Senate Approves Comp Bills to Increase Burial Benefits, Cover Student Volunteers

The Montana Senate gave final approval to two workers’ compensation bills, one that would increase funeral benefits for families and another that would cover some student volunteers. House Bill 198, by Rep. Derek Harvey, D-Butte, would increase benefits for burial expenses from a maximum of $4,000 to $10,000.  The bill would also require the state to adjust the maximum burial amount every five years based on inflation measured using the consumer price index. The Senate on Thursday voted 46-4 to pass the measure. The bill was not amended after the state House of Representatives on...