Committee: Children, Families, Health, & Human Services Interim Committee
Author: Sue O'Connell
Posted on August 17, 2018
A legislative committee has encouraged the Department of Public Health and Human Services to provide essential services with the money that will be restored to the agency's budget as a result of legislation from last year's special session.
The Children, Families, Health, and Human Services Interim Committee made the request at an Aug. 6 meeting, held specifically to take public comment on how the funds should be used.
Senate Bill 9 from the November 2017 special legislative session allowed state agencies to receive additional funding during the current fiscal year if revenues for the recently completed fiscal year reached a specified level. Revenues reached that level this summer, triggering the restoration of funding. DPHHS is slated to receive more than $30 million.
Although the committee took public comment on the DPHHS budget, it does not have the authority to require that the additional money be used in a specific way. By law, the executive branch will decide how to use the funds.
After hearing nearly four hours of public comment, the committee agreed to ask DPHHS for a detailed list of the ways the agency uses the money.
Members also asked the agency to focus on essential services as outlined in SB 9. That bill describes essential services as services provided to the most vulnerable Montanans; to families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities; and to ensure a continuum of care that allows people to remain in the least restrictive environment.
The committee asked that DPHHS provide the information on use of the money by Sept. 10. The committee will hold its final meeting on Sept. 13-14.
For more information about the committee's activities, including a copy of the letter to DPHHS, please visit the committee's website or contact the committee staff.
Committee Website: http://leg.mt.gov/cfhhs
Committee Staff: soconnell@mt.gov or (406) 444-3597
