Labor & Employment

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 345: Revise workers' compensation laws relating to evidentiary standards

SB 345 would change how medical evidence is evaluated in Montana workers' compensation cases. It removes automatic preference for treating physicians' opinions, requiring courts to weigh medical testimony based on the provider's qualifications, experience with the specific worker, and credibility. The bill also limits discovery about independent medical examiners (IMEs) to their training, exam volume, and payments from insurers, aiming to reduce bias concerns. These changes directly affect workers seeking compensation, insurers requesting medical evaluations, and medical providers involved in these cases. The bill was introduced in 2025 but died in committee before becoming law.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentRemoves automatic preference for treating physicians' opinions in workers' comp cases, potentially making it harder for workers to prove claims and weakening their protections under compensation laws.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

Track

died · Montana · Legislature May 24, 2025

LC 1252: Generally revise laws related to illegal undocumented alien employment

This bill (LC 1252) proposed revisions to state laws concerning employment of undocumented immigrants. It did not become law, as it died in the legislative process on May 24, 2025, after being drafted but not advanced further. The bill's title indicates it aimed to change regulations around unauthorized employment, but no specific provisions or affected groups were detailed in the provided context. Since it never passed, it did not implement any policy changes.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill title targets 'illegal undocumented alien employment' with no pro-immigrant indicators, implying restrictive enforcement on undocumented worker access.80% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill targets restrictions on undocumented workers' employment, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of limiting employment access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics DACA & Dreamers Driver Licenses & IDs Work Authorization Child Labor Gig Economy Labor Standards

Track

died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 2923: Expand work hours for minors

This bill (LC 2923) aimed to increase maximum work hours for minors under current labor laws. It would have directly affected minor workers (typically under 18) and their employers by relaxing existing hour restrictions. The bill was drafted but never advanced beyond the initial stages, as it was placed on hold and later died in the legislative process. No specific hour limits or exceptions were detailed in the provided context. The bill did not become law.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentExpands minor work hours, weakening current labor protections for minors under employment standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Child Labor Labor Standards Minimum Wage

Track

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 376: Establish a right to work act

SB 376, the "Worker Freedom Act," prohibits employers from requiring employees to join a union or pay dues as a condition of employment. It mandates written employee authorization for union dues deductions (with 30-day revocation rights), requires employers to post a notice about union choice rights, and imposes fines for violations. The bill directly affects all Montana employees, except federal workers, railroad employees, and those under federal labor law. It amended Montana law to align with these protections but died in committee in May 2025 without becoming law.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentProhibits mandatory union dues/membership, directly weakening collective bargaining protections under Labor & Employment policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

Track

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 94: Generally revise public sector unions law

SB 94 prohibits Montana public employers from using public funds or resources for labor organization activities, directly affecting public sector workers like teachers and school staff. It bans contributions of public money to unions or paid leave for union work, but allows unpaid time off for such activities and permits using accrued personal leave under specific conditions. The bill requires unions to cover costs for paid leave used in union activities through annual invoices to public employers and mandates reporting on time spent on union-related work. These changes aim to limit public funding for union operations while establishing clear administrative procedures.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts public funding for teacher unions, limiting their ability to advocate for educator benefits and resources, directly impacting K-12 education support.85% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentProhibits public funds for union activities, requiring unions to cover costs, weakening collective bargaining support for public sector workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Paid Leave

Track

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 277: Revise laws for payroll deduction of union dues and political contributions by public employers

SB 277 would have prohibited Montana public employers from deducting union dues, fees, or political contributions from public employees' paychecks or assisting in collecting these payments. It directly affects public employees, labor organizations, and political committees by eliminating payroll deduction as a method for these payments. The bill would have made it an "unfair labor practice" for public employers to handle such deductions or for labor organizations to request them. This policy change would have shifted responsibility for collecting dues and contributions entirely to employees and organizations, removing public employers from the process.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill prohibits public employers from deducting union dues, weakening collective bargaining by restricting a key union funding method and making it an 'unfair labor practice' to handle such deductions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

Track