Archives West Finding Aid

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.

In 1937, the Montana Legislature established the Department of Public Welfare, which consolidated state welfare activities. The Department was responsible for the administration of all forms of public assistance, including general relief programs and supervision of institutions caring for the dependent, delinquent, or mentally or physically handicapped. 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.

As of 2025, the Food and Consumer Safety Bureau, now named the Environmental Health and Food Safety Section, operates within the Communicable Disease Control and Prevention Bureau, which itself operates under the Public Health and Safety Division of the Department of Public Health and Human Services.

Collection Specific Historical Note

In 1979, a transformer, belonging to the Pierce Packing Company in Billings, M.T. filled with cooling fluids containing Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB), ruptured. This resulted in an estimated 200 gallons of toxic chemicals being released that eventually contaminated approximately 1.9 million pounds of the meat meal used for animal feed.