Commission Information

Beginning in July 2023, the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations (BHSFG) Commission spent 14 months hosting 12 public meetings in Missoula, Kalispell, Billings, Havre, Helena, and Great Falls, before presenting its final report to the governor in September 2024. Each meeting included extensive testimony from community stakeholders, people with lived experience, and subject matter experts, which further informed the report’s recommendations and contributed to the Commission’s consensus-driven approach.

As required by HB 872, the report comprises detailed recommendations on how to make historic investments in Montana’s BH and DD service systems. It contains 22 recommendations and 11 Near-Term Initiatives (NTIs). The governor’s Path to Security and Prosperity Budget fully funds all Phase 1 foundational recommendations contained in the Commission’s final report.

In the months ahead, the Commission will continue its diligent work to transform Montana’s BH and DD systems to meet the needs of all Montanans. This work includes the full implementation of all NTIs.  

The next Commission meeting will be all virtual and is scheduled for Friday, December 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The meeting can be viewed from the Montana Legislature website. Those wishing to make a public comment can register using this Zoom link.

Meeting materials:

 Contact for this project: 
Brett Carter
Brett.carter2@mt.gov

Frequently Asked Questions

The commission members were announced on July 17 and consist of the bill sponsor, three members appointed by the governor, and five legislators from committees outlined in House Bill 872.

The Behavioral Health System for Future Generations Commission members are as follows:

Rep. Bob Keenan, R-Bigfork; Charlie Brereton, Director, DPHHS; Patrick Maddison, CEO, Flathead Industries; Janet Lindow, Executive Director and Co-Founder, Rural Behavioral Health Institute; Rep. Michele Binkley, R-Hamilton; Rep. Mike Yakawich, R-Billings; Rep. Dave Fern, D-Whitefish; Sen. John Esp, R- Big Timber; and Sen. Ellie Boldman, D-Missoula.

The commission is charged with recommending to the governor how the $300 million investment is expended.

In addition to the governor, the commission will submit reports of its recommendations to the governor’s Office of Budget and Program Planning and to the legislative fiscal analyst. The reports must include one or more of the following:

  • initiatives that address behavioral health
  • initiatives that assist those with developmental disabilities
  • outcome measures, as defined in 2-15-2221
  • output measures, as defined in 2-15-2221
  • performance measures, as defined in 2-15-2221
  • the amount of funding required for the initiatives

Previous meeting information is available here

Previous meeting dates

  • Thursday, July 20, 2023, Helena
  • Friday, September 8, 2023, Helena
  • Friday, October 13, 2023, Missoula
  • Thursday, November 30 and Friday, December 1, 2023, Kalispell
  • Thursday, January 11, 2024, and Friday, January 12, 2024, Billings
  • Tuesday, March 5, 2024, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Great Falls
  • Thursday, March 28, 2024, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday, March 29, 2024, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Havre
  • Monday, April 22, noon – 5 p.m. and Tuesday, April 23, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in Helena
  • Monday, May 20, 2024, Helena
  • Friday, June 28,  2024, in Helena
  • Tuesday, July 23, 2024, meeting with interim legislative committees, in Helena
  • Monday, August 26, 2024, in Helena
  • Monday, September 30, 2024, final BHSFG Commission report presented to Gov. Gianforte in Helena

Upcoming meetings

  • The next commission meeting will take place on Thursday, October 24, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. This meeting will be entirely virtual. A link to the meeting will be posted closer to the meeting date.