HB 367 revises Montana's workers' compensation laws, specifically clarifying coverage for employees injured while traveling for work. The bill states that an employer furnishing transportation or reimbursing travel expenses is not the sole factor in determining workers' compensation coverage during travel. Instead, an employee is covered if the travel is necessitated by and on behalf of the employer as an integral part of employment, or if the travel is required by the employer as part of job duties. It also clarifies that certain incentive payments are not considered travel reimbursements for coverage purposes.
SJ 26 is a joint resolution from the Montana Legislature urging the United States Congress to pass a federal law. This proposed federal law would prohibit members of the U.S. Congress and their immediate families from trading individual stocks. The resolution directs the Montana Secretary of State to send copies to federal leaders and the Montana Congressional Delegation.
HB 509 expands Montana's educator loan forgiveness program to cover all newly hired public school teachers in the state, with priority given to those hired in schools designated as "impacted" (where critical teacher shortages exist). It allows eligible teachers to receive up to $5,000 annually in loan repayment assistance over four years ($3,000-$5,000 per year for state-funded aid, plus an additional $5,000 from schools/districts). If funding falls short, the program prioritizes teachers in impacted schools and prorates payments proportionally among them. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to applications submitted on or after that date.
HB 531 establishes that the state legislature holds the sole authority to create, enforce, interpret, and manage the rules governing its own proceedings. It prohibits judicial officers from reviewing or interpreting these legislative rules. An exception is made, allowing for judicial review if a legislative rule potentially conflicts with the Montana Constitution or the United States Constitution. The bill defines "judicial officer" and became effective immediately upon passage and approval.
HB 471 revises education laws concerning human sexuality and identity instruction in public schools, impacting students, parents, and school districts. The bill requires written parental or guardian permission for a child to attend "identity instruction" and allows parents to withdraw their child from "human sexuality instruction" as an excused absence. It mandates that schools provide advance notice to parents about these instructions and make all related curriculum materials publicly available for inspection. Additionally, the bill prohibits entities that provide abortion services from offering or furnishing materials for human sexuality or sexually transmitted disease instruction to students or personnel.
HB 102 revises the laws governing the Office of State Public Defender, affecting its organizational structure and operations. It establishes a distinction between "conflict" and "nonconflict" regional public defender offices and updates the duties of various division administrators. Key provisions include new responsibilities for administrators in developing strategic plans, managing caseloads, and establishing policies for assigning cases based on experience and complexity, including capital cases. The bill also modifies the Central Services Division's role to include managing contracted services and agency training efforts. These changes aim to clarify how public defense services are delivered to indigent clients.
HB 398 revises health insurance laws regarding utilization review, impacting patients and health insurance companies. The bill requires health plans to honor previously approved health care services for at least three months when a patient changes plans, ensuring continuity of care. It mandates that only licensed physicians, specializing in the relevant condition, can make or review decisions to deny or reduce health care services (adverse determinations). Additionally, it clarifies the definition of "adverse determination" and other related terms within insurance law.
HB 629 revises laws regarding connections between proposed subdivisions and public water or wastewater systems. It mandates that county and municipal water or sewer systems must accept a proposed subdivision's request for connection under specific circumstances. These conditions include the subdivision's boundary being within 501 to 1,000 feet of the public system, and the system certifying it has adequate capacity and meets all regulatory requirements. The bill also directs the Department of Environmental Quality to amend its administrative rules to align with these new provisions.
HB 523 creates a process for public cemeteries to declare unused burial lots as abandoned. A lot can be considered abandoned if it has not been used for interment and there has been no contact with the owner or their heirs for 75 years or more. An individual can petition the cemetery administrator, who must then publish a public notice for three weeks to allow any owners or heirs to claim the lot. If no valid claim is made, the lot is deemed legally abandoned, and the petitioner may purchase it. This process does not apply to lots for veteran burials or those with confirmed human remains.
HB 464 revises Montana's insurance laws regarding property ownership changes upon death. It clarifies that when real property is transferred using a "transfer on death deed," the existing insurance coverage on that property is not voided when the original owner passes away. Instead, the bill ensures that the insurance coverage temporarily extends to the designated beneficiary for losses to the real property. This temporary coverage lasts for a maximum of 45 days after the owner's death, or until a new policy is in place or the original policy expires, ensuring continuity of protection for the property.
HB 307 revises the laws concerning the donation of hunting licenses to disabled veterans and members of the armed forces. It allows current hunting license holders to surrender their licenses for reissuance to eligible disabled veterans or service members, specifically for use on expeditions arranged by qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations focused on rehabilitation. The bill establishes new eligibility requirements for recipients, who must now be Purple Heart recipients with a combat-related injury leading to medical retirement or a 70% or greater disability rating. Additionally, recipients may not have received a donated license under this section in the previous calendar year, but are not required to be residents or pay fees.
HB 400, titled the "Free to Speak Act," prohibits public schools and the state from taking disciplinary or adverse actions against students and employees. This protection applies if they decline to state their own pronouns or to address another person using a name, pronoun, or title that is inconsistent with that person's sex or not their legal name. The bill allows individuals harmed by such violations to bring a civil lawsuit seeking injunctive relief, monetary damages, and attorney fees. This act aims to protect specific speech choices for students and employees within public education and interactions with the state.
