Montana lawmakers increase comp death benefits

Montana lawmakers on Thursday passed legislation to increase the maximum amount paid out for burial expenses for workers who die on the job.

H.B. 198, which passed the Senate in a 46-4 vote and passed the House unanimously in February, would raise the maximum payment for reasonable burial expenses for an employee whose death is the result of an accidental injury arising out of employment to $10,000 from the previous maximum of $4,000.

The payment is not part of the workers compensation that might be paid out to surviving dependents.

The bill now goes to Gov. Greg Gianforte for his signature.