Montana Title 7. Local Government § 7-33-4124. Suspension procedure

(1) In any case in which a member of the municipal fire department is suspended from duty, the person suspended must be furnished with a copy of the charge, in writing, setting forth the reasons for the suspension. Subject to subsection (2), the suspended member of the fire department may request in writing that the charges be presented to the council or commission for a hearing. The hearing must be held within 30 days of the request. The suspended member may invoke the right of privacy to request a closed hearing. At the hearing, the suspended member of the fire department may appear in person or by counsel and provide a defense against the charges.

(2) If the suspended member of the fire department does not request a hearing by the council or commission within 5 business days of receiving the suspension charge, the suspended member forfeits the option of requesting a hearing by the council or commission.

(3) If the charges are not presented before the council or commission within 30 days of the request for a hearing or if the council or commission determines the charges to be unfounded, the suspended person must be reinstated and is entitled to the person's usual compensation for the time of the suspension.

(4) If the charges are proven by the council or commission, the council or commission, by a vote of a majority of the whole council or commission, may impose a penalty commensurate to its determination of what the offense warrants, including either the continuation of the suspension for a limited time or the removal of the suspended person from the fire department.