HB 128 protects volunteer emergency service providers, such as firefighters and EMTs, from being terminated by their public or private employers. It prohibits employers from firing an employee solely for serving as a volunteer emergency provider, provided the employee notifies their employer of their volunteer status. If an employee is absent or late to work due to volunteer emergency service, they must notify their employer as soon as possible, and employers may request documentation of the emergency response. The bill clarifies that employees cannot claim regular pay for time spent on volunteer duties, and employers retain the right to determine if an employee can leave work to respond to an emergency. Employees whose employment is terminated in violation of these provisions may bring a civil action for remedies like reinstatement and back wages.
SB 233 enacts the Interstate Massage Compact, establishing a new multistate licensing program for massage therapists. This compact allows licensed massage therapists to practice in all participating member states with a single multistate license, increasing their professional mobility. It includes provisions for criminal background checks for multistate licensure and creates an interstate commission to administer the compact. The bill aims to improve public access to massage therapy services and enhance regulatory cooperation among states while ensuring public safety.
SB 212, known as the "Right to Compute Act," generally revises laws related to technology. It establishes a fundamental right for individuals to own and use computational resources, asserting that government restrictions on this right must be limited and narrowly tailored to a compelling public interest. The bill also requires deployers of critical artificial intelligence systems that control critical infrastructure facilities to develop a risk management policy. This affects individuals and entities using technology, as well as those responsible for managing AI in essential services.
SB 251 establishes confidentiality for all matters under investigation by the Office of the Child and Family Ombudsman. This means information received, collected, and maintained by the ombudsman's office cannot be disclosed or shared. However, there are exceptions: records may be disclosed to a court for in camera inspection if relevant to a legal issue, and a court can permit disclosure if necessary for a fair resolution. The bill also specifically ensures the identity of individuals who contact the ombudsman remains confidential, with a limited exception.
SB 248 amends Montana law concerning the confidentiality of child abuse and neglect investigation records. This bill specifically provides that state legislators' access to these Child Protective Services (CPS) records will now include any related drug testing results. The change expands the types of information legislators can review when examining child protection cases. This directly affects legislators by broadening their access to information within these records and impacts individuals whose drug testing results are part of CPS investigations.
Senate Bill 9 (SB 9) modifies the deposit schedule for state agencies and institutions in Montana. This bill allows state agencies to deposit cash that does not exceed $200 and total collections that do not exceed $750 every 14 days, rather than the current weekly requirement. Agencies must still deposit funds daily if cash or total collections exceed these amounts. The bill also maintains provisions for agencies to propose alternative deposit schedules, subject to approval by the Department of Administration and the Board of Investments.
HB 142 revises the laws governing legislative interim committees. It increases the number of bill drafts an interim committee can request on a partisan basis from four to five. The bill also clarifies the definitions of "partisan basis" to mean a request voted on by only the majority party, and "bipartisan basis" to mean a request voted on by members from more than one party. These changes affect how interim committees can propose new legislation for future sessions.
HB 238 revises laws concerning mental and physical evaluations for individuals seeking or holding professional licenses. The bill establishes a standard process allowing licensing boards or the Department of Labor and Industry to require an evaluation if there is an objective and reasonable belief that a licensee or applicant poses a significant risk of substantial harm to public health and safety. These evaluations determine how any mental or physical impairment, disability, or substance use might impact professional performance and safety. Refusal to comply with such an evaluation can lead to the summary suspension of a license or the halting of an application.
HB 241 enacts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), allowing licensed psychologists to provide services across state lines. This bill enables psychologists licensed in a compact state to offer telepsychology services or temporary in-person services (up to 30 days annually) in other compact states without needing separate licenses. It establishes a framework for mutual recognition of licenses, defines requirements for cross-state practice, and creates a system for sharing licensure and disciplinary information among member states. The compact aims to increase public access to psychological services while maintaining regulatory oversight and accountability for psychologists. It directly affects licensed psychologists and their clients across participating states.
HB 253 mandates that the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) disclose specific health information daily during a declared public health emergency. This bill requires the DPHHS to publish on its website the total number of individuals hospitalized and those who have died due to the emergency, while adhering to confidentiality laws. For these categories, the department must provide breakdowns by age group, gender, length of hospitalization, date of death, and any contributing underlying conditions or personal characteristics. The aim is to provide the public with detailed, aggregated data about the health impacts of an emergency.
SB 132 revises laws for individuals under 21 years of age who possess or unlawfully attempt to purchase alcohol, marijuana, or other intoxicating substances. The bill creates separate crimes for these actions and establishes a tiered penalty system based on the offender's age and the number of prior offenses. Penalties include fines, community service, and mandatory participation in substance abuse information courses, with parents or guardians also required to complete courses for offenders under 18. Repeat offenders may face driver's license confiscation or suspension, chemical dependency assessments, and potential jail time for those 18 and older.
SB 338 authorizes a "benefits administrator" to receive workers' compensation payments on behalf of minor children or individuals deemed incompetent. This expands the list of parties who can receive such payments, which previously included parents, guardians, or conservators. The bill grants the workers' compensation judge the authority to appoint and terminate these benefits administrators. Parties can petition the judge for this appointment without needing to satisfy other dispute resolution requirements first.
