39-71-301. Certificates and certified copies as evidence. (1) Copies of official documents and orders filed or deposited according to law in the office of the department, certified to by a member of the department or by the secretary under the official seal of the department to be true copies of the original, shall be evidence in like manner as the originals.

(2) In any court proceeding wherein the question as to whether or not an employer or employee has complied with and is operating under or bound by the provisions of the Workers' Compensation Act of the state of Montana is a question for determination, a certificate by a member of the department, or by the secretary under the official seal of the department, certifying that such employer or employee has or has not complied with and is or is not operating under and is or is not bound by the provisions of the Workers' Compensation Act of the state of Montana shall be prima facie evidence thereof.