We’re fast approaching the general transmittal deadline for the 2025 Montana Legislative Session. By the end of today, all general bills – ones that don’t involve appropriations, revenue, or referenda – have to pass out of their initial chamber, or they are dead. This is an important deadline that roughly marks the halfway point of the session, so it’s a great time to pause, take stock, and reset for the second half!

Priority Issues

Healthcare

Access to comprehensive healthcare is foundational to women’s economic development and financial stability. WFM supports continuing Medicaid coverage, increasing the availability of maternal health services, and protecting access to reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare.

House Bill 245 by Rep. Ed Buttrey, a bill reauthorizing the Montana Medicaid program, passed both chambers with bipartisan support and is headed to the Governor’s desk for his signature! HB 245 will allow over 80,000 Montanans to keep their access to health care. Medicaid coverage continuation will help ensure that more women, particularly those with lower incomes, have access to essential health care services, including preventive care and maternal health services. Reducing out-of-pocket health costs and preventing medical debt allows women to allocate their resources toward other needs, such as education, housing, and career development.

WFM joined grantee Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies in support of Senate Bill 319 by Sen. Cora Neumann to provide Montana doulas with a pathway to certification. Doulas improve birth outcomes by providing safe, supportive, and empowering experiences during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. A certification program will help doulas create sustainable practices and extend the benefits of doula care to more Montana families. SB 319 passed second reading in the Senate and has been referred to the Senate Finance and Claims Committee before a final Senate vote.

We also joined with WFM Grantees Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana, Catalyst Montana, Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, and Bridgercare to protect access to reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare, including testifying against:

• Oppose: HB 121 effectively bans transgender people from using restrooms or public facilities that align with their gender identity. The bill passed both chambers and is headed to the Governor’s desk.
• Oppose: SB 164 criminalizes parents, caregivers, and medical providers who support children in accessing gender-affirming health care. It passed the Senate and has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
• Oppose: HB 316 proposes a constitutional amendment to grant rights to fertilized eggs from the moment of conception. If approved by voters, this could prohibit common forms of birth control, in-vitro fertilization, and life-saving medical care for women. HB 316 passed out of the House Judiciary Committee and is awaiting a vote on the House Floor. This bill requires a two-thirds vote of both chambers to pass.* 
• Oppose: HB 555 limits access to reproductive healthcare by targeting medication used for abortion and miscarriage management. This bill was tabled in the House Judiciary Committee!

Childcare

Childcare can cost even more than in-state college tuition in Montana and is often an overwhelming burden for working families. Limited childcare options and high costs often force parents – especially women – to turn down promotions and more hours at work, or to leave the workforce altogether. Investing in childcare helps parents continue working and helps businesses maintain a strong workforce.

Alongside the Montana Advocates for Children – led by WFM Grantee Montana Budget and Policy Center – we supported proposals to increase access to childcare:

• Support: HB 360 by Rep. Melissa Romano would establish statewide funding to raise compensation for all childcare workers, making it easier to recruit and retain great staff. This bill was tabled in the House Human Services Committee.*
• Support: HB 456 by Rep. Jonathan Karlen expands Best Beginnings scholarship eligibility to all childcare workers, regardless of their family income. This bill passed out of the House Business and Labor Committee and is awaiting a House Floor vote.*
• Support: HB 457, also by Rep. Jonathan Karlen, expands Best Beginnings scholarship eligibility to families earning up to 85% of the Montana median income. This bill passed out of the House Human Services Committee and is awaiting a House Floor vote.*

Paid Family and Medical Leave

Senate Bill 325 by Sen. Derek Harvey, the Montana Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act, would establish a statewide family and medical leave insurance program. By pooling small contributions from employees and employers, the program would create a dedicated funding stream for workers when they need time off to care for themselves or a loved one. These small contributions – less than half of one percent of wages – would allow eligible workers to receive a portion of their paycheck while on leave. This cost-effective approach helps employers retain workers, boosts workers’ economic security, and improves families’ well-being, public health, and the overall economy. Unfortunately, SB 325 was tabled by the Senate Business and Labor Committee.*

[*Appropriation, revenue, and referenda bills have a later transmittal deadline]

Public Participation

Your voice is needed! Policy decisions need more input, insight, and perspective from women and their advocates. We invite you to join us in advocating for policy change that benefits women and their families as we head into the second half of the session. You can submit a comment or provide remote testimony by registering for an account here: https://www.legmt.gov/participate. You can also call the Montana capitol switchboard at (406) 444-4800 to leave a message for any legislator or committee