October 2025 Labor Law Updates for Bozeman, Montana
Welcome to the October 2025 monthly labor-law roundup for Montana, brought to you by our team at HKM Employment Attorneys. Whether you’re an HR professional, in-house counsel, or an employee, this update highlights key employment-law developments in Montana workplaces so you can stay compliant and informed.
These three developments represent key Montana labor-law items in October 2025: enhanced protections for volunteer emergency responders, ongoing developments in pay transparency, and the reminder of wage & hour obligations under the current minimum-wage law. If you’re an employer seeking to update your handbook or policies — or an employee with questions about wage notices or leave protections — feel free to contact HKM Employment Attorneys at hkm.com for tailored guidance.
Volunteer Emergency Services Protection Law — Legislation
Date: October 1, 2025 (effective date)
Summary:
A new Montana law prohibits employers from terminating (or disciplining) employees who are volunteer emergency-services providers (such as volunteer firefighters or EMTs) for being absent or late due to responding to an emergency. Employers are not required to pay for the volunteer time, but must not retaliate. Employees must provide notice of their volunteer status as prescribed.
Implications:
Employers in Montana should update their absence, leave and discipline policies to account for volunteer emergency-service status. HR should ensure managers do not penalise employees responding to emergencies in a volunteer capacity once the notice requirements are met.
Employees who are volunteer responders gain a specific protection against wrongful termination under the Montana Wrongful Discharge From Employment Act.
Pay Transparency / Wage Range Disclosure (Under Monitoring) — Guidance / Legislative Tracking
Date: October 5, 2025 (publication of update)
Summary:
While Montana has not yet enacted comprehensive pay-range disclosure laws in job postings, updates published in October signal increasing legislative interest in pay transparency. Under current law (Mont. Code § 39-3-203), employers must notify employees in writing of their wage rate and payday before starting work, or conspicuously post that information. The recent update reviews proposed bills (such as SB 146 and SB 313) that would require salary ranges in job postings and prohibit salary-history inquiries—but those bills have not passed.
Implications:
Montana employers should continue processes for written wage-rate notifications before hire or via conspicuous posting.
HR teams should monitor for forthcoming legislation (likely during the 2027 session) requiring wage-range disclosures and possibly prohibiting salary-history requests.
Employees and applicants in Montana should be aware: they currently have the right to written wage information before starting employment, but do not yet have a statutory right to salary-range disclosures in job ads.
Minimum Wage and Wage & Hour Reminder — Regulatory Update
Date: October 2, 2025 (publication of overview)
Summary:
The Montana minimum wage remains $10.55 per hour for most employees as of 2025 (effective January 1).
The state continues its cost-of-living adjustment mechanism (based on CPI) for future increases. Employers with gross annual sales under $110,000 and not subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act may pay as low as $4.00 per hour—though for employees producing or moving goods between states, the greater of federal or state minimum wage applies.
Implications:
Employers must ensure hourly wages meet at least the $10.55 threshold (or the applicable federal minimum if higher). Small employers (gross sales ≤ $110k, FLSA-exempt) should confirm eligibility for the $4.00 per hour exception and ensure they are not improperly applying it.
HR and payroll must continue to monitor CPI and next adjustment, and update wage posters accordingly. Employees should verify their wage meets the state minimum and know their rights under Montana wage & hour laws.
Conclusion: Looking Back on Montana Labor Law Updates from October 2025
With Montana courts and legislature addressing a wide range of employment and labor issues, it’s more important than ever to have local legal support. At HKM Employment Attorneys in Bozeman, we represent employees in all industries, and at all employment levels, and we have the experience, the resources, and the skill to help you against any company, large or small. Our services include taking on Breach of Contract cases, a wide range of Discrimination cases, Non-compete clauses and more. We take great pride in our work and fighting against any company. Our Bozeman team is known for walking clients through sensitive investigations, negotiation, and litigation with compassion and clarity. If recent court decisions hit close to home, reach out to our Bozeman office to see how we can be your ally in the aftermath.
