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69th Legislature 2025 HB 749.1
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – HB 749
1 HOUSE BILL NO. 749
2 INTRODUCED BY M. CAFERRO
3
4 A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT PROVIDING PRIORITY CRITERIA FOR CERTAIN PUBLIC
5 ASSISTANCE AND HUMAN SERVICES CONTRACTORS.”
6
7 WHEREAS, Montana's local human service providers are experts in their communities, uniquely
8 equipped to leverage local knowledge, relationships, and resources to effectively meet the specific needs of
9 Montanans; and
10 WHEREAS, local providers are directly accountable to their communities, fostering trust, transparency,
11 and better outcomes for the people they serve; and
12 WHEREAS, local providers are best positioned to deliver access to vital programs and services for
13 Montanans within their own communities; and
14 WHEREAS, investing in local providers ensures that Montana's tax dollars remain within the state
15 supporting local businesses, creating Montana jobs, and enhancing the vitality of Montana communities.
16
17 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
18
19 NEW SECTION. Section 1.
20 The applicable department shall award contracts for the provision of human services, family
21 services, and public assistance programs, including housing assistance and energy assistance programs, using
22 a scoring system that gives priority to the following criteria:
23 (1) demonstrated experience of the eligible provider in successfully operating the program within
24 the specified geographic area;
25 (2) the length of time the provider has been providing relevant service in the state;
26 (3) the provider's ability to leverage its existing relationships and partnerships to facilitate the
27 effective implementation of the program; and
28 (4) the number of in-state jobs the provider proposes to create or maintain relative to the ****
69th Legislature 2025 HB 749.1
- 2 - Authorized Print Version – HB 749
1 population of the region where service is proposed.
2
3 NEW SECTION. Section 2. [Section 1] is intended to be codified as an
4 integral part of Title 18, chapter 4, part 3, and the provisions of Title 18, chapter 4, part 3, apply to [section 1].
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