FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: November 28 2025

Contact:
Jon Ebelt, Communications Director,
DPHHS, (406) 444-0936, (406) 461-3757
jebelt@mt.gov

Laurel Selected for New Behavioral Health Facility

HELENA, Mont. – The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) announced today the selection of Laurel, Mont., as the location of its new behavioral health facility, after the director of the Office of Budget and Program Planning (OBPP) approved a plan from DPHHS and the Board of Investments (BOI).

“We are grateful to the City of Laurel and its leaders for their interest in partnering with the state on a new behavioral health facility,” DPHHS Director Charlie Brereton said. “Laurel provides access to a critical health care workforce and infrastructure necessary to ensure the facility’s success. Furthermore, Laurel’s geographic location is ideally situated for improving transportation logistics for patients and their families, staff, and law enforcement across central and eastern Montana.”

In 2025, Montana legislators passed House Bill 5, which transfers $26.5 million to BOI to build a behavioral health facility. The project represents a focused effort to expand access to high-quality mental health services, improve patient outcomes, and strengthen eastern Montana’s public health infrastructure.

The letter to OBPP selecting Laurel as the facility location can be viewed at hb5.mt.gov.