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69th Legislature 2025 SB 378.1
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – SB 378
1 SENATE BILL NO. 378
2 INTRODUCED BY S. WEBBER, J. REAVIS, B. EDWARDS, J. ISALY, M. LEE, P. STRAND, T. CROWE, B.
3 CLOSE, S. FYANT, J. WEBER, J. SOOKTIS, M. CUNNINGHAM, W. CURDY, J. MORIGEAU, T. RUNNING
4 WOLF, D. FERN, M. FOX, L. SMITH, J. WINDY BOY, B. CARTER, T. FRANCE, D. HAWK, D. HAYMAN, S.
5 HOWELL, E. KERR-CARPENTER, E. STAFMAN, M. MARLER, S. DEMAROIS
6
7 A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TRIBAL RELATIONS MANAGEMENT TEAM IN
8 THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES; AND PROVIDING DUTIES FOR TEAM
9 MEMBERS.”
10
11 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
12
13 NEW SECTION. Section 1. (1) There is a tribal relations
14 management team in the department of public health and human services that consists of a tribal relations
15 manager and a director of American Indian health.
16 (2) The tribal relations manager:
17 (a) serves as the lead communicator to tribal governments, the federal government, and other
18 tribal health partners in support of the department's government-to-government relationship;
19 (b) provides advice and guidance to assist in educating, informing, and supporting department
20 leaders as they integrate work with tribal communities and governments;
21 (c) provides guidance and assistance to department staff in the creation of policy and programs
22 that involve collaborative work with tribes;
23 (d) assists in organizing and facilitating formal tribal consultations, including requirements pursuant
24 to 2-15-141 through 2-15-143;
25 (e) coordinates and finalizes the annual tribal relations report to the governor required in 2-15-143;
26 and
27 (f) carries out other duties as determined by the department, except for those assigned to the
28 director of American Indian health pursuant to subsection (3). ****
69th Legislature 2025 SB 378.1
- 2 - Authorized Print Version – SB 378
1 (3) The director of American Indian health:
2 (a) identifies sources of disparities in health, lifespans, and other health outcomes that exist
3 between Indian and non-Indian populations in the state;
4 (b) develops strategies for improving health equity while providing a forum for addressing state-
5 tribal health issues; and
6 (c) carries out other duties as determined by the department, except for those assigned to the
7 tribal relations manager pursuant to subsection (2).
8 (4) The tribal relations manager and director of American Indian health may coordinate and
9 collaborate to carry out their duties, but the positions may not be held by the same individual.
10
11 NEW SECTION. Section 2. The secretary of state shall send a
12 copy of [this act] to each federally recognized tribal government in Montana.
13
14 NEW SECTION. Section 3. [Section 1] is intended to be codified as an
15 integral part of Title 2, chapter 15, part 22, and the provisions of Title 2, chapter 15, part 22, apply to [section 1].
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