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Montana Administrative Register Notice 24-28-396 No. 12   06/24/2022    
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              BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY

                                     OF THE STATE OF MONTANA 

 

In the matter of the adoption of New Rules I through III and the repeal of ARM 24.28.101, 24.28.102, 24.28.103, 24.28.104, 24.28.105, 24.28.106, 24.28.107, 24.28.108, 24.28.110, 24.28.111, and 24.28.112 pertaining to workers' compensation mediation

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED ADOPTION AND REPEAL

 

            TO: All Concerned Persons

 

            1. On July 19, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., the Department of Labor and Industry (department) will hold a public hearing via remote conferencing to consider the proposed adoption and repeal of the above-stated rules. There will be no in-person hearing. Interested parties may access the remote conferencing platform in the following ways:

            a. Join Zoom Meeting, https://mt-gov.zoom.us/j87665885100;

Meeting ID: 876 6588 5100, Passcode: 280426; or

            b. Dial by telephone, +1 406 444 9999 or +1 646 558 8656;

Meeting ID: 876 6588 5100, Passcode: 280426.

                  

            The hearing will begin with a brief introduction by department staff to explain the use of the videoconference and telephonic platform. All participants will be muted except when it is their time to speak.

 

            2. The department will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in this public hearing or need an alternative accessible format of this notice. If you require an accommodation, contact the department no later than 5:00 p.m., on July 12, 2022, to advise us of the nature of the accommodation that you need. Please contact Theresa McGowan-Sroczyk, Employment Relations Division, P.O. Box 1728, Helena, Montana 59624-1728; telephone (406) 444-1389, facsimile (406) 444-4140, or Montana Relay Service at 711; or e-mail TSroczyk@mt.gov.

 

            3. GENERAL STATEMENT OF REASONABLE NECESSITY: The department proposes to repeal the current administrative rules pertaining to mediation and adopt new rules.  This proposal is in keeping with efforts to review administrative rules on a periodic basis.  The proposal also furthers the purposes and interests set forth in the Governor's Red Tape Relief Initiative.  As currently codified, the mediation rules are duplicative of statute, set forth business processes, and do not always assist users in understanding the mediation process.  The proposed New Rules I through III set forth the information necessary to understand the mediation process, while avoiding these pitfalls.

 

            4. The proposed new rules are as follows:

 

            NEW RULE I REQUESTS FOR MEDIATION (1) A party may request mediation by submitting a request to the department:

            (a) by mail:  Dispute Resolution Section, P.O. Box 8011, Helena, MT 59604;

            (b) by e-mail:  dlierdmediation@mt.gov; or

            (c) through other means specified by the department.

            (2) Electronically submitted documents may bear either a copied manual signature, or an electronic signature.

 

            AUTH: 39-71-2407, MCA

            IMP:     39-71-2411, MCA

 

            NEW RULE II PARTIES (1) The following persons must attend mediation, and may be represented by counsel:

            (a) the claimant;

            (b) any potentially liable insurer or the uninsured employers' fund, through a designated representative; and

            (c) in mediations involving the uninsured employers' fund, any potentially liable employer.

            (2) Failure to attend mediation may result in dismissal or a report designating the party as having failed to cooperate in mediation.

 

            AUTH: 39-71-2407, MCA

            IMP:     39-71-2411, MCA

 

            NEW RULE III MEDIATION PROCESS (1) Mediation must be held within 45 days of receipt by the department of the request for mediation.  The time for mediation may be extended by mutual agreement of the parties and the mediator.

            (2) The department will issue a notice of mediation, setting forth the time and means of mediation.  The notice of mediation will also set forth any documentation or information requests for consideration by the mediator.  The parties may supplement the requested information.

            (3) Mediation may be held by telephone or remote conferencing platform, or by request of the parties and at the discretion of the mediator, by any other means believed to be beneficial in reaching a conciliated outcome.

            (4) The parties may jointly agree to keep open a mediation.

            (5) No more than ten days after the close of mediation, the mediator will set forth a written recommendation for the parties.

 

            AUTH: 39-71-2407, MCA

            IMP:      39-71-2411, MCA

 

            5. The rules proposed to be repealed are as follows:

 

            24.28.101 JURISDICTION

 

            AUTH: 39-71-2407, MCA

            IMP:     39-71-2408, MCA

 

            24.28.102 PARTIES, ATTENDANCE, REPRESENTATION

 

            AUTH: 39-71-2407, MCA

            IMP:     39-71-2411, MCA

 

            24.28.103 REQUESTS FOR MEDIATION

 

            AUTH: 39-71-2407, MCA

            IMP:     39-71-2411, MCA

 

            24.28.104 TIME FRAMES FOR SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES--NOTICES

           

            AUTH: 39-71-2407, MCA

            IMP:     39-71-2411, MCA

 

            24.28.105 MOTIONS TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO MEET SETTLEMENT REQUIREMENTS

 

            AUTH: 39-71-2407, MCA

            IMP:     39-71-2411, MCA

 

            24.28.106 MEDIATION CONFERENCES

 

            AUTH: 39-71-2407, MCA

            IMP:     39-71-2411, MCA

 

            24.28.107 ROLE OF MEDIATOR--UNREPRESENTED CLAIMANT

 

            AUTH: 39-71-2407 MCA

            IMP:     39-71-2411 MCA

 

            24.28.108 MEDIATOR'S REPORT--RECOMMENDATION

 

            AUTH: 39-71-2407, MCA

            IMP:     39-71-2409, 39-71-2411, MCA

 

            24.28.110 NOTICE TO MEDIATOR WHEN DISPUTE SETTLED

           

            AUTH: 39-71-2407, MCA

            IMP:     39-71-2411, MCA

 

            24.28.111 TIME-COMPUTATION UNDER MEDIATION RULES

 

            AUTH: 39-71-2407, MCA

            IMP:     39-71-2411, MCA

 

            24.28.112 FILE INFORMATION

 

            AUTH: 39-71-2407, MCA

            IMP:     39-71-2411, MCA

           

            6. Concerned persons may present their data, views, or arguments either orally or in writing at the hearing. Written data, views, or arguments may also be submitted to Theresa McGowan-Sroczyk, Employment Relations Division, P.O. Box 1728, Helena, Montana 59624-1728; facsimile (406) 444-4140, or e-mail TSroczyk@mt.gov, and must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., July 22, 2022.

 

            7. The department maintains a list of interested persons who wish to receive notices of rulemaking actions proposed by this agency. Persons who wish to have their name added to the list shall make a written request, which includes the name and e-mail or mailing address of the person to receive notices and specifies the particular subject matter or matters regarding which the person wishes to receive notices. Such written request may be mailed or delivered to the contact person in paragraph 2 above or may be made by completing a request form at any rules hearing held by the agency.

 

            8. The bill sponsor contact requirements of 2-4-302, MCA, do not apply.

 

            9. Pursuant to 2-4-111, MCA, the department has determined that the rule changes proposed in this notice will not have a significant and direct impact upon small businesses.

 

            10. Department staff has been designated to preside over and conduct this hearing.

 

 

 

/s/ QUINLAN L. O'CONNOR

Quinlan L. O'Connor

Alternate Rule Reviewer

/s/ LAURIE ESAU

Laurie Esau, Commissioner

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY

 

 

            Certified to the Secretary of State June 14, 2022.

 


 

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