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In 1901, Montana’s Seventh Legislative Assembly created the Montana State Board of Health. The Board was responsible for sanitation as well as investigations regarding diseases, epidemics, mortality, and other health-related concerns. In 1967, with the creation of the State Department of Health, the State Board of Health was given the additional duty of overseeing the new Department. The State Board of Health continued in an advisory capacity, but the day-to-day administration of the state laws regarding public health and related matters were relegated to the new Department. The State Board of Health became the Department of Health and Environmental Sciences (DHES) in 1971 with the passage of Governor Anderson’s Executive Reorganization Order 9-71.

The Montana Legislature established the Department of Public Welfare in 1937, consolidating all welfare activities within the department and abolishing all other government bodies which formerly handled these activities including: the Montana Relief Commission, which had operated from 1933 to 1937; the Montana Old Age Pension Commission; the Montana Orthopedic Commission; the Child Welfare Division of the Board of Health; the State Bureau of Child and Animal Protection; and the State Board of Charities and Reform.

The Department of Public Welfare was responsible for the administration and supervision of all forms of public assistance including general relief, old age assistance, aid to dependent children, all child welfare activities, and the supervision of agencies and institutions caring for dependent, delinquent, or mentally or physically handicapped children or adults. The Department was also responsible for developing provisions for service to the visually impaired, provide services to county governments in respect to organization and supervision of county welfare departments, and act as the agent of the federal government in carrying out state and federal social security laws and the administration of federal funds. In 1941, the Department was given the responsibility to aid to silicosis patients; this duty was later transferred to the Industrial Accident Board in 1961. The Department was administered by a five-member State Board of Public Welfare appointed by the governor, and a state administrator appointed by the Board.

In 1971, with the state reorganization, the Department of Public Welfare was abolished, and its functions were assumed by the newly created Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS). The SRS assumed the functions of various state agencies, including functions pertaining to vocational rehabilitation and education; the Commission on Aging; and the Council on Human Resources. The SRS administered all forms of public assistance, child protection, and child welfare; gave consultant service to private institutions providing care for the needy, indigent, handicapped, or dependent; developed provisions for services to the blind; supervised county boards of public welfare; and administered all funds allotted for public welfare activities.

In 1995, following another State government reorganization, SRS combined with portions of the Department of Health and Environmental Sciences (DHES) to form the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). The Environmental Sciences Division was split from DHES to become the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Additionally, in 1992, the Department of Institutions was renamed the Department of Corrections and Human Services. In 1995, the Department was reorganized, with some duties and Divisions remaining with Corrections, while others were transferred to the newly created Department of Public Health and Human Services, including oversight of the Montana State Hospital at Warm Springs.