39-71-2204. Insurer to submit notice of coverage within 30 days -- penalty for failure. (1) The insurer shall, within 30 days after the issuance of a policy of workers' compensation insurance, submit to the department the notice of coverage stating the effective date of the policy insuring the employer and other information that may be required by the department. Notice to the department under this section must be provided electronically.

(2) The department:

(a) may recognize the advisory organization designated under 33-16-1023 or recognize other organizations as agents for authorized workers' compensation insurers in Montana; and

(b) shall, under terms and conditions acceptable to the department, accept notice of coverage received from the agents recognized under subsection (2)(a) as the insurer's notice of coverage.

(3) The department may, in its discretion, assess a penalty of not more than $200 against an insurer that does not comply with the 30-day notice requirement set forth in subsection (1). The penalty may be assessed for each policy that is not reported to the department in a timely manner.