[NFBMT] Montana Legislative Update

[BRUCE&JOY BRESLAUER]

Good morning, fellow Montana Federationists.

 

It may be cold and snowy outside, but things are heating up in the 2019
Montana Legislature.

 

Here is the list of bills we have drafted or have before the 2019 Montana
legislature and their current status.

 

LC2761 = HB588; Prohibit subminimum wages for workers with disabilities;
Sponsor: Mary Caferro, D. HD81; Had its first reading before the House
Business and Labor Committee on February 20, and was not tables.  The text
was introduced electronically and is available on the 2019 Montana
legislative web site.    

 

LC2762; Establishment of accessible electronic alternative for mail voting.
Draft on hold. 

 

LC2763; Provide that ballots used for voters with disabilities be same form
used by all.  Draft on hold.

 

HJ3: Interim study resolution on accessibility for disabled electors.
Sponsor:  Forrest Manneville. (R. HD57.) It was passed by the legislature;
enrolling and final preparation process.  It passed its third reading and was
returned to the House on February 20.  It was sent to enrolling on February
21.  This was not a bill, but an interim study.

 

LC2764: Establish penalties for negligent injury or death of service animal;
Still in the drafting process.  It has been through the legal review and is
currently being updated to be more consistent with other current Montana
criminal laws without overlapping them.  There are already Montana laws
dealing with a dog which bites a person.  What they are grappling with now is
what to do with a dog which bites a dog or another animal under the law.

 

LC2765 Protect rights of blind parents in family law.  Draft on hold.

 

HB95 Generally revise laws relating to protection of vulnerable adult.
Sponsor:  Jim Kean (D., HD73.)  Tabled in House Judiciary Committee on
February 15, 2019.

 

If you would like to leave a message for a legislator, you can call
406-444-4800 and operators will take a message that will be forwarded to
legislators. Please be aware that they will ask for your name and address,
which will not be shared other than with the legislator. The operators can
take a message for up to 5 legislators at one time or to an entire committee.

 

You may also contact legislators using the online web message form
<https://leg.mt.gov/web-messaging/> .

 

Joy Breslauer, First Vice President and Public Policies Committee Chair

National Federation of the Blind of Montana 

Web Site: http://www.nfbofmt.org <http://www.nfbofmt.org/> 

 

Live the life you want

 

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends
who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every day we work
together to help blind people live the lives they want.