Montana - Legislators Need to Hear Your Voice
This week, SB 535 will be voted on in committee and HB 682 heads back to the House
Gene editing revolutionized science. PopTika/Shutterstock
The hearing on SB 535, Revising Laws Related to Experimental Treatments, was heard in House Human Services on April 9th and it was a good one! I am grateful for the many concerned Montanans and other medical freedom groups who spoke up in strong opposition to this bill. If you would like to listen to the hearing, click here.
Once again, the only proponents of the bill were all out of state venture capitalists, bio tech companies and the Alliance for Longevity Initiative (a4li.org), led by Dylan Livingston. Mr. Livingston made many statements, particularly in the questions segment of the hearing, which were disputable. Our Board Chair of MMFA, Dr. Christy Drivdahl-Smith, wrote a summary of our concerns with the bill and some questionable statements that were made by the proponents.
It’s a quick and informative read:
I’ve been told that the Human Services committee will hold executive action on SB 535 on Tuesday or Wednesday so it’s imperative that the committee hears from us to oppose this bill. This will not be a party line vote. I’ve had conversations with Republicans who love the idea and Democrats who also have red flags going up. Please contact the entire committee to VOTE NO. The above summary from Dr Drivdahl-Smith will lend some ideas to communicate to the committee members. Feel free to use them.
Our next priority bill for the week is, HB 682, Generally Revising Laws Regarding Gender Transition Treatment, which is heading back to the House after a friendly amendment was added before the Senate Judiciary hearing. This bill is extremely important, because SB 218, which also gave those harmed by gender treatment an extended period of time to file a medical malpractice claim, was absolutely gutted on the House floor and is now basically worthless. HB 682 is a great bill and our best hope to help minors who were harmed by this sham medical care. We are expecting the same awful amendment to be introduced on the House floor, so our Republican Representatives need to hear to OPPOSE ANY AMENDMENT and vote green on the bill as is. There were 13 Republicans who voted in favor of an unfriendly amendment on 682 when it was initially heard on the House floor. They are:
Brad Barker
David Bedey
Lyn Bennett
Marta Bertoglia
Julie Darling
Steve Fitzpatrick
Llew Jones
Valerie Moore
George Nikolakakos
Melissa Nikolakakos
Linda Reksten
Courtney Sprunger
Ken Walsh
Again, they all need to hear the message, so please call and ask the entire Republican House to vote YES ON HB 682 AS IS.
I don’t have a 2nd reading date yet, but I assume it will be this week. Things are moving at a furious pace.
As a reminder, you can check any bills’ text or status that we are engaged with on our Legislative Tracker.
It was a tough week with SB 136, Prohibiting the use of consent in Physician Assisted Suicide and SB 474, Require acceptance of religious and personal medical exemptions to required immunizations, both failing their vote. There is still life in some other very good bills so keep up the prayers!