Montana’s local public-health officers and boards, who’ve made difficult and sometimes unpopular decisions during the Covid-19 pandemic, have had their wings clipped by a trio of Republican-passed bills at the 2021 Legislature.
GOP clips the wings of Montana public health officials
Bills restrict public-health powers
MTN News
A trio of bills passed by Republicans at the 2021 Legislature limit the power of local public-health officials.
and last updated 2021-05-04 18:54:24-04
HELENA â Montanaâs municipal and county public-health officers and boards, whoâve made difficult and sometimes unpopular decisions during the Covid-19 pandemic, have had their wings clipped by a trio of Republican-passed bills at the 2021 Legislature. The bills â one of which is law, and the other two that are about to be â erase some enforcement power entirely, for things like mask mandates, and allow the public or local elected officials to curb health officersâ power.
Gallatin County health leaders concerned with House Bill 257
FILE
and last updated 2021-05-03 19:19:45-04
BOZEMAN â The 2021 legislative session has ended, but thereâs still a lot of questions as far as public health decisions.
âWeâre trying to understand the implications of some of the legislation coming out of Helena, said Gallatin County Health Officer Matt Kelley. I will say in some cases Iâm confused. Weâre really feeling kind of whip-sawed by some of this.â
Part of House Bill 257 revises the law to stop actions from being made which impede a private businessâ ability to conduct business.
Gallatin County residents can now sign up directly for COVID-19 vaccine appointments through the county as availability of doses widens.
The change in the countyâs sign-up process was announced and became effective Tuesday. Since late March, residents were able to sign up for a waiting list through the county, which then sent appointment invitations to those on the list.
More than 15,000 people have signed up for the waiting list since April 1, according to the county, and over 95 percent of those waiting for a vaccine have been invited to sign up for an appointment.
The county will reach out to those remaining on the list with appointment invitations, according to a county news release.
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