MontanaHB 12869th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Protect volunteer emergency service providers from termination

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Job protection for volunteer responders

The law protects workers who volunteer as emergency responders from being fired for serving or for joining a volunteer unit, after they finish probation. After you give the required written notice, your employer cannot fire you for being absent or late while you respond to an emergency as a volunteer. If you are fired in violation, you can sue under Montana’s wrongful discharge law (39-2-904) within one year; if you win, you get the remedies in 39-2-905. You qualify if you are a volunteer firefighter, an enrolled member of a volunteer fire department, or a volunteer EMT, and you are not paid full time by that local entity.

No regular pay for volunteer time

You do not receive regular pay for time you miss or are late because you responded as a volunteer. If you were paid for that time, your employer can deduct that amount.

Notice and permission rules for responders

Give your employer written notice that you volunteer within 30 days of the law’s effective date, within 30 days after you join, or within 30 days of hire. If a call may make you absent or late, tell your employer as soon as you can. If your absence would imperil public safety or stop an essential function, your employer can require you to get permission before you respond. Your employer must decide whether you can leave work to answer a call. After a call, your employer may ask for a note from your volunteer supervisor with the date, time, and how long you served.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Llew Jones
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Gregg Hunter
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 264 • No: 34

Senate vote • 4/1/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 35 • No: 15

Senate 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