This bill restores the right for injured workers in Montana to choose their own treating physician for workers' compensation claims, allowing them to select a doctor before the insurance company designates one. The law requires insurers to honor a worker's choice of doctor if that doctor agrees to follow specific responsibilities like coordinating care and providing timely medical determinations. Workers may also be referred to managed care organizations or preferred provider networks by their insurer, but the bill clarifies that simply posting information about these networks in the workplace does not count as official written notice to the worker. The legislation also adjusts reimbursement rates for doctors, paying 110% of the standard fee schedule for insurer-designated physicians and 90% for providers referred by the treating physician, while maintaining 100% payment for care received before a physician is officially designated.
This bill enacts the Cosmetology Licensure Compact in Montana, allowing licensed cosmetologists to practice across multiple states with a single multistate license. The compact establishes a shared regulatory framework that includes mandatory criminal background checks for applicants and creates a data system to track license status and disciplinary actions among member states. It aims to support military families relocating by reducing licensing barriers while maintaining public safety standards through information sharing and cooperation between state licensing authorities. The legislation also grants rulemaking authority to the compact commission to define specific requirements and disqualifying events for multistate licensure.
This bill updates Montana laws to improve safety standards for amusement rides by requiring annual inspections from independent qualified inspectors and mandating that operators carry liability insurance. The legislation defines who qualifies as a qualified inspector, establishing them as either professional engineers or certified professionals from recognized industry organizations, and sets clear criteria for what constitutes a serious injury or illness. Operators must ensure rides meet specific ASTM international safety standards, maintain first-aid stations, and display signs outlining passenger and operator responsibilities. Passengers are also given clearer safety guidelines, including requirements to follow ride instructions and prohibitions against certain behaviors that could endanger themselves or others. The bill applies to any amusement ride operating in Montana for up to 30 days, covering both permanent installations and temporary attractions like those at fairs and carnivals.
This bill revises Montana's film tax credit program to expand incentives for media production companies operating in the state. It increases the total credit limit available, extends the program through 2045, and creates a new fee specifically for workforce training in the film industry. The legislation also introduces higher credits for hiring veterans and tribal members, establishes rules reserving credits for Montana-based businesses, and clarifies definitions around compensation and eligible production activities.
This bill updates Montana's apprenticeship requirements for electricians by allowing individuals to qualify for journeyman and residential electrician licenses through either state-approved programs or substantially equivalent training. It establishes specific experience thresholds, requiring 8,000 hours for journeyman electricians and 4,000 hours for residential electricians, while also recognizing union or trade association training programs as valid pathways. The legislation clarifies definitions of legal practical experience and electrical maintenance work, ensuring that experience gained outside of completed apprenticeships counts toward licensure. These changes directly affect current and aspiring electricians seeking professional licensure in Montana by providing more flexible qualification options.
This bill requires Montana state agencies to prioritize certain contractors when awarding contracts for human services, family services, and public assistance programs like housing and energy aid. The law establishes a scoring system that gives extra points to providers with proven experience in the specific geographic area, a longer history of service in the state, strong local partnerships, and a commitment to creating or maintaining in-state jobs. These provisions directly affect government departments responsible for distributing public assistance funds and the organizations competing for those contracts. The bill aims to support local businesses and community-based providers by ensuring they receive favorable consideration during the procurement process.
This bill amends Montana's unemployment insurance laws to allow non-professional employees of educational institutions to claim unemployment benefits under federal guidelines. It specifically changes how benefits are calculated for workers who are not in instructional, research, or principal administrative roles, removing restrictions that previously prevented them from receiving benefits during breaks between academic terms. The key provision ensures that if a non-professional employee is denied benefits due to a reasonable expectation of returning to work, they may receive retroactive payments if they were not offered employment for the next term. This change aligns state law with federal standards for non-professional staff while maintaining existing rules for professional academic and administrative employees.
This bill establishes a new program in Montana to help child care facilities recruit and keep qualified staff by providing financial support payments. Administered by the Department of Public Health and Human Services, the program allocates $59.9 million for each of the fiscal years 2025 and 2026 to eligible licensed day care centers, group day care homes, and family day care homes. Payments are distributed monthly based on the number of workers employed and can be used for wage supplements, benefits, signing bonuses, longevity bonuses, facility costs, equipment, professional development, and mental health support for children in family day care homes. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2025, and designates the funding as part of the ongoing base for future legislative sessions.
This bill updates Montana's workers' compensation laws to clarify how wages are defined, particularly regarding lodging and housing benefits. It requires the Department of Labor and Industry to annually revise administrative rules that set monetary values for lodging and housing when calculating wage equivalents for compensation purposes. The legislation also clarifies which income sources count as wages for benefits calculations and which expenses are excluded, such as retirement contributions and employee reimbursements. Additionally, it establishes specific methods for calculating average wages when employees have multiple jobs or work for less than four pay periods before an injury occurs.
This bill updates Montana workers' compensation laws to allow a court-appointed benefits custodian to receive payments on behalf of minors or individuals declared incompetent. It authorizes workers' compensation judges to appoint these custodians without requiring prior dispute resolution steps, ensuring vulnerable individuals can access their benefits through a designated representative. The legislation also clarifies that payments for highway patrol salary benefits must go directly to the department of justice until the member is no longer eligible. These changes aim to streamline the payment process for those unable to manage their own benefits while maintaining oversight through judicial appointment.
