Constitutional Referendum Would Create Mental Health Trust

Montana lawmakers are laying the groundwork for more permanent solutions to Montana’s suicide epidemic and other mental health challenges with a constitutional proposal to create a mental health trust.

Senate Bill 563 would propose a constitutional amendment to the voters of Montana to amend Article XII of the Montana Constitution. SB 563 requires 100 total votes in the Legislature to advance to the November 2024 general election ballot as a constitutional referendum and the proposed amendment would need support from a majority of Montana voters to go into effect. SB 563 is sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Ken Bogner, a Miles City Republican.

If approved by voters, the constitutional referendum would establish the Montana Mental Health Trust Fund, generating interest to fund mental health programs off the principal allocated by the Legislature and requiring a supermajority vote for the fund to be used for any purpose other than mental health.

“Mental health is a serious issue in Montana, especially given our tragically high suicide rates,” Bogner said. “This constitutional trust would begin creating a permanent and stable long-term funding solution for mental health care.”

The Mental Health Trust Fund is modeled after existing trusts contained in the Montana Constitution, such as the Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund and the Noxious Weed Management Trust Fund.

“We have other trusts in our state constitution with specific purposes and we think adding a dedicated trust for mental health is a good government proposal looking well out into the future,” said Senate President Jason Ellsworth and Senate Majority Leader Steve Fitzpatrick jointly. “We hope the entire Legislature, Republicans and Democrats alike, can get on board with establishing this framework for dedicated mental health funding. We’ve heard again and again from Montanans that mental health care is a major concern and we’d like to give them the opportunity to establish a dedicated constitutional trust.”

SB 563 (had) its first hearing (on Tuesday, March 28) in the Senate Health Committee.