MT HB812

Nonprofessional employees of educational institutions (such as custodians, bus drivers, cafeteria workers) would become eligible to claim unemployment benefits during breaks between academic years or terms, aligning Montana law with federal law under 26 U.S.C. 3304(a)(6)(A)(ii)(I).

Current law denies unemployment benefits to all educational institution employees during periods between academic terms if they have reasonable assurance of returning to work.

Professional employees (those in instructional, research, or principal administrative capacities) remain ineligible for unemployment benefits between academic terms if they have contracts or reasonable assurance of continued employment.

Amends Section 39-51-2108, MCA, by adding a new subsection excluding nonprofessional employees from the definition of "individual" subject to benefit denial provisions.