MontanaSB 51869th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)SenateWALLET

Transfer licensing of emergency medical providers to the department of labor and industry

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Workers' comp rules for volunteer medics

From Jan 1, 2026, volunteer emergency care providers are licensed by the Department of Labor and Industry. If an ambulance service or nontransporting medical unit elects workers' compensation coverage for volunteers, employers use that licensing status for premium and benefit reporting. This clarifies how workers' comp coverage applies to volunteer medics.

Labor Department runs emergency care licensing

Beginning Jan 1, 2026, the Department of Labor and Industry licenses emergency care providers, including emergency medical responders, EMTs, advanced EMTs, and paramedics. The department must set rules on training, license levels, scope, drug administration, complaint handling, and community‑integrated care education. Complaints about out‑of‑hospital care and EMS operations are filed with and reviewed by the department. Labor and Public Health must keep a written cooperation plan to avoid duplicate work. The medical examiners board adds one emergency care provider member. The law also clarifies that “department” means the Department of Labor and Industry for licensing programs without boards.

Emergency care providers not first responders

As of Jan 1, 2026, emergency care providers are not counted as first responders in the state's opioid antagonist distribution program. This changes how program rules, access, or duties apply to these providers.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Derek Harvey
Democrat • Senate

Cosponsors

Scott DeMarois
Democrat • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 258 • No: 38

Senate vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 83 • No: 16

Senate vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 85 • No: 14

Senate vote • 3/6/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 48 • No: 1