HB 621 allows local first responder entities, including police departments, sheriff's offices, fire departments, and emergency medical service providers, to establish peer support programs. These programs must have a written policy that outlines qualifications for peer supporters, defines peer support sessions, and ensures confidentiality for participants. The bill prohibits qualified peer supporters from testifying about the content of peer support sessions, with exceptions if an employee has committed or plans a crime, or indicates intent to harm themselves or others.
This bill creates a Montana grant program to fund fire department health and safety equipment. It establishes a special account funded by charitable donations and a $10 application fee, allowing fire departments (created under Title 7, Chapter 33) to apply for grants. Grants can cover up to $10,000 per department annually for items like personal protective equipment, saunas, and shower facilities, with priority given to rural departments and those with smaller budgets. Applications require an itemized list of requested equipment, and the program is administered by the Department of Military Affairs' disaster services division.
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Public Safety
HB 360 proposed establishing the Child Care Workforce Recruitment and Retention Support Payment Program, administered by the Department of Public Health and Human Services. This program would have provided monthly payments to eligible child-care facilities, including licensed day-care centers and registered family or group day-care homes, based on their number of child-care workers. The funds were intended to help these facilities recruit and retain qualified child-care workers. Day-care centers and group homes could use the money for personnel costs like wage supplements and bonuses, while family day-care homes also had options for facility costs, equipment, professional development, and mental health support for children. The bill included an appropriation of $59.9 million annually from the general fund for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
This bill (LC 2994) proposed gradually eliminating the state's social security tax. It would have directly affected wage earners and employers subject to this tax, though the bill never became law. The draft was assigned in December 2024, placed on hold in February 2025, and ultimately died in the legislative process in May 2025. No concrete policy changes were enacted under this proposal.
This bill aimed to revise existing incentives under the TEACH Act to raise starting salaries for new teachers in public schools. It proposed modifying current funding mechanisms to provide increased financial support for school districts hiring entry-level educators. The bill did not advance beyond the drafting stage and was formally marked "Draft Died in Process" on May 24, 2025. As a result, no policy changes were implemented.
SB 331 requires all state-owned or state-operated buildings in Montana to install automatic fire sprinkler systems or equivalent fire suppression systems. This bill amends the state building code to mandate this safety feature for government buildings, including offices, schools, and facilities managed by state agencies. The key provision adds a specific requirement to the building code rules, ensuring all state buildings meet this fire safety standard. It directly affects every Montana state building, enhancing fire protection without applying to private or non-state properties.
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.
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.
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.
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Public Safety
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.
