Labor & Employment

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 24, 2025

LC 2096: Provide laws related to healthcare provider burnout

This bill establishes a legal framework for healthcare provider wellness programs in Montana by creating protections for those who participate in or manage programs addressing career fatigue and wellness among healthcare professionals. It grants civil immunity to committee members and consultants working on these wellness programs, prevents mandatory reporting of participants to licensing boards unless there is a genuine concern about competence or patient safety, and ensures that program records remain confidential and protected from discovery in civil cases. The legislation defines "healthcare providers" to include physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and students in related fields, while specifying that wellness programs must be run by statewide associations or tax-exempt organizations primarily representing healthcare providers. Additionally, the bill amends existing reporting laws to maintain the ability to report physicians who are medically incompetent or pose a danger to patients, even within the context of wellness initiatives.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects healthcare provider wellness programs and grants civil immunity, directly supporting provider mental health and preventing burnout.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill protects healthcare workers from burnout through wellness programs and civil immunity, strengthening workplace conditions and worker protections.85% confidence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 8, 2025

LC 942: Revising working retiree provisions under TRS

This bill updates Montana's Teachers' Retirement System rules to allow retired teachers, specialists, and administrators to return to full-time work without losing their retirement benefits. To qualify for reemployment, retired educators must have completed at least 30 years of service before retirement, hold a valid teaching certificate, and be hired only after their employer certifies they could not fill the position with a non-retired candidate. The bill also requires employers to continue contributing to the retirement system on behalf of reemployed retirees and exempts them from standard earnings limits that apply to active members. These changes are effective July 1, 2029, and will terminate on June 30, 2029.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands reemployment opportunities for retired educators without reducing benefits, strengthening labor flexibility and protecting worker rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 30, 2025

LC 1353: Revise workers' compensation laws relating to travel and reimbursement

This bill amends Montana's workers' compensation laws to clarify coverage rules for employees traveling for work. It establishes that an employee is covered for injuries sustained while traveling only if the employer provides transportation or reimburses travel costs like gas and lodging, or if the travel is required as part of job duties. The legislation also clarifies that simply receiving reimbursement does not automatically determine coverage status, and it maintains existing restrictions on benefits when alcohol or drug use is the major cause of an accident. Additionally, the bill preserves protections for employees using marijuana for qualifying medical conditions, ensuring they are not denied benefits solely due to such use.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill clarifies workers' compensation coverage for travel, protecting injured employees by establishing clearer eligibility criteria for work-related injuries during travel.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 24, 2025

LC 2949: Generally revise occupational licensing laws

This bill, titled the Expanding Physician Access Act, creates a new pathway for internationally trained physicians to obtain provisional medical licenses in Montana. It directly affects healthcare providers seeking to fill staffing gaps, particularly in rural and primary care areas, by allowing them to sponsor qualified international physicians for employment. The bill requires these physicians to have completed medical training, passed relevant licensing exams, and demonstrated English fluency, while maintaining existing safety and competency standards. After three years of continuous practice, provisional licenses automatically convert to full licenses, and the law ensures physicians cannot begin work without proper federal immigration authorization.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands access to healthcare by creating pathways for internationally trained physicians to fill staffing gaps, particularly in rural areas, directly improving patient access to medical services.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill creates pathway for internationally trained physicians to obtain licenses, supporting immigrant integration and access to healthcare services.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands employment opportunities for internationally trained physicians, addressing healthcare staffing gaps and supporting worker access to employment.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Primary Care Professional Licensing Tags Licensing

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 6, 2025

LC 216: Revise laws related to filing and participation in licensing complaint investigations

This bill makes it illegal for any contract to prevent someone from filing a complaint or cooperating with an investigation under Montana's licensing complaint laws. It also classifies retaliation against complainants and entering into prohibited contracts as unprofessional conduct for licensed professionals. The law applies to complaints filed under specific licensing statutes but does not affect general waivers of claims or rights that were already established before the bill takes effect.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill protects workers' rights by prohibiting contracts that prevent filing complaints or cooperating with investigations, and classifies retaliation as unprofessional conduct.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 7, 2025

LC 3548: Revising the duration of unemployment insurance benefits

This bill amends Montana's unemployment insurance law to adjust the maximum number of weeks eligible individuals can receive benefits based on their earnings ratio. Under the new provisions, the number of full weeks of benefits a person can claim will depend on how their total base period earnings compare to their highest quarter of earnings, ranging from 8 weeks for lower ratios up to 24 weeks for higher ratios. The changes apply to unemployment claims filed on or after July 1, 2025, and directly affect workers who file for unemployment benefits in Montana.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands unemployment insurance benefits by increasing maximum weeks based on earnings ratio, strengthening worker financial protection during unemployment.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 18, 2025

LC 3331: Revising pension laws related to service credit for legislative members

This bill amends Montana's pension laws to clarify how service credit is calculated for state legislators. It ensures that legislative members receive service credit starting from the date they assume office, based on the portion of each year they pay regular contributions. The bill also establishes that retirement benefit calculations will use the plan provisions applicable to the earliest period a member paid contributions, unless they have prior covered employment outside of the legislature. These changes take effect on July 1, 2025, and directly impact current and future members of the Montana Legislature regarding their retirement benefits.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill clarifies pension service credit for legislators, protecting retirement benefits and ensuring fair compensation for public service.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 25, 2025

LC 4143: Resolution to secure and strengthen social security and the social trust fund

This Montana joint resolution asks the U.S. Congress and federal government to increase Social Security funding to ensure benefits remain secure for at least 75 years without any cuts. The bill directly affects Montana residents who rely on Social Security for retirement, disability, survivor, and children's insurance benefits, representing over 250,000 people in the state. The resolution includes factual statements about Social Security's current funding status, noting that the trust fund has accumulated a surplus and that benefits have never been missed in 90 years of operation. It specifically requests federal action to address projected shortfalls by increasing funding rather than reducing benefits, while also distributing copies to federal officials and Montana's congressional delegation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill seeks to increase Social Security funding to protect benefits for 75 years, directly supporting fiscal management of essential government programs.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill seeks to secure and strengthen Social Security funding, directly protecting worker benefits and retirement security for over 250,000 Montana residents.85% confidence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 25, 2025

LC 120: Revise laws relating to wage transparency

This bill, known as the Wage Opportunity and Transparency Act, prohibits employers in Montana from discriminating in pay based on sex or gender identity for substantially similar work, while also banning employers from asking applicants about their salary history. It allows wage differences only when justified by factors like seniority, merit, production measures, location, or education, and forbids retaliation against employees who discuss or disclose their wages. The law enables employees to file complaints with the state commissioner or pursue civil action in court, with potential remedies including back pay for up to three years. Employers must also avoid requiring employees to sign agreements that prevent them from sharing wage information.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill protects workers' rights by prohibiting pay discrimination, banning salary history questions, and preventing wage retaliation, directly advancing labor and employment protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 13, 2025

LC 383: Revising disability retirement provisions for MPORS and FURS

This bill updates disability retirement rules for police officers and firefighters in Montana's Municipal Police Officers' Retirement System and Firefighters' Unified Retirement System. It clarifies how disability benefits are calculated based on years of service and whether the disability occurred in the line of duty, while also requiring employers to document workplace accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The legislation establishes specific procedures for applying for disability retirement, including medical examinations and benefit conversions when members reach normal retirement age. These changes will take effect on January 1, 2026, and apply to both defined benefit plans and line-of-duty disability provisions.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands disability retirement benefits for public safety workers and requires workplace accommodation documentation under ADA, strengthening worker protections and benefits.75% confidence

Tags People with Disabilities

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