[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6353424,"mediaKeyId","2221325-e7c57f2606f1689c995ea7fdb8ba72c9","parentId",2221325,"title","Montana sponsor outlines paid‑sick‑leave proposal as business groups urge caution","audioSeconds",1764,"startMs",1739000,"endMs",3503000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2221325-e7c57f2606f1689c995ea7fdb8ba72c9&start=1739&end=3503","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2221325-e7c57f2606f1689c995ea7fdb8ba72c9/thumbnail_1739000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6353424/Montana/Montana-sponsor-outlines-paidsickleave-proposal-as-business-groups-urge-caution","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353424-299d0e46522f08e0da899305ea2d8a62/orig.mp4?Expires=1773524166&Signature=RgFo1H4heIMGgRpCECmFvs7~kyBZ3W52hejOB9aRPcg9YLWzDtCJb59JigNP9DpdXv8HM~Nglfd~fG5veBv37cN0LwSV-uK16D9kD8-zDxbl6uPrUGens~xi~gYHTcCAfLk8kHBi~bOOlKshVyo1rO-gfP-flvo4oYO8NeYQWdKR7nK3UzQkMcoGJRZiFiYOnQrxphOLE~IirFtSXOadSjbd4dyNaGaVMEkuJC8q3kC~PVL0EQKjyrVwzd9M~ILxr3I~pw25dwIIGVl-fNHjaJ46OzgMf-SlJlXXhEkODE6lcrtOnT~YUi2oeN4U63pv1k9Nw17wFAFMBtuIn~4yfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-01-31T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Howell told the House Business and Labor Committee that House Bill 297 “is designed to ensure that all Montana workers have access to 1 of the most basic of workers' rights, paid sick days.”

Her bill would let employees earn one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked, up to 40 hours (five days) a year; employees could accrue or carry over time but could not use or accrue more than 80 hours (10 days) in a year. The bill exempts businesses with fewer than 10 employees and exempts employees covered by a collective‑bargaining agreement. The measure also permits use of paid sick time for domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking‑related needs and bars retaliation for using leave.

Why the bill matters

Howell and proponents said the law would reduce disease transmission, increase access to preventive care and reduce emergency‑room visits. “Paid sick days give workers the time they need to recover, to see a doctor, or to take care of a sick kid or a sick family member,” Howell said.

Support and opposition

Supporters at the hearing included public‑policy and health advocates and unions. Heather O'Loughlin of the Montana Budget and Policy Center said the policy addresses workers who “do not have access to paid sick days” and argued leave supports preventive care and reduces ER visits. Kelsen Young of the Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence urged the committee to note the bill’s domestic‑violence provisions, saying they help survivors retain employment while seeking safety.

Opponents included the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and the Montana Chamber of Commerce. NFIB's Rhonda Wiggers told the committee she is not opposed to sick leave per se but warned against adding regulations that limit small businesses' ability to tailor benefits: “We would ask for a do not pass,” she said. Kerry Hegreberg of the Chamber warned the bill could upend employer PTO policies and flagged definitions and record‑keeping as areas of concern.

Technical issues and enforcement

Quinlan O'Connor, chief legal counsel at the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), described enforcement as a wage‑claim style process and said the agency estimated added workload for wage and hour investigators. The fiscal note included estimated investigator FTE and rulemaking costs; Commissioner Sarah Swanson told the committee that DLI processes wage claims regularly and that the department's estimated enforcement workload was conservative.

Key clarifications from testimony

- Accrual: Employees accrue one hour of sick time per 40 hours worked, prorated for part‑time workers.
- Cap and carryover: Employees cannot use or accrue more than 80 hours (10 days) per year.
- Small‑business exemption: Employers with fewer than 10 employees are exempt.
- Collective bargaining: Employees covered by collective‑bargaining agreements are exempt.
- Allowable uses: Personal or family illness, medical care, and needs related to domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking.

Outcome

The committee heard lengthy testimony from proponents and opponents and questioned DLI and the sponsor on implementation and fiscal effects. The transcript does not record a committee vote on HB 297 during the same meeting.

Ending note

Supporters framed HB 297 as modest and aimed at protecting public health and worker stability; opponents cautioned about compliance and administrative costs for small employers. The committee requested additional information on some technical points.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Business and Labor 2025-01-31","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Howell told the House Business and Labor Committee that House Bill 297 “is designed to ensure that all Montana workers have access to 1 of the most basic of workers' rights, paid sick days.”","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MT, Montana","taxId",77694,"location","Montana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6353429,"Montana bill clears committee to let limited‑access dental hygienists work in school oral‑health programs",1542,133000,1675000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2221325-e7c57f2606f1689c995ea7fdb8ba72c9&start=133&end=1675","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2221325-e7c57f2606f1689c995ea7fdb8ba72c9/thumbnail_133000.jpg","/articles/6353429/Montana/Montana-bill-clears-committee-to-let-limitedaccess-dental-hygienists-work-in-school-oralhealth-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353429-349b417d9eff6f1b6bb4f37520ca73ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1773524166&Signature=GmMmEOR3sypRgmBe-tmmXBwffZrKCNUq4DTDvatdgOMQYi9R9WMh7CjIu1pfwXIZg1Uq8JAqDidupn8oAWleRco1THFHpT~Zm-XNZn~t-mAIo4PpQavyzrtZZKxfh6K-8D9aRgF5s35sWJzXI7didFFmD2ZOO5A1w~QLTYHCV8rMNA9UZOEejhr8ltC7wwBpl5kOabzJJLjqTuz-RI3xa~IAp6jH4kUep8jDUmCrOGHyZfLwu2~pgoWA5uzNpMwEZHAjn7KpUX7wWdcj0SlkJCQjP4cW7isWV9K~UiQTJ2rH-zjF~pd8oDVUbpxx~wVI0GdFdtnaU0HHMSMR5jiOlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Nichol opened the House Business and Labor Committee hearing on House Bill 321 by describing the bill as a product of “a nearly 2 year collaboration between leadership of both the Montana Dental Association and the Montana Dental Hygienists Association.”

The bill would explicitly allow licensed limited access permit (LAP) dental hygienists to provide limited preventive treatment — such as cleanings and sealants — in school‑based oral‑health programs to eligible students. Sponsor testimony and a string of proponents emphasized that the proposal does not expand the clinical scope of practice for hygienists, does not require schools to offer services, and leaves program qualification to the Montana Board of Dentistry.

Why the bill matters

Supporters told the committee the change is intended to expand access to preventive care for children in rural and underserved communities that lack dentists, by allowing LAP hygienists to deliver services in schools with local authorization and parental consent. Sarah Swanson, commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry, described a long administrative and legislative history and urged a due pass: “Everyone agrees and that's really the theme that I want you to take away from today.”

What the bill would do

Testimony clarified the core provisions: HB 321 would remove schools from being categorized as public‑health facilities and define a “school‑based oral health program” as a program coordinated through school administration or school health services; it preserves the Board of Dentistry’s authority to determine qualifying programs; and it moves certain statutory definitions to the end of the statute. Representative Nichol said the measure “does not change the scope of practice for dental hygienists. It just adds a place that they can work.”

Support and safeguards

Proponents included state dental and hygiene associations, community health centers and individuals with experience running LAP programs. Webb Brown of the Montana Dental Association said the bill is the result of leadership “coming together” and urged a due pass; Katie Glueckert, immediate past president of the Montana Dental Hygienists Association, testified that hygienists who would practice under LAPs must already meet education, board and experience requirements and that the bill “is straightforward with the intent to allow for dental hygiene preventative services in a school based oral health program under public health supervision.”

Several witnesses described existing LAP practice in the state, the required credentials for LAP hygienists, and that hygienists may refer students to dentists when additional care is needed. The Department of Labor and Industry and the Board of Dentistry were described as having played active roles in negotiations and rule work during the interim.

Opposition and unanswered questions

No opponents appeared at the hearing, though committee members asked about details such as whether the board could limit eligible schools and whether programs would be limited to rural areas. Quinlan O'Connor, chief legal counsel at DLI, said the board could undertake rulemaking and that some technical cleanup in administrative rules might follow enactment. Commissioner Swanson noted the law is not limited to rural areas, saying the statute “is not limited. That is generally who has used it in the past.”

Outcome and next steps

The committee later moved HB 321 out of executive action with a do‑pass recommendation. The House Business and Labor Committee sent the bill to the House floor during executive action after the hearing.

Ending note

Proponents described HB 321 as a narrowly tailored statutory fix intended to preserve board authority while removing impediments to delivering preventive oral care in schools across Montana.","The House Business and Labor Committee heard extensive, largely supportive testimony on House Bill 321, which would allow limited access permit (LAP) dental hygienists to provide preventive services in school‑based oral‑health programs while preserving Board of Dentistry authority and not changing hygienists’ scope of practice.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6353414,"Votes at a glance: Executive actions from House Business and Labor committee",474,11248000,11722000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2221325-e7c57f2606f1689c995ea7fdb8ba72c9&start=11248&end=11722","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2221325-e7c57f2606f1689c995ea7fdb8ba72c9/thumbnail_11248000.jpg","/articles/6353414/Montana/Votes-at-a-glance-Executive-actions-from-House-Business-and-Labor-committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353414-9e722a761dc883e854d3674d7778db62/orig.mp4?Expires=1773524166&Signature=MxzSnX~B8xw6ye2IuKm1VPYEIgesuTYHaONY3MtWGUw0k~a078te~g7ta5a8pOEC3o3YR3bUZKexQ~BAj4v3blRm23GOCPrbqPahwI7SJFYmdT02rwppFA4O~06AmTd6iHqNJuXTo48D~QI9VhRZ6o9AN87ZvQ1KD4tOmMpM03WMhch6CyhqXeYOElvRQHPjNUgghqAincXbQWZjp~JRSAf72ECdTiF-nKOONhu3Cizn8n250p0Pz4sdYLjR~GbUZnOvT03hIgEbzxGxvgaTeJoh316xrpiJBM~XoG6WRSarndwcYjNVMm10nxeGZVTXNCO1aM3cuyXR4B1qv4ASUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Business and Labor Committee took executive action at the end of its meeting and recorded the following outcomes.

What passed

- HB 225 (home‑inspector licensing): Committee adopted two amendments and moved the bill out of committee with a do‑pass recommendation. Vice Chair Seekins Crowe moved the do‑pass motion; amendments addressing insurance limits and a disclosure provision were adopted with sponsor support. The transcript records that the bill passed committee and was moved to the House floor.

- HB 235 (voluntary vehicle registration suspension): Committee adopted an amendment that removed a disputed subsection and then approved the bill, sending it to the House floor.

- HB 321 (school oral‑health/LAP hygienists): After the hearing the committee moved HB 321 with a do‑pass recommendation; proxies for several members were recorded in the transcript and the committee forwarded the bill to the House floor.

Failed or tabled

- HB 290 (PFAs regulation): A roll‑call vote on a do‑pass motion was taken and the motion failed; the transcript records a subsequent motion to table HB 290, which passed. The committee roll call and the transcript note the motion failed (transcript phrasing: “motion fails by a vote of 8, 4 and 12 against”) and then the bill was placed on the table.

- HB 315 (restaurant beer and wine licensing): The committee rejected a do‑pass motion (the transcript records the motion failed) and then voted to table the bill; the committee noted concerns that changes affecting alcohol licensing should be vetted through the state alcohol coalition.

Procedural notes and proxies

- Multiple voice and roll‑call votes were recorded; several members cast votes by proxy for committee business as recorded in the transcript.
- Committee staff combined two adopted amendments into a single “combo” amendment in at least one case before the final vote.

Why it matters

These actions determine which bills move to the House floor for further debate or are set aside. Committee amendments revised insurance, disclosure and program‑administration language on several bills and added a Commerce administration designation for a shelter grant bill during the hearing phase. Several items were tabled after roll‑call votes, which pauses further committee action on them for now.

Source

Committee executive action as recorded in the House Business and Labor Committee transcript for the meeting on 2025‑02‑20.","During executive action the Business and Labor Committee amended and advanced several bills and tabled others. Key outcomes included do‑pass recommendations for HB225, HB235 and HB321; failure and tabling of HB290 (PFAs) and HB315 (restaurant beer‑and‑wine change).",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6353419,"Bill to create one‑time matching grants for shelters draws broad support and agency concerns",4113,5233000,9346000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2221325-e7c57f2606f1689c995ea7fdb8ba72c9&start=5233&end=9346","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2221325-e7c57f2606f1689c995ea7fdb8ba72c9/thumbnail_5233000.jpg","/articles/6353419/Montana/Bill-to-create-onetime-matching-grants-for-shelters-draws-broad-support-and-agency-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353419-2e4adb6e82860eb428bbb83957ae83eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1773524166&Signature=L33DRhMPXZHFWUtK8eAcwmYE3RQDuXbdnL0F1v51okRVNg9Kadq9oi4WzD~HAIJuU2j54V0ettT-akR~QB~gVOwjRvCePBMTgE5emSQcOIJvoXPHCC59hGysOjvg9XB~pBnnkVEEAi7zteZTwDyUxbYBWCfdNnUXFSuXjXsMh73qxpFYPE7a182J78rusWDME4VFQT3EOKqpkBVjZZKo0sJ4TrejIVB7pxJ-PZm0yLEAPOTGD9CIVxmlxMZ1BgXY5GZhFClWnfG30RRIMqXFdZ6b5c6twTYhnK1YHEOIzQpb-V68P42QguNhl7BvHnlV-OJqRtTV4ZccdLTZHwwixA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Melissa Nikolakakos introduced House Bill 310 as a one‑time grant program to help Montana shelters respond to a rising number of people seeking emergency shelter across the state. “House Bill 3 10 establishes a grant program using a modest amount of 1 time money over the course of the next 2 years,” the sponsor said.

The bill would appropriate a one‑time general fund amount (the fiscal note referenced $2,000,000) to a competitive grant program administered by the Department of Commerce, require a 1:1 local match (private funds may count), impose a $250,000 cap per county, and direct the department to use a weighted scoring system in awarding funds.

Why the bill matters

Supporters told the committee that Montana shelters are operating at or beyond capacity and that demand has grown for seniors, veterans, families, victims of domestic violence and young people aging out of foster care. Ella Smith, facilitator for the Montana Coalition to Solve Homelessness, said the categories in the bill “reflect the most significant spike that we've seen over the past 3 years regarding unhoused populations,” and urged lawmakers to fund staff, peer‑support specialists and in‑house services such as mental‑health and substance‑use interventions.

Support and opposition

Proponents included a wide cross section of shelter operators, nonprofit coalitions, faith groups and community health providers. Testimony described shelters’ expanded workloads, longer average stays, and the downstream public costs of untreated homelessness to emergency rooms and law enforcement. Several witnesses who operate shelters described direct experience turning people away because beds and services were full.

State agencies raised concerns about adding a new one‑time appropriation outside the governor’s budget and noted existing federal and state programs that currently fund homelessness prevention, rapid rehousing and services. Jessie Counts of the Department of Public Health and Human Services told the committee she opposed HB 310 in that form and noted DPHHS already administers federal programs including the Emergency Solutions Grant and HOPWA. Mandy Rambo of the Department of Commerce described the department’s “light opposition,” noting Commerce already manages related housing programs and a 2023 bed‑tax allocation.

Key features and clarifications

- Administration: Sponsor testimony and a subsequent amendment named the Department of Commerce to administer the grants, citing the agency’s recent track record distributing shelter infrastructure funds.
- Match and cap: Grants would require a 1:1 match; the amendment allows private funds to count toward the match and sets a $250,000 per‑county cap to encourage geographic distribution.
- Uses: Funds may be used for staffing, case management, in‑house mental‑health and substance‑use supports, shelter operations and related services designed to move people to permanent housing.

Outcome and next steps

The committee heard substantial, multi‑hour testimony with many proponents and several agency opponents. The amendment naming Commerce as administrator and adding clarity about matching funds was presented as a product of stakeholder collaboration. The transcript records the hearing and subsequent committee discussion; the committee did not record a final vote on HB 310 during the same meeting.

Ending note

Sponsors and shelter operators called HB 310 a focused, one‑time investment to reduce pressure on emergency rooms, law enforcement and other systems by bolstering shelter staff and services; state agencies said the proposal would duplicate or overlap existing federal programs and preferred that funding be considered in the governor’s budget process.","House Bill 310 proposes a one‑time, $2 million matching grant program for homeless shelters, with a 1:1 local match, county caps and scoring; proponents said the money would fund staff and wraparound services, while state agencies urged caution because federal programs already target similar needs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Montana sponsor outlines paid‑sick‑leave proposal as business groups urge caution

Montana bill clears committee to let limited‑access dental hygienists work in school oral‑health programs

Votes at a glance: Executive actions from House Business and Labor committee

Bill to create one‑time matching grants for shelters draws broad support and agency concerns