MontanaHB 12869th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Protect volunteer emergency service providers from termination

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Private workers protected for emergency volunteering

The law protects private employees who volunteer as emergency responders. After probation, your employer cannot fire you for serving or joining. Give written notice within 30 days. If you already serve, notify within 30 days of the law’s effective date. If you join later or at hire, notify within 30 days. After you notify, your employer cannot fire you for being late or absent during an emergency response. Tell your employer as soon as possible. Provide written proof from your volunteer supervisor if asked. Your employer decides if you may leave work to respond. It can require pre-approval when leaving risks public safety or stops an essential function. You do not get your regular pay for that time. Any such pay can be deducted. Covered volunteers include volunteer firefighters and volunteer EMTs. Full-time paid responders for that entity are not covered. If fired anyway, you can sue within one year. You may seek reinstatement, back pay, benefits, seniority, and attorney fees.

State workers protected for emergency volunteering

The law protects state workers who volunteer as emergency responders. After probation, your agency cannot fire you for serving or joining. Give written notice within 30 days. If you already serve, notify within 30 days of the law’s effective date. If you join later or at hire, notify within 30 days. After you notify, your agency cannot fire you for being late or absent during an emergency response. Tell your agency as soon as possible. Provide written proof from your volunteer supervisor if asked. Your agency decides if you may leave work to respond. It can require pre-approval when leaving risks public safety or stops an essential function. You do not get your regular pay for that time. Any such pay can be deducted. Covered volunteers include volunteer firefighters and volunteer EMTs. Full-time paid responders for that entity are not covered. If fired anyway, you can sue within one year. You may seek reinstatement, back pay, benefits, seniority, and attorney fees.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Llew Jones
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Gregg Hunter
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 264 • No: 34

House vote • 4/1/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 35 • No: 15

House vote • 3/31/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 36 • No: 14

House vote • 2/3/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 97 • No: 2

House vote • 1/31/2025