New legislation would require elected official approval of local health board and officer actions

Missoula County Health Department.
Missoula County Health Department.

New legislation being considered today by Montana legislators would amend the authority of local health boards and officers to offer a new check on their orders, directives, and mandates.

The legislation, House Bill 121, was proposed by Montana state representative David Bedey of Hamilton.

Under the proposed legislation, governing bodies of local health authorities, such as the Missoula County Board of Commissioners and the Missoula City Council, will have the power to “amend, rescind, or otherwise change the directive, mandate, or order” of local health boards.

“A directive, mandate, or order issued by a local board of health in response to a declaration of emergency and/or disaster by the governor as allowed … or by the principal executive officer of a political subdivision … remains in effect until the majority of the governing body moves to amend, rescind, or otherwise change the directive, mandate, or order.”

Read the full legislation here.

Provide your support for this legalization to the House Local Government Committee here.

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Roy McKenzie

Roy McKenzie is Publisher of Western Montana News. He covered Missoula County's response to the COVID-19 event during 2020 and 2021, the discrepancies found in the 2020 Missoula County General Election, and covers politics in Missoula.

1 Comments

  1. Sherry Lawellin on January 16, 2021 at 8:10 am

    There are those in this matter that CAN NOT physically wear a mask (claustrophobic) or other viable reason and we should not have to explain to any one! Just asking for understanding!

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