Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 39. LABOR

CHAPTER 51. UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

Part 1. General Provisions

Declaration Of State Public Policy

39-51-102. Declaration of state public policy. As a guide to the interpretation and application of this chapter, the public policy of this state is declared to be as follows:

(1) Economic insecurity because of unemployment is a serious menace to the health, morals, and welfare of the people of this state.

(2) Involuntary unemployment is, therefore, a subject of general interest and concern that requires appropriate action by the legislature to prevent its spread and to lighten its burden that now so often falls with crushing force upon the unemployed worker and the worker's family. The achievement of social security requires protection against this greatest hazard of our economic life. This can be provided by encouraging employers to provide more stable employment and by the systematic accumulation of funds during periods of employment to provide benefits for periods of unemployment, thus maintaining purchasing power and limiting the serious social consequences of poor relief assistance.

(3) The legislature, therefore, declares that in its considered judgment the public good and the general welfare of the citizens of this state require the enactment of this chapter under the police powers of the state for the compulsory setting aside of unemployment reserves to be used for the benefit of persons unemployed through no fault of their own.

History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 137, L. 1937; R.C.M. 1947, 87-102; amd. Sec. 1525, Ch. 56, L. 2009.