Labor & Employment

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 29, 2025

LC 2786: Generally revise TRS laws on when retired teachers can return to work after retirement

This bill revises Montana's Teachers' Retirement System rules regarding when retired teachers can return to work, extending the required break-in-service period from 120 to 150 calendar days for those retiring after January 1, 2024. The law applies to retired teachers who wish to be re-employed in positions reportable to the retirement system and clarifies that this waiting period includes various work arrangements like independent contracting or temporary service. Retired teachers may still work as substitutes for temporarily absent teachers or mentor new teachers for up to 45 days during the break-in-service period without penalty, provided they meet specific conditions. The bill also outlines penalties for violations, including repayment of retirement benefits with interest and restoration to active member status, and sets the new rules to take effect on July 1, 2025, with provisions expiring on June 30, 2029.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill restricts retired teachers' ability to return to work by extending the break-in-service period, limiting employment flexibility and potential income opportunities for educators.85% confidence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 29, 2025

LC 1775: Establish the child care workforce recruitment and retention support payment program

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $59.9M annually to fund child care workforce recruitment and retention, directly increasing state spending on essential public services.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $59.9M annually to child care workforce recruitment and retention, supporting early childhood health services and public health programs through staffing improvements.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides $59.9M annually to child care facilities for wage supplements and staff retention, directly strengthening worker compensation and employment stability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 10, 2025

LC 664: Revising laws related to workers' compensation definition of wages

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.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill clarifies and updates workers' compensation wage definitions, protecting worker benefits and ensuring fair compensation calculations for injured employees.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Workers' Compensation

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 20, 2025

LC 4370: Revise human rights laws to prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion programs

This bill would prohibit state and local government agencies in Montana from funding, establishing, or supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. It specifically bans spending public money on such initiatives, requires employees to participate in them, or creates offices dedicated to coordinating these programs. The legislation defines diversity, equity, and inclusion programs narrowly as those requiring employee participation in training or activities focused on power structures, privilege, or specific social theories related to race, gender, and identity. The bill includes exceptions for programs required by federal law, court orders, or certain constitutional educational goals, while allowing agencies to continue offering sexual harassment training and compliance offices.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts DEI programs which often support diversity in law enforcement and improve accountability, limiting criminal justice reform efforts.90% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts funding for DEI programs in education, limiting school initiatives focused on equity and inclusion.85% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill restricts DEI programs which support workplace equity and inclusion, limiting protections for diverse workers and reducing workplace standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 15, 2025

LC 2784: Revise laws regarding receipt of workers' compensation benefits on behalf of others

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.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill strengthens workers' compensation protections for vulnerable individuals by allowing court-appointed custodians to receive benefits on behalf of minors or incompetent persons, ensuring they can access their earned benefits.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 12, 2025

LC 1835: Creating family and medical leave act

This bill establishes Montana's Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act, creating a state-run insurance fund that provides paid leave for eligible employees and self-employed individuals to care for family members with health conditions, bond with new children, or address military family needs. The program requires contributions from covered employers and employees, with benefits contingent on sufficient fund solvency and determined by the Commissioner of Labor and Industry. Eligible workers must have earned qualifying wages and paid contributions into the fund, while the law also protects job rights and health information privacy for those using benefits. The legislation amends existing Montana code sections and includes provisions for public outreach and notifications about the new program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes paid family and medical leave to care for family members with health conditions, improving access to healthcare support and protecting workers' health needs.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes paid family and medical leave insurance, expanding worker benefits and protecting employee rights in Montana.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill includes specific provision for military family needs, providing paid leave for veterans' family care requirements75% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Military Families

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Nov 22, 2024

LC 227: Reinstating former employer contributions for JRS, HPORS, SRS, GWPORS

This bill reinstates former employer contribution rates for four specific Montana retirement systems: the Judges' Retirement System, Highway Patrol Officers' Retirement System, Sheriffs' Retirement System, and Game Wardens and Peace Officers' Retirement System. It directly affects state agencies and employees participating in these retirement plans by restoring their previous funding levels. The legislation amends multiple sections of the Montana Code Annotated to authorize these contributions and includes provisions for necessary appropriations to fund the changes. The bill also establishes an effective date and a retroactive applicability date for the reinstated contribution rates.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill reinstates employer contributions to retirement systems, strengthening funding for public officers and employees, which aligns with supporting government spending and fiscal management for essential personnel.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill restores employer contributions to retirement systems, directly strengthening employee benefits and financial security for public workers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions Retirement Benefits

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 17, 2025

LC 1908: Allow interest earned on workforce housing appropriations to be retained

This bill allows Montana to keep any interest or income earned on $12 million in workforce housing funds instead of returning it to the general fund. The money is designated for building or buying housing for state employees who work at facilities housing inmates or behavioral health patients in smaller counties. Key provisions include using funds to lower construction costs, provide matching loans, discount housing prices for eligible workers, or purchase housing that will be privately owned within ten years. The change applies retroactively to interest earned since June 14, 2023, and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allows retention of interest on workforce housing funds, increasing available resources for essential housing programs without returning money to general fund, promoting fiscal efficiency.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allows retention of interest on workforce housing funds to expand affordable housing for state employees, directly funding housing development and increasing housing availability.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides workforce housing for state employees, addressing housing needs of workers in specific facilities, which supports worker benefits and employment conditions.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 29, 2025

LC 2679: Generally revise pension laws related to the Volunteer Firefighters' Compensation Act

This bill amends Montana's Volunteer Firefighters' Compensation Act to increase monthly pension benefits for eligible volunteer firefighters. Under the new provisions, the full pension benefit rises from $175 to $200 per month, and firefighters with more than 20 years of service receive an additional $7.50 for each year beyond that threshold, up to 30 years. For those with 30 or more years of service, further increases of $7.50 per additional year apply only if the pension trust fund remains actuarially sound and unfunded liabilities are amortized within 20 years. The changes take effect on July 1, 2025, and only apply to members who retire after July 1, 2011.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill increases pension benefits for volunteer firefighters, expanding worker benefits and protecting their retirement security.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits

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vetoed · Montana · House Jun 16, 2025

HB 901: Create a fire department health and safety grant program

This bill establishes a state grant program to help Montana fire departments purchase safety equipment and improve health and safety conditions for firefighters. The program allows eligible fire departments, companies, or districts to apply for up to $10,000 in grants for items such as personal protective equipment, saunas, shower facilities, and cleaning devices for gear. Funding comes from charitable donations and a $10 nonrefundable application fee paid by each applicant, with priority given to departments with smaller budgets, those in rural areas, and those serving diverse regions of the state. The bill also authorizes the state disaster and emergency services division to administer the program and adopt rules to implement it.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides grants to improve firefighter safety equipment and health conditions, directly supporting workplace safety and worker protection.85% confidence

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