Labor & Employment

died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 3676: Revise public retirement systems to include emergency medical services (EMS)

This bill (LC 3676) proposed revising public retirement systems to include emergency medical services (EMS) personnel as eligible for retirement benefits. It would have directly affected EMS workers employed by public agencies by expanding their access to retirement coverage previously available to other public employees. The bill aimed to establish specific provisions within retirement systems to accommodate EMS roles but did not advance beyond the drafting stage. The bill was officially withdrawn ("Draft Died in Process") on May 23, 2025, and no policy changes were enacted.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly expands retirement benefits for EMS workers, advancing worker benefits under employment standards by including a new public employee category in retirement coverage.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits Tags Public Safety

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 273: Provide for limitations on collection of medical debt

HB 273, the "Montana Medical Debt Patient Protection Act," aimed to limit how health care providers and third-party collectors pursue medical debt from patients in Montana. The bill would have prohibited certain collection actions, including wage garnishment, placing liens on a patient's primary residence, and reporting adverse information to credit agencies. It also mandated a 180-day waiting period after the first bill before "extraordinary collection actions," such as filing lawsuits or selling debt, could begin, along with requiring a 30-day notice to the patient. Additionally, it sought to provide patients with an opportunity to appeal insurance decisions before a bill went to collections.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patients from aggressive debt collection (wage garnishment, liens, credit reporting), directly improving healthcare access and patient rights as a core healthcare policy indicator.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits wage garnishment for medical debt, protecting workers' earnings from debt collection actions that directly impact income.95% confidence

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 640: Revising membership in FURS to include airport authority public safety employees

HB 640 would revise the Firefighters' Unified Retirement System (FURS) to allow certain airport authority employees to participate. The bill defines "public safety officer" as an airport authority employee who serves as both a full-paid firefighter and a sworn peace officer. It would permit airport authorities to elect to join FURS for these public safety officers, who are currently covered by the Public Employees' Retirement System. Existing eligible employees would have 90 days to choose whether to remain in PERS or join FURS.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands retirement benefits access for airport public safety officers by enabling FURS enrollment, directly advancing employment standards for covered workers.90% confidence

Tags Public Safety

Track

died · Montana · Legislature May 20, 2025

LC 3092: Interim study of the Montana State Fund safety program

This joint resolution requests an interim study of Montana's State Fund safety program to examine how funds are spent (including advertising, training, and travel) and investigate why Montana has high workplace death rates. The study, to be conducted by a designated committee working with the State Fund, labor, business, and government stakeholders, will analyze safety program effectiveness. It aims to identify best practices for preventing injuries and improving workplace safety, with findings due to the 70th Legislature by September 2026. The resolution does not change current law but seeks data to inform future policy decisions.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill requests study to examine safety program spending and high workplace death rates, aiming to identify best practices for improving workplace safety, a core labor & employment concern.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Workplace Safety

Track

died · Montana · Legislature May 22, 2025

LC 2217: Provide for in-demand skilled trades investment pilot program

Bill LC 2217 proposed a pilot program to provide state funding for training and apprenticeships in high-demand skilled trades, such as construction and manufacturing, targeting workers facing labor shortages. The bill would have allocated resources to support workforce development initiatives directly benefiting workers seeking career opportunities and employers needing qualified staff. However, the bill was assigned to a drafter in December 2024 but died in the legislative process on May 22, 2025, without becoming law.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill allocates state funding for skilled trades training/apprenticeships, directly supporting workers' career opportunities and addressing labor shortages in high-demand sectors.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Workforce Development

Track

died · Montana · Legislature May 20, 2025

LC 1055: Revise whistleblower laws

This bill revises Montana's whistleblower protection laws by changing the burden of proof in retaliation claims. If an employee establishes a prima facie case of retaliation (e.g., for reporting workplace violations), the employer must prove by a preponderance of evidence that their action would have occurred regardless of the protected activity. In "mixed motive" cases - where retaliation occurred but the employer shows the action would have happened anyway - the employer may still recover damages. The changes apply to private-sector employees under Section 49-2-301 and public employees under Sections 39-2-904 and 49-3-209, directly affecting employees reporting violations and employers facing retaliation claims.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentShifts burden of proof to employers in retaliation claims, strengthening worker protections against retaliation for reporting workplace violations.90% confidence

Track

died · Montana · Legislature May 22, 2025

LC 134: Allow for firefighter hazard pay

LC 134, titled "Allow for firefighter hazard pay," was a legislative concept designed to provide additional compensation to firefighters. This bill aimed to establish a mechanism through which firefighters could receive extra pay, acknowledging the hazardous conditions inherent in their profession. It would have directly affected firefighters by offering them increased financial recognition for their dangerous work.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new state budget allocation for firefighter hazard pay under appropriations, directly increasing public employee compensation funding.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides hazard pay for firefighters facing dangerous conditions, directly advancing workplace safety and fair compensation standards for high-risk public employees.95% confidence

Track

died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 3815: Revise nurse ration and mandatory breaks

LC 3815 aimed to update nurse-to-patient staffing ratios and mandate specific break requirements for healthcare facilities. The bill sought to establish clearer standards for nurse workloads and scheduled rest periods to improve patient safety and staff well-being. However, the bill died in the drafting process on May 23, 2025, and never advanced to a committee vote or floor consideration. As a result, no policy changes were enacted through this legislation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aimed to improve patient safety and staff well-being through updated nurse staffing ratios and mandatory breaks, aligning with healthcare support indicators like enhanced service standards.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates nurse breaks and staffing ratios to protect worker well-being and safety, directly advancing labor protections in healthcare workplaces.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

Track

died · Montana · Legislature May 26, 2025

LC 1411: Add caseload caps for public employees

This bill (LC 1411) proposed establishing caseload limits for certain public employees, though the specific roles or agencies affected are not detailed in the provided context. The bill was drafted but placed on hold in February 2025 and ultimately died in the legislative process on May 26, 2025. No concrete provisions or mechanisms were enacted, as the bill never advanced to a vote or committee review. Since it was not passed, no policy changes were implemented. The title alone does not specify which public services or employee types would have been subject to these caps.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill proposes caseload limits for public employees, directly reducing excessive workloads to improve working conditions and workplace safety standards for workers.85% confidence

Track

died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 1820: Generally revise laws related to disability accommodations

This bill (LC 1820) was a draft proposal to revise laws concerning disability accommodations, but it did not advance beyond the drafting stage. The bill's title suggests it aimed to update regulations related to accessibility for people with disabilities, though specific provisions were never finalized or introduced. It was assigned to a drafter in 2024, placed on hold in February 2025, and ultimately "died in process" by May 2025 without becoming law. No concrete policy changes were enacted, as the bill never progressed to committee review or a vote.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill aimed to revise disability accommodations in health care services (subject line), intended to improve accessibility for people with disabilities in healthcare, thus supporting access.80% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill proposes updating disability accommodation laws, directly protecting workers' rights and workplace accessibility under labor & employment. Intent clear from title/summary, though bill died in process.90% confidence

Tags People with Disabilities

Track