Labor & Employment (People with Disabilities)

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.

This bill (LC 1820) was a draft proposal to revise laws concerning disability accommodations, but it did not advance beyond the drafting stage. The bill's title suggests it aimed to update regulations related to accessibility for people with disabilities, though specific provisions were never finalized or introduced. It was assigned to a drafter in 2024, placed on hold in February 2025, and ultimately "died in process" by May 2025 without becoming law. No concrete policy changes were enacted, as the bill never progressed to committee review or a vote.