Senate Bill No. introduced by D. Harvey and others proposes significant changes to Montana's workers' compensation benefits by removing the existing cap that benefits cannot exceed the state's average weekly wage. Instead, the bill establishes a new maximum limit of $2,885 per week for workers' compensation benefits, which is reflected in amendments to several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA). The bill also clarifies that all weekly compensation benefits must be based on the elected wages of the employer, subject to this new maximum limit.

Additionally, the bill revises definitions and eligibility criteria for various worker categories, including volunteers and community service participants, ensuring their inclusion in the workers' compensation system. It outlines clearer guidelines for compensation related to temporary total and permanent total disabilities, emphasizing the necessity of objective medical findings to support claims. For permanent total disability, benefits are set at 66 2/3% of the worker's wages at the time of injury, with the same maximum limit of $2,885 per week. The bill also maintains requirements for permanent partial disability benefits and clarifies compensation for beneficiaries of deceased employees, aiming to standardize and enhance the benefits available to injured workers and their families.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 39-71-118, 39-71-701, 39-71-702, 39-71-703, 39-71-721
SB0308_1(1): 39-71-118, 39-71-701, 39-71-702, 39-71-703, 39-71-721
SB0308_1(2): 39-71-118, 39-71-701, 39-71-702, 39-71-703, 39-71-721
SB0308_1(3): 39-71-118, 39-71-701, 39-71-702, 39-71-703, 39-71-721
SB0308_1(4): 39-71-118, 39-71-701, 39-71-702, 39-71-703, 39-71-721
SB0308_1(5): 39-71-118, 39-71-701, 39-71-702, 39-71-703, 39-71-721
SB0308_1: 39-71-118, 39-71-701, 39-71-702, 39-71-703, 39-71-721
SB0308_2(1): 39-71-118, 39-71-701, 39-71-702, 39-71-703, 39-71-721
SB0308_2(2): 39-71-118, 39-71-701, 39-71-702, 39-71-703, 39-71-721
SB0308_2(3): 39-71-118, 39-71-701, 39-71-702, 39-71-703, 39-71-721
SB0308_2(4): 39-71-118, 39-71-701, 39-71-702, 39-71-703, 39-71-721
SB0308_2(5): 39-71-118, 39-71-701, 39-71-702, 39-71-703, 39-71-721
SB0308_2(6): 39-71-118, 39-71-701, 39-71-702, 39-71-703, 39-71-721
SB0308_2(7): 39-71-118, 39-71-701, 39-71-702, 39-71-703, 39-71-721
SB0308_2(8): 39-71-118, 39-71-701, 39-71-702, 39-71-703, 39-71-721
SB0308_2(9): 39-71-118, 39-71-701, 39-71-702, 39-71-703, 39-71-721
SB0308_2: 39-71-118, 39-71-701, 39-71-702, 39-71-703, 39-71-721