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69th Legislature 2025 HB 75
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – HB 75
ENROLLED BILL
AN ACT GENERALLY REVISING PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, AND
CERTIFICATION STANDARDS; APPLYING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF PEACE OFFICER CERTIFICATION
STANDARDS TO ALL PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS; CLARIFYING TRAINING REQUIREMENTS WHEN NO
BASIC EQUIVALENCY COURSE EXISTS FOR A PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER'S SPECIFIC DISCIPLINE; AND
AMENDING SECTION 44-4-404, MCA.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
Section 1. Section 44-4-404, MCA, is amended to read:
"44-4-404. Appointing authority responsible for applying standards -- training requirements. (1)
It is the responsibility of a public safety officer's appointing authority to apply the employment standards and
training criteria established by the council pursuant to this part, including but not limited to requiring the
successful completion of minimum training standards within 1 year of the public safety officer's hire date and
terminating the employment of a public safety officer for failure to meet the minimum standards established by
the council pursuant to this part.
(2) (a) The provisions of 7-32-303(6), (7)(a), and (7)(d) apply to public safety officers in the public
safety officer's specific discipline. Within 1 year of the public safety officer's most recent appointment, the public
safety officer shall complete the applicable basic course if:
(i) no basic equivalency course exists in the public safety officer's discipline;
(ii) the public safety officer has attended the basic course required in 7-32-303(6); and
(iii) the public safety officer has a break in service of more than 3 years but less than 5 years.
(b) The requirements of subsection (2)(a) do not apply to reserve officers as defined in 7-32-201.
(2)(3) (a) A public safety officer's appointing authority may apply to the council on behalf of the public
safety officer for an extension to complete the minimum training standards. The extension may not exceed 180
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69th Legislature 2025 HB 75
- 2 - Authorized Print Version – HB 75
ENROLLED BILL
days. The application must explain the circumstances that make the extension necessary.
(b) When granting an extension, the council may consider the following factors:
(i) illness of the public safety officer or a member of the public safety officer's immediate family;
(ii) lack of reasonable access to the basic equivalency course;
(iii) an unreasonable shortage of personnel in the public safety officer's department; and
(iv) any other factors the council considers relevant.
(3)(4) (a) If a public safety officer who has not yet completed the minimum training standards is
ordered to state or federal military duty within 1 year of the officer's hire date, the officer's employing agency
shall notify the council within 10 days of the officer's departure for military duty. The public safety officer's 1-
year period to complete minimum training standards must be stayed.
(b) Within 10 days of the public safety officer's return to the employing agency from military duty,
the officer's employing agency shall notify the council. The public safety officer's 1-year period to complete
minimum training standards must then resume."
- END -
I hereby certify that the within bill,
HB 75, originated in the House.
___________________________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
___________________________________________
Speaker of the House
Signed this _______________________________day
of____________________________________, 2025.
___________________________________________
President of the Senate
Signed this _______________________________day
of____________________________________, 2025.
HOUSE BILL NO. 75
INTRODUCED BY S. GIST
BY REQUEST OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER STANDARDS AND TRAINING COUNCIL
AN ACT GENERALLY REVISING PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, AND
CERTIFICATION STANDARDS; APPLYING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF PEACE OFFICER CERTIFICATION
STANDARDS TO ALL PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS; CLARIFYING TRAINING REQUIREMENTS WHEN NO
BASIC EQUIVALENCY COURSE EXISTS FOR A PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER'S SPECIFIC DISCIPLINE; AND
AMENDING SECTION 44-4-404, MCA.