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On January 26, 2026, Montana Governor Mark Thompson signed into law a series of bills that will have a significant impact on members of the military serving in the state. The new legislation, which was passed by the state legislature earlier this month, aims to improve support and protections for service members and their families.One of the key provisions of the new laws is the establishment of a Military Legal Assistance Program. This program will provide free legal services to military members and their families on issues such as estate planning, landlord-tenant disputes, and consumer protection. The program will be operated by the Montana Department of Military Affairs in partnership with local legal aid organizations.Another important change brought about by the new legislation is the expansion of job protections for military members. Under the new laws, employers will be required to provide job protection for service members who are called to active duty for any length of time. This will help ensure that military members do not face discrimination or retaliation in the workplace due to their service obligations.In addition to these key provisions, the new laws also include measures aimed at improving access to mental health services for military members and their families. The legislation allocates funding for additional mental health resources and requires the Montana Department of Military Affairs to develop a comprehensive mental health support plan for service members.Governor Thompson praised the new legislation as a significant step forward in supporting the men and women who serve in the military. "Our service members make tremendous sacrifices to protect our country and our freedoms, and it is our duty to ensure that they have the support and protections they need," he said in a statement.These new laws come at a critical time for military members in Montana, as the state has seen an increase in deployments in recent years. The new provisions are expected to provide much-needed support for service members and their families as they navigate the challenges of military service.Overall, the signing of these new laws represents a positive development for military members in Montana. With improved legal support, job protections, and mental health services, service members can feel more secure in their roles and better able to focus on their important work of defending the nation.