HB 254 Montana House · 2025 Regular Session

Eliminate fingerprint background check requirements for professional employer organization

HB 254 eliminates the requirement for applicants seeking licensure as professional employer organizations or groups in Montana, along with their controlling persons, to submit fingerprints for criminal background checks. Previously, these individuals were required to undergo fingerprint checks by the Montana Department of Justice and the federal bureau of investigation as a prerequisite for licensure. While removing the specific fingerprinting mandate, the bill still requires applicants to provide detailed background information and demonstrate good moral character, business integrity, and financial responsibility to the department.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
Apr 2025
Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Signed Apr 17, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB0254_1(7).pdf HB0254_X.pdf · 6 edits
MODERATE
This bill amends Montana's Professional Employer Organization (PEO) licensing requirements by eliminating fingerprint background check submissions and fingerprint card retention, while maintaining criminal background check reporting. The bill also clarifies applicant standards for partnerships, corporations, and LLCs, and establishes financial net worth requirements for unrestricted licenses.
Scope change
The bill applies to all PEO and group applicants seeking licensure in Montana, with specific requirements varying by entity type (individual, partnership, corporation, LLC, or group).
REQUIREMENT

Eliminated the requirement for applicants and controlling persons to submit fingerprint cards to the department of justice, though criminal background checks remain required.

Changed fingerprint card handling so the department of justice must promptly destroy fingerprint cards after receiving criminal background check reports.

Added specific standards for different entity types including requirements for partnerships to provide partner information and partnership agreements, and for corporations/LLCs to list officers, directors, shareholders, and owners with 5%+ interest.

Established a $50,000 tangible accounting net worth requirement for unrestricted PEO licenses, evidenced by independently audited financial statements.

Added requirements for groups to guarantee payment of financial obligations for all member organizations within the group.

Set application fees at $750 for unrestricted licenses and $500 for restricted licenses.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 31, 2025 · House Feb 5, 2025

How they voted

3416
Passed
Total votes 50
Mar 31, 2025
D Democratic18
14 Yea 4 Nay
77% Yea
R Republican32
20 Yea 12 Nay
62% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
45
Key actions
9
Committee
6
Apr 16, 2025
Signed into law
(H) Signed by Governor
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Signed by President
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Signed by Speaker
lower
Mar 31, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (34-16)
senate
Mar 20, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Report - (S) Business, Labor and Economic Affairs
upper
Mar 20, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Business, Labor and Economic Affairs
upper
Feb 20, 2025
Committee
(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Business, Labor and Economic Affairs
upper
Feb 5, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (100-0)
house
Jan 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Report - (H) Business and Labor
lower
Jan 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Business and Labor
lower
Jan 20, 2025
Committee
(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Business and Labor
lower
Jan 17, 2025
Introduced
(H) Introduced
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Melissa Nikolakakos
Melissa Nikolakakos
RRepublican
MT
20