Senate Bill No. [insert bill number] proposes significant revisions to the workers' compensation benefits framework in Montana. The bill eliminates the previous cap that limited benefits to the state's average weekly wage and introduces a new maximum benefit of $2,885 per week. This change is reflected in amendments to several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA), including sections 39-71-118, 39-71-701, 39-71-702, 39-71-703, and 39-71-721. Additionally, the bill clarifies that all weekly compensation benefits must be based on the elected wages, subject to this new maximum limit.

The legislation also revises definitions and eligibility criteria for various worker categories, including employees and volunteers, particularly focusing on volunteer emergency care providers whose benefits will be calculated based on their volunteer hours. It establishes that permanent total disability benefits will be capped at $2,885 per week, replacing the previous average wage cap, and requires objective medical findings for disability determinations. The bill maintains that permanent partial disability benefits are based on actual wage loss and impairment ratings, with a similar maximum weekly benefit. Furthermore, it outlines compensation for beneficiaries of deceased workers, ensuring clarity and standardization in the compensation structure for 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: 39-71-118, 39-71-701, 39-71-702, 39-71-703, 39-71-721