Top Montana health officials made their pitch to legislators this week for a new behavioral health facility in the eastern part of the state, an attempt to right the ship after what’s been a rocky rollout that’s left many searching for clarity.

Charlie Brereton, director of the Department of Public Health and Human Services, told legislators Tuesday at an interim committee meeting that his team is focused on a 32-bed forensic facility for criminal defendants in need of psychiatric treatment and eyeing Billings or Laurel as the future home of the site, but “no decisions have been made.”

It was the first time lawmakers had the chance to weigh in publicly on plans for the much-needed mental health facility that’s expected to resemble the role of the Montana State Hospital in Warm Springs. W

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