material fact in applying 
6 for or assisting in securing a license or license renewal or in taking an examination required for licensure;
7 (d)(f) signing or issuing, in the licensee's professional capacity, a document or statement that the 
8 licensee knows or reasonably ought to know contains a false or misleading statement;
9 (e)(g) making a misleading, deceptive, false, or fraudulent advertisement or other representation in 
10 the conduct of the profession or occupation;
11 (f)(h) offering, giving, or promising anything of value or benefit to a federal, state, or local 
12 government employee or official for the purpose of influencing the employee or official to circumvent a federal, 
13 state, or local law, rule, or ordinance governing the licensee's profession or occupation;
14 (g)(i) receiving a denial, suspension, revocation, probation, fine, surrender during investigation in lieu 
15 of discipline, or other license restriction or discipline against a licensee by a state, province, territory, or Indian 
16 tribal government or the federal government by a court, government agency, or private licensing or 
17 credentialing entity if the action is not on appeal or, not under judicial review, or has been satisfied;. For the 
18 purposes of this section, a revoked license or certificate is not satisfied unless it is reinstated.
19 (h)(j) failing failure to comply with a term, condition, or limitation of a license by final order of the 
20 department;
21 (i)(k) having a physical or mental disability that renders the licensee or license applicant unable to 
22 practice the profession or occupation with reasonable skill and safety;
23 (j)(l) misappropriating property or funds from a client or workplace or failing to comply with the 
24 department's rule regarding the accounting and distribution of a client's property or funds;
25 (k)(m) interfering interference with an audit, investigation, inspection, or disciplinary proceeding by 
26 failure to respond or cooperate, willful misrepresentation of facts, failure to respond to department inquiries 
27 regarding a complaint against the licensee or license applicant, or the use of threats or harassment against or 
28 inducement to a client or witness to prevent them from providing evidence in a disciplinary proceeding or other  **** 
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1 legal action or use of threats or harassment against or inducement to a person to prevent or attempt to prevent 
2 a disciplinary proceeding or other legal action from being filed, prosecuted, or completed;
3 (l)(n) assisting in the unlicensed practice of a profession or occupation or allowing another person or 
4 organization to practice or offer to practice the profession or occupation by use of the licensee's license, or 
5 practicing while the licensee's license is in an inactive status;
6 (m)(o) using use of alcohol, an illegal a habit-forming drug, or a dangerous drug controlled substance, 
7 as defined in Title 50, chapter 32, to the extent that the use impairs the user physically or mentally in the 
8 performance of licensed professional duties; or
9 (p) revealing confidential information obtained as the result of a professional relationship without 
10 the prior consent of the recipient of services, except as authorized or required by law;
11 (q) engaging in the practice while suffering from a contagious or infectious disease involving 
12 serious risk to public health or without taking adequate precautions, including but not limited to informed 
13 consent, protective gear, or cessation of practice;
14 (r) violating a federal, state, or local law or rule relating to the conduct of the profession or 
15 occupation; or
16 (n)(s) exhibiting conduct that does not meet generally accepted standards of practice. A certified 
17 copy of a judgment against the licensee or license applicant or of a tort judgment in an action involving an act or 
18 omission occurring within during the scope and course of the practice and the course of the practice is 
19 considered is conclusive evidence of but is not needed to prove conduct that does not meet generally accepted 
20 standards.
21 (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section or any other provision of this title governing 
22 unprofessional conduct of a licensee or a license applicant under this title, it is not unprofessional conduct for a 
23 licensee or a license applicant under this title to engage in the exercise of rights protected under the free 
24 exercise clause or the free speech clause of the Montana constitution or the United States constitution."
25
26 Section 37-3-104, MCA, is amended to read:
27 "37-3-104.  (1) The board shall adopt guidelines by administrative 
28 rule for: **** 
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1 (a) the performance of administrative and clinical tasks by a medical assistant that are allowed to 
2 be delegated by a physician, physician assistant, or podiatrist, including the administration of medications; and
3 (b) the level of physician, physician assistant, or podiatrist supervision required for a medical 
4 assistant when performing specified administrative and clinical tasks delegated by a physician, physician 
5 assistant, or podiatrist. However, the board shall adopt a rule requiring onsite supervision of a medical assistant 
6 by a physician, physician assistant, or podiatrist for invasive procedures, administration of medication, or allergy 
7 testing.
8 (2) The physician, physician assistant, or podiatrist who is supervising the medical assistant is 
9 responsible for:
10 (a) ensuring that the medical assistant is competent to perform clinical tasks and meets the 
11 requirements of the guidelines;
12 (b) ensuring that the performance of the clinical tasks by the medical assistant is in accordance 
13 with the board's guidelines and good medical practice; and
14 (c) ensuring minimum educational requirements for the medical assistant.
15 (3) The board may hold the supervising physician, physician assistant, or podiatrist responsible in 
16 accordance with 37-1-410 37-1-316 or 37-3-323 for any acts of or omissions by the medical assistant acting in 
17 the ordinary course and scope of the assigned duties."
18
19 Section 37-3-404, MCA, is amended to read:
20 "37-3-404. 
21 or health care facility which in good faith provides information to the state board of medical examiners as 
22 required by 37-3-401, 37-3-402, or 37-3-403 is not subject to suit for civil damages as a result thereof."
23
24 Section 37-3-405, MCA, is amended to read:
25 "37-3-405. 
26 organization, association, society, or health care facility to comply with 37-3-401, 37-3-402, or 37-3-403 is 
27 grounds for suspension of any license or privilege granted by the state of Montana. Upon such failure, the 
28 agency granting the license or privilege may, in its discretion, suspend the license or privilege for a period not to  **** 
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1 exceed 1 month."
2
3 Section 37-4-313, MCA, is amended to read:
4 "37-4-313.  The board has the right to compel an evaluation of a 
5 licensee, after notice to the licensee and a hearing if requested by the licensee, based on information reported 
6 pursuant to 37-4-312 [section 2]. The evaluation must be conducted at a facility authorized to conduct 
7 evaluations under a program referred to in 37-4-311."
8
9 NEW SECTION. 	Repealer.
10 repealed:
11 37-1-105. Reporting disciplinary actions against licensees.
12 37-3-324. Reconsideration and review of actions of board.
13 37-3-401. Report of incompetence or unprofessional conduct.
14 37-4-312. Report of incompetence or unprofessional conduct.
15 37-4-314. Immunity of person providing information.
16 37-11-320. Duty to report violations -- immunity from liability.
17 37-12-323. Reconsideration of board action -- fee for restoration of license.
18 37-17-314. Immunity from liability.
19
20 NEW SECTION. Section 16.  Sections 37-3-402, 37-3-403, 37-
21 3-404, and 37-3-405 are intended to be renumbered and codified as a new part in Title 37, chapter 2, with 
22 [section 2].
23
24 NEW SECTION. Section 17.  (1) [Section 1] is intended to be codified as 
25 an integral part of Title 37, chapter 1, part 1, and the provisions of Title 37, chapter 1, part 1, apply to [section 
26 1].
27 (2) [Section 2] is intended to be codified as a new part in Title 37, chapter 2, and the provisions of 
28 Title 37, chapter 2, apply to [section 2]. **** 
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