House Bill No. introduced by M. Thiel revises various aspects of Montana's workers' compensation laws, with a primary focus on the definition of "employer," the frequency of summary reports submitted by insurers, and the provisions for medical status forms. The bill expands the definition of "employer" to include entities such as religious organizations and fiscal agents, while clarifying the presumption of employer status for those utilizing workers provided by others. Additionally, it modifies the reporting requirements for insurers, changing the submission timeline for summary reports from quarterly to annually and specifying the information that must be included in these reports.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a new medical status form that healthcare providers must complete for workers with compensable injuries or occupational diseases. This form will now require details about the affected body part, work restrictions, and anticipated release dates, while removing previous requirements for treatment plans and prescribed medications. The amendments aim to streamline the administration of workers' compensation, ensuring that necessary information is consistently reported and documented, ultimately enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the system for both employers and employees.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 39-71-117, 39-71-201, 39-71-306, 39-71-1036
HB0428_1(1): 39-71-117, 39-71-201, 39-71-306, 39-71-1036
HB0428_1(2): 39-71-117, 39-71-201, 39-71-306, 39-71-1036
HB0428_1(3): 39-71-117, 39-71-201, 39-71-306, 39-71-1036
HB0428_1(4): 39-71-117, 39-71-201, 39-71-306, 39-71-1036
HB0428_1(5): 39-71-117, 39-71-201, 39-71-306, 39-71-1036
HB0428_1: 39-71-117, 39-71-201, 39-71-306, 39-71-1036
HB0428_X(1): 39-71-117, 39-71-201, 39-71-306, 39-71-1036
HB0428_X(2): 39-71-117, 39-71-201, 39-71-306, 39-71-1036
HB0428_X(3): 39-71-117, 39-71-201, 39-71-306, 39-71-1036
HB0428_X(4): 39-71-117, 39-71-201, 39-71-306, 39-71-1036
HB0428_X(5): 39-71-117, 39-71-201, 39-71-306, 39-71-1036
HB0428_X: 39-71-117, 39-71-201, 39-71-306, 39-71-1036