HB 770 | End Prohibition on Cannabis

HB 770 | End Prohibition on Cannabis

The criminalization of cannabis has been an unmitigated disaster for marginalized communities for decades. This legislation would’ve brought my state in line with our neighbors - it also would’ve quadrupled the amount of money devoted to mental health and drug and alcohol abuse prevention.  This legislation serves as the basis of a voter initiative in 2020.

HB 474 | Mobile Home Owner and Tenant Protections

HB 474 | Mobile Home Owner and Tenant Protections

I heard from my constituents - they were worried about their homes being taken away from them. Rapid development is displacing the homes that Montanans have lived in for decades.  This legislation allowed for actual tenants’ rights for Montanans living in mobile homes.  For too long they have been treated like second class citizens.

HB 729 | Alternative Payment Method for Medicaid-Covered Prescription Drugs

HB 729 | Alternative Payment Method for Medicaid-Covered Prescription Drugs

Montana rations lifesaving drugs. Other states do not. That’s a fact. This bill would have worked to remedy that moral failing by saving the state money in purchasing these drugs. It would not have cost anything more than what we already spend. Louisiana does this (with the blessing of the Trump administration, no less).

HB 571 | Protect the Privacy of Patients’ Medical Data

HB 571 | Protect the Privacy of Patients’ Medical Data

Patient’s medical data is being merged with other metadata to create “health risk scores” that can be used to discriminate against patients’ right to access to medical care.  This bill put sideboards on the practice and required medical professionals to notify patients when third-party data was utilized.