This bill establishes a formal licensing and regulatory system for community health workers in Montana, requiring them to meet specific education, training, and experience standards before practicing. The Department of Labor and Industry will oversee the program, setting rules for qualifications, supervision requirements, and license fees while allowing exemptions for those with equivalent training or experience. The legislation also authorizes the Department of Public Health and Human Services to reimburse community health workers for services provided to patients. Additionally, the bill amends existing state law to include community health workers in the uniform licensing framework used for other regulated professions.
This bill removes the expiration date on Montana's requirement for reporting and disclosing violence against healthcare employees. It directly affects healthcare facilities and staff who must document incidents of violence in the workplace. The key provision repeals Section 4 of Chapter 516 from the 2023 laws, which previously set a sunset date for these reporting rules. As a result, the mandate for tracking and disclosing violence against healthcare workers continues indefinitely without a set end date.
This bill requires all state-owned buildings in Montana to install automatic fire sprinkler or fire suppression systems. It achieves this by amending the state building code to mandate that any building owned or operated by the state must have these fire safety systems in place. The legislation directly affects state agencies and facilities that construct, renovate, or maintain state buildings. The bill does not apply to private buildings, single-family homes, or small residential buildings with two or fewer units.
This bill requires Montana licensing boards to grant professional licenses to individuals who complete nationally recognized apprenticeship programs in specific occupations, including barbering, nursing, plumbing, and electrical work. The legislation mandates that apprenticeship applicants meet the same examination and fee requirements as those who complete traditional educational programs before seeking licensure. It authorizes relevant state boards to create rules for implementing these apprenticeship pathways and explicitly lists the professional categories eligible for this alternative training route. The law applies to over 20 different license types across multiple state boards, allowing hands-on training as a valid alternative to classroom-based education for these professions.
This bill modifies Montana's resort tax laws to allow an additional 1% tax rate on lodging and dining in designated resort areas, with the revenue specifically designated for infrastructure projects or workforce housing. The legislation defines workforce housing as rental properties where at least 20% of units are rent-restricted to households earning between 60% and 120% of the area median income. It also updates definitions for resort areas and communities, adjusting population thresholds and clarifying what qualifies as taxable goods and services versus exempt necessities. Local governments in resort communities and areas must still obtain voter approval before implementing or changing resort taxes, maintaining the existing requirement for public consent.
This bill would allow first responders in Montana, including firefighters, law enforcement officers, and correctional facility employees, to receive workers' compensation benefits for posttraumatic stress disorder if it is diagnosed according to the American Psychiatric Association's standards and linked to their job duties. The legislation amends existing state workers' compensation laws to create a specific pathway for these claims while maintaining the requirement that the mental health condition must arise from the scope of employment. By defining "first responder" and establishing diagnostic criteria, the bill aims to provide wage-loss and medical benefits to workers who develop PTSD due to their emergency response work.
This bill updates Montana state law to clarify how meal allowances are calculated for employees working night shifts. It directly affects state employees who travel for work and changes the specific time windows during which they can receive meal reimbursements based on their shift schedule. Under the new rules, night-shift workers would be eligible for different meal allowance periods, including an early morning allowance between 3:01 a.m. and noon, while also limiting the number of allowances they can receive based on the length and timing of their travel. The legislation also maintains special provisions for appointed members of state boards and committees attending meetings, while excluding legislative committee members during active sessions.
This bill updates Montana's alcohol training requirements by mandating that all server and sales training programs cover specific topics such as alcohol effects, legal penalties, ID checking procedures, and handling intoxicated patrons. It creates two separate training categories based on whether a workplace allows on-premises or only off-premises alcohol consumption. The bill requires that training for off-premises-only locations be completed in at least half the time needed for on-premises locations. These changes directly affect businesses that sell alcohol and the employees who work at those licensed locations.
This bill raises Montana's minimum wage to $12.06 per hour and establishes a cost-of-living adjustment mechanism that automatically updates the rate annually based on changes in the consumer price index. The law applies to most employers but maintains a $4 minimum wage for businesses with annual gross sales of $110,000 or less. The new wage rate and automatic adjustment provisions take effect on July 1, 2025, replacing the previous fixed dollar amount in state law.
This bill amends Montana's workers' compensation law to officially recognize physical therapists as treating physicians within the state's workers' compensation system. The change directly affects injured workers, employers, and insurance providers by expanding the definition of who can provide medical care under the program. By updating the legal definition of "treating physician" in the relevant statute, the bill allows physical therapists to perform the same duties and receive the same recognition as physicians when treating work-related injuries. This change aims to streamline care options for injured workers while maintaining the existing framework for medical treatment and benefits.
