Senate committee tables proposed Montana family and medical leave act after debate

The Montana Senate Business and Labor Committee on an unspecified date tabled Senate Bill 325, a proposal to establish a state family and medical leave act, after members debated the measure's cost, timeline for implementation and effects on employers.

Committee members said the bill would extend leave protections to workers who do not qualify for federal FMLA, but several senators expressed concerns about who would pay for the program and whether the state Department of Labor could meet an effective-date timeline. Senator Harvey was identified in the hearing as the bill sponsor.

Senator Janet Novak said she supported the concept but worried about timing for state implementation. "I do have some concerns on the timeline piece, and just hoping the Department of Labor can get that rolling in time," Novak told the committee. She said she considered an amendment to delay the effective date but would support the bill as written so the sponsor could work with Labor in the House.

Senator Greg Trevis opposed the bill on cost and administrative grounds. "It's too costly and complicated, and it kind of forces an employer into a new HR function," he said, adding he preferred market-driven employer decisions on benefits.

Senator Alison Morgeau gave personal testimony in support, describing a recent cancer diagnosis and the household financial strain because neither she nor her partner qualified for federal FMLA. "For the 3 months that I was off of work, I had pay for about 3 weeks, and then we were kind of just SOL," Morgeau said, adding that family help and a landlord pause had been necessary.

The committee took a roll-call vote on a motion to pass the bill. The recorded votes and proxies produced five yes votes (Vice Chair Curti, Senator Novak, Senator Morgeau, Senator Hunter and Senator Weber by proxy) and seven no votes (Vice Chair Trevis, Senator Zolnikov by proxy, Senator Ellsworth by proxy, Senator Logie, Senator Gillespie, Senator Phelan and Chair Noland). After that vote failed, a motion to table Senate Bill 325 was offered and carried; the committee announced the bill would be "tabled" and returned to the committee's file.

Because the committee tabled the bill, no further amendments or an enacted text resulted from this meeting. Committee members said stakeholders or sponsors could continue work to adjust timelines, fee language or opt-in provisions in later drafts or in the House.

Votes at a glance: the committee recorded an initial roll-call on the motion to pass SB 325 (yes 5, no 7) and subsequently tabled the bill; the file will return to committee for future consideration.

Senate Business and Labor recessed after concluding executive action for the day; members flagged multiple bills for future sessions and said they expected continued work on several labor and insurance measures.