Labor & Employment

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

died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 2925: Limit remote work for state employees

This bill (LC 2925) proposed requiring most state employees to work at least three days per week in an office location, limiting their ability to work remotely. It would have directly affected all state employees whose positions were not explicitly exempted. The key provision mandated a minimum in-office work requirement, overriding existing remote work policies for affected roles. However, the bill died in the legislative process on May 27, 2025, and never became law.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentRestricts remote work flexibility for state employees, overriding existing policies and limiting workplace arrangement options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Employees

Track

died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 2651: Make election day a state holiday

This bill (LC 2651) proposed designating Election Day as a paid state holiday for government employees. It would have required state agencies to close and provided state workers with a paid day off on Election Day. The bill was drafted but never advanced beyond the drafting stage, dying in process in May 2025 without becoming law. It did not affect private businesses or voters directly, only state employees and operations.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides paid holiday for state employees, expanding worker benefits and protecting time off rights for government workers.90% confidence

Tags Elections

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 749: Revise procurement laws to provide priority criteria for certain public assistance and human services contractors

HB 749 proposed to revise the procurement process for state contracts related to public assistance and human services programs. It would have required applicable state departments to use a scoring system that gives priority to contractors based on specific criteria. These criteria included a provider's demonstrated experience within the service area, their length of time operating in the state, their ability to leverage existing relationships, and the number of in-state jobs they propose to create or maintain. This bill aimed to influence how contracts for services such as housing and energy assistance are awarded.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill prioritizes contractors proposing more in-state jobs, directly advancing employment creation within labor/employment policy framework.85% confidence

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 779: Revise discrimination laws

HB 779 aimed to revise discrimination laws by adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of "antisemitism." It would have required the Department of Labor and Industry to consider this definition when reviewing discrimination complaints. Additionally, the bill proposed that this definition be considered for sentence enhancement in cases where offenses are committed due to a victim's race, religion, or national origin. It also would have explicitly recognized antisemitism, as defined by the IHRA, as a form of discrimination under the state's civil rights laws.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill requires Department of Labor to use IHRA definition in discrimination complaint reviews, strengthening protections against religious discrimination in workplace contexts.90% confidence

Track