MT legislative records: on Abortion


Albert Olszewski: Voted YES that insurers have plans with and without abortion

Gov. Bullock rejected a bill by Sen.C.Smith that would have required health insurers that offer coverage plans that include elective abortions to also provide a reciprocal plan that does not cover elective abortions. Bullock said the proposal could leave women without coverage options necessary for unforeseen events. "SB 349 would create additional administrative burdens and costs for insurance companies," Bullock wrote.

Legislative Summary: An act requiring an issuer who offers health insurance coverage that includes elective abortion coverage to also sell health insurance coverage that does not include elective abortion coverage.

Governor's Veto Message: I stand firmly opposed to restrictions on a woman's ability to make deeply personal medical decisions in consultation with her medical provider, family members, and spiritual leaders.

Rep. Olszewski voted YEA on April 11, 2015; vote was 54-42-4

Source: Great Falls Tribune on Montana voting records for SB 349 Apr 30, 2015

Albert Olszewski: Prohibit abortions after the fetus is 24 weeks

Among the bills proposed by Olszewski include Senate Bill 282, which was amended in the House and passed third reading in the Senate. It prohibits abortions after the fetus is 24 weeks and violations are a felony. He said the bill ensures that a woman in late pregnancy who has a life-threatening health condition that forces her to terminate her pregnancy does so with the safest medical procedures available and have the ability to save the life of the child and herself.
Source: Great Falls Tribune on Montana voting record SB 282 Apr 11, 2017

Amanda Curtis: Oppose "ministries" outside of birth control insurance law

SB 181: Exempt health care sharing ministries from insurance laws

Summary by The Montana Post, May 25, 2018: Under SB181, reproductive health care options can be refused in the same manner Hobby Lobby refuses to cover birth control for their employees. The Democratic State Auditor's office noted the measure would strip consumers of health insurance protections under state insurance law and prevent the agency from investigating complaints.

Governor's Veto Message, Apr/5/13 : SB 181 creates a loophole in the insurance code for any entity calling itself a "health care sharing ministry." By exempting these ministries from the same regulations governing other insurers, SB 181 opens the door to fraud and abuse. It would distort the charitable purpose of health care sharing ministries and leave Montanans vulnerable.

Legislative outcome: on 2/22/13: Passed Senate 31-18-1; on 3/20/13: Passed House 58-39-3; Rep. Curtis voted NO; Vetoed by Gov.Bullock 4/5/13.

Source: The Montana Post on Montana legislative voting record SB 181 Mar 20, 2013

Bill McChesney: Oppose "ministries" outside of birth control insurance law

SB 181: Exempt health care sharing ministries from insurance laws

Summary by The Montana Post, May 25, 2018: Under SB181, reproductive health care options can be refused in the same manner Hobby Lobby refuses to cover birth control for their employees. The Democratic State Auditor's office noted the measure would strip consumers of health insurance protections under state insurance law and prevent the agency from investigating complaints.

Governor's Veto Message, Apr/5/13 : SB 181 creates a loophole in the insurance code for any entity calling itself a "health care sharing ministry." By exempting these ministries from the same regulations governing other insurers, SB 181 opens the door to fraud and abuse. It would distort the charitable purpose of health care sharing ministries and leave Montanans vulnerable.

Legislative outcome: on 2/22/13: Passed Senate 31-18-1; on 3/20/13: Passed House 58-39-3; Rep. Bill McChesney voted NO; Vetoed 4/5/13.

Source: The Montana Post on Montana legislative voting record SB 181 Mar 20, 2013

Casey Schreiner: Oppose "ministries" outside of birth control insurance law

SB 181: Exempt health care sharing ministries from insurance laws

Summary by The Montana Post, May 25, 2018: Under SB181, reproductive health care options can be refused in the same manner Hobby Lobby refuses to cover birth control for their employees. The Democratic State Auditor's office noted the measure would strip consumers of health insurance protections under state insurance law and prevent the agency from investigating complaints.

Governor's Veto Message, Apr/5/13 : SB 181 creates a loophole in the insurance code for any entity calling itself a "health care sharing ministry." By exempting these ministries from the same regulations governing other insurers, SB 181 opens the door to fraud and abuse. It would distort the charitable purpose of health care sharing ministries and leave Montanans vulnerable.

Legislative outcome: on 2/22/13: Passed Senate 31-18-1; on 3/20/13: Passed House 58-39-3; Rep. Casey Schreiner voted NO; Vetoed 4/5/13.

Source: The Montana Post on Montana legislative voting record SB 181 Mar 20, 2013

Gary Perry: Would require parental notification for minors' abortions

Less-well-known Republican Gubernatorial candidate Gary Perry introduced a bill when he was a state senator to require parental notification when a minor has an abortion.
Source: MTPR Public Radio on Montana legislative voting record May 21, 2019

Gary Perry: If notification unconstitutional, why not for everything

Senate Bill 374, introduced by Sen. Gary Perry, aims to change that law's language to allow for a new constitutionality test. The Republican from Manhattan said its absurd that parental consent is currently required for medicines, tattoos and body piercings, but not for abortions. "If you believe this bill is unconstitutional, then why have you not declared the unconstitutionality of parental authority for all medical procedures," Perry asked fellow lawmakers.
Source: Helena Independent_Record on Montana voting record SB.374 Feb 25, 2009

Matt Rosendale: Rejected that insurers have plans with and without abortion

Gov. Bullock rejected a bill that would have required health insurers that offer coverage plans that include elective abortions to also provide a reciprocal plan that does not cover elective abortions. Bullock said the proposal could leave women without coverage options necessary for unforeseen events. "SB 349 would create additional administrative burdens and costs for insurance companies, potentially doubling the number of insurance products, and ultimately leading to increased costs," Bullock wrote.

Legislative Summary: An act requiring an issuer who offers health insurance coverage that includes elective abortion coverage to also sell health insurance coverage that does not include elective abortion coverage.

Governor's Veto Message: I stand firmly opposed to restrictions on a woman's ability to make deeply personal medical decisions.

Legislative outcome: Passed Senate 29-21-0, 4/15/15; passed Senate 54-42-4, 4/11/15

Source: Great Falls Tribune on Montana voting records for SB 349 Apr 30, 2015

Matt Rosendale: Provide religious exemption to birth control insurance law

SB 181: Exempt health care sharing ministries from insurance laws

Summary by The Montana Post, May 25, 2018: Under SB181, reproductive health care options can be refused in the same manner Hobby Lobby refuses to cover birth control for their employees. The Democratic State Auditor's office noted the measure would strip consumers of health insurance protections under state insurance law and prevent the agency from investigating complaints.

Governor's Veto Message, Apr/5/13 : SB 181 creates a loophole in the insurance code for any entity calling itself a "health care sharing ministry." By exempting these ministries from the same regulations governing other insurers, SB 181 opens the door to fraud and abuse. It would distort the charitable purpose of health care sharing ministries and leave Montanans vulnerable.

Legislative outcome: on 2/22/13: Passed Senate 31-18-1; Sen. Rosendale voted YES; on 3/20/13: Passed House 58-39-3; Vetoed 4/5/13.

Source: The Montana Post on Montana legislative voting record SB 181 Feb 22, 2013

Reilly Neill: Oppose "ministries" outside of birth control insurance law

SB 181: Exempt health care sharing ministries from insurance laws

Summary by The Montana Post, May 25, 2018: Under SB181, reproductive health care options can be refused in the same manner Hobby Lobby refuses to cover birth control for their employees. The Democratic State Auditor's office noted the measure would strip consumers of health insurance protections under state insurance law and prevent the agency from investigating complaints.

Governor's Veto Message, Apr/5/13 : SB 181 creates a loophole in the insurance code for any entity calling itself a "health care sharing ministry." By exempting these ministries from the same regulations governing other insurers, SB 181 opens the door to fraud and abuse. It would distort the charitable purpose of health care sharing ministries and leave Montanans vulnerable.

Legislative outcome: on 2/22/13: Passed Senate 31-18-1; on 3/20/13: Passed House 58-39-3; Rep. Neill voted NO; Vetoed by Gov. Bullock 4/5/13.

Source: The Montana Post on Montana legislative voting record SB 181 Mar 20, 2013

Steve Bullock: Rejected that insurers have plans with and without abortion

Bullock rejected a bill by Sen. Cary Smith that would have required health insurers that offer coverage plans that include elective abortions to also provide a reciprocal plan that does not cover elective abortions. Bullock said the proposal could leave women without coverage options necessary for unforeseen events. "SB 349 would create additional administrative burdens and costs for insurance companies, potentially doubling the number of insurance products, and ultimately leading to increased costs," Bullock wrote.

Legislative Summary: An act requiring an issuer who offers health insurance coverage that includes elective abortion coverage to also sell health insurance coverage that does not include elective abortion coverage.

Governor's Veto Message: As a father, husband, and son, I stand firmly opposed to restrictions on a woman's ability to make deeply personal medical decisions in consultation with her medical provider, family members, and spiritual leaders.

Source: Great Falls Tribune on Montana voting records for SB 349 Apr 30, 2015

Steve Bullock: Vetoed "ministries" operating outside of insurance law

SB 181: Exempt health care sharing ministries from insurance laws

Summary by The Montana Post, May 25, 2018: Under SB181, reproductive health care options can be refused in the same manner Hobby Lobby refuses to cover birth control for their employees. The Democratic State Auditor's office noted the measure would strip consumers of health insurance protections under state insurance law and prevent the agency from investigating complaints.

Governor's Veto Message, Apr/5/13 : SB 181 creates a loophole in the insurance code for any entity calling itself a "health care sharing ministry." By exempting these ministries from the same regulations governing other insurers, SB 181 opens the door to fraud and abuse. It would distort the charitable purpose of health care sharing ministries and leave Montanans vulnerable.

Legislative outcome: Passed House 58-39-3, Mar/20/13; Passed Senate 31-18-1, Feb/22/13; Vetoed by Governor Steve Bullock Apr/5/13.

Source: The Montana Post on Montana legislative voting record SB 181 Apr 5, 2013

Greg Gianforte: Restrict unborn child from "dismemberment abortion"

HB721: Restrict unborn child from dismemberment abortion.Montana Free Press 5/16/23: The bill bars "dismemberment abortion," a nonmedical term defined as "the use of any instrument, medicine, or drug" to intentionally terminate pregnancies and the "insertion of grasping instruments" to remove a fetus.KTVH News, 5/18/23: A Montana Court granted Planned Parenthood's temporary restraining order on the enforcement of HB 721 [because] the law may be in violation of the Montana Constitution. HB 721 prohibits the use of "dilation and evacuation" abortions, a typical form of abortion after 12 weeks. The President of Planned Parenthood of Montana said, "The court has recognized the grave harm these anti-abortion laws will have on people seeking basic health care. Politics has no place in the exam room."

Legislative Summary: Passed House 67-31-2 on Mar/3/23; passed Senate 31-19-0 on Apr/7/23; signed by Governor Greg Gianforte on May/16/23.

Source: Montana State Legislature voting records HB721 May 16, 2023

Tanner Smith: Restrict unborn child from "dismemberment abortion"

HB721: Restrict unborn child from dismemberment abortion.Montana Free Press 5/16/23: The bill bars "dismemberment abortion," a nonmedical term defined as "the use of any instrument, medicine, or drug" to intentionally terminate pregnancies and the "insertion of grasping instruments" to remove a fetus.KTVH News, 5/18/23: A Montana Court granted Planned Parenthood's temporary restraining order on the enforcement of HB 721 [because] the law may be in violation of the Montana Constitution. HB 721 prohibits the use of "dilation and evacuation" abortions, a typical form of abortion after 12 weeks. The President of Planned Parenthood of Montana said, "The court has recognized the grave harm these anti-abortion laws will have on people seeking basic health care. Politics has no place in the exam room."

Legislative Summary: Passed House 67-31-2 on Mar/3/23; State Rep. Tanner Smith voted YES; passed Senate 31-19-0 on Apr/7/23; signed by Gov. Gianforte on May/16/23.

Source: Montana State Legislature voting records HB721 Mar 3, 2023

  • The above quotations are from Legislative voting records for Montana House and Senate.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Abortion.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
Candidates and political leaders on Abortion:

Retired Senate as of Jan. 2015:
GA:Chambliss(R)
IA:Harkin(D)
MI:Levin(D)
MT:Baucus(D)
NE:Johanns(R)
OK:Coburn(R)
SD:Johnson(D)
WV:Rockefeller(D)

Resigned from 113th House:
AL-1:Jo Bonner(R)
FL-19:Trey Radel(R)
LA-5:Rod Alexander(R)
MA-5:Ed Markey(D)
MO-9:Jo Ann Emerson(R)
NC-12:Melvin Watt(D)
SC-1:Tim Scott(R) 		Retired House to run for Senate or Governor:
AR-4:Tom Cotton(R)
GA-1:Jack Kingston(R)
GA-10:Paul Broun(R)
GA-11:Phil Gingrey(R)
HI-1:Colleen Hanabusa(D)
IA-1:Bruce Braley(D)
LA-6:Bill Cassidy(R)
ME-2:Mike Michaud(D)
MI-14:Gary Peters(D)
MT-0:Steve Daines(R)
OK-5:James Lankford(R)
PA-13:Allyson Schwartz(D)
TX-36:Steve Stockman(R)
WV-2:Shelley Capito(R) 		Retired House as of Jan. 2015:
AL-6:Spencer Bachus(R)
AR-2:Tim Griffin(R)
CA-11:George Miller(D)
CA-25:Howard McKeon(R)
CA-33:Henry Waxman(D)
CA-45:John Campbell(R)
IA-3:Tom Latham(R)
MN-6:Michele Bachmann(R)
NC-6:Howard Coble(R)
NC-7:Mike McIntyre(D)
NJ-3:Jon Runyan(R)
NY-4:Carolyn McCarthy(D)
NY-21:Bill Owens(D)
PA-6:Jim Gerlach(R)
UT-4:Jim Matheson(D)
VA-8:Jim Moran(D)
VA-10:Frank Wolf(R)
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Page last updated: Nov 26, 2023