Montana House green-lights mental health group homes

HELENA (AP) – State representatives have green-lighted a proposal to fund four mental health group homes in Montana.

The House voted 79-21 Saturday to pass House Bill 24 on second reading.

The bill’s fiscal note says the measure would send $3 million in state funds and about $500,000 in federal funds to four mental health group homes that could serve 16 people over the next two years. All patients would come from the Montana State Hospital in Warm Springs.

Democratic Rep. Casey Schreiner’s bill replaced a similar proposal that Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock proposed in January.

Between proposals from the governor, Schreiner and other lawmakers, the state is likely to pass nearly $20 million in new or expanded mental health care services this session.