Education

signed · Montana · Senate May 8, 2025

SB 245: Provide for human trafficking awareness training for school bus drivers

Senate Bill 245 requires school bus drivers to complete a specialized training course focused on recognizing and identifying signs of human trafficking. The Office of Public Instruction (OPI) is directed to make these transportation industry-specific training materials available to drivers at no cost. The OPI must source these materials from organizations that have developed free, publicly available resources specifically for school bus drivers. This bill aims to equip school bus drivers with the knowledge to report concerns to appropriate authorities, thereby contributing to child sex trafficking prevention efforts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates trafficking training for school bus drivers (part of school operations) to protect students, enhancing school safety within education context.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 349: Revise TRS laws related to reemployment

HB 349 establishes a temporary program allowing certain retired members of the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) to return to full-time work for the Superintendent of Public Instruction without losing their retirement benefits. To be eligible, retired teachers must have been receiving benefits for at least two months, have 27 or more years of service, and the Superintendent must certify an inability to find a non-retired qualified applicant for the position. These reemployed retirees can work for a maximum of five years and are exempt from standard earnings limits for retirees. The Superintendent of Public Instruction, as the employer, is required to make contributions to the TRS for these individuals. This act is effective immediately and terminates on June 30, 2031.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables experienced retired teachers to return to K-12 roles without losing benefits, supporting educator retention and school staffing needs.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllows eligible retired teachers to return to full-time work without losing retirement benefits, expanding access to employment while preserving worker benefits.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Montana · Senate May 8, 2025

SB 412: Provide for fee waivers of government documents to former foster children

Senate Bill 412 provides fee waivers for certain government documents for individuals who were formerly in foster care and are under 21 years of age. This includes fees for certified birth certificates, driver's licenses, state identification cards, and replacement licenses. Fees for university academic transcripts are also waived, with the Department of Public Health and Human Services authorized to seek federal funds to reimburse the institutions. Individuals can provide an oral attestation to prove eligibility for these waivers.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationWaives university transcript fees for former foster youth, enhancing higher education access as part of educational support for vulnerable students.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 156: Revise education funding laws by replacing school district BASE levies with countywide BASE levies

HB 156 revises public education funding by replacing individual school district property tax levies for base budgets with a single countywide property tax levy. This new countywide levy, supported by state aid, will fund the basic operating expenses for all school districts within a county. The bill also adjusts state guaranteed tax base aid from a district to a county level and reduces required tuition payments. These changes impact school districts, local taxpayers, and revise the duties of school and county officials regarding education funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill replaces district levies with countywide levies supported by state aid, ensuring stable education funding without increasing local tax burdens, aligning with fiscal responsibility and public service funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationReplaces school district levies with countywide system using state aid to fund basic operations, reduces tuition payments, and adjusts state aid to strengthen school financing structure.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 338: Revise laws regarding targeted early numeracy intervention

HB 338 revises Montana laws related to early education interventions for students. The bill expands the focus of these targeted support programs to include early numeracy (math skills) in addition to early literacy (reading skills). It also provides greater flexibility in evaluating children to determine their eligibility for these interventions and updates related reporting requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands early education interventions to include numeracy (math) alongside literacy, strengthening program scope and support for K-12 students.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Montana · Senate May 8, 2025

SB 107: Provide for human trafficking prevention education in public schools

Senate Bill 107 revises education laws to incorporate human trafficking prevention. It establishes a new legislative goal for Montana's public elementary and secondary schools to support instruction on preventing and avoiding child sex trafficking and human trafficking. The bill also requires the Office of Public Instruction to undertake activities to educate Montanans and prevent these issues. These activities include providing educational resources, coordinating with law enforcement, and assisting school districts in developing policies and curricula.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates human trafficking prevention curriculum in public schools, enhancing educational content on safety and rights as part of school instruction requirements.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

passed both · Montana · House May 6, 2025

HJ 53: Request an interim study on school safety

House Joint Resolution 53 requests an interim study to improve school safety across Montana K-12 schools. The Legislative Council is asked to designate a committee to conduct this study, collaborating with various state agencies and educational organizations. The study will examine Montana's current school safety practices, review existing laws and funding mechanisms, and assess the state's implementation of the "Ten Essential Actions to Improve School Safety" recommended by the U.S. Attorney General. The committee's final report, including findings and recommendations, is due to the 70th Legislature by September 15, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill requests study to improve K-12 school safety practices, funding mechanisms, and implementation of safety recommendations, directly advancing educational safety environment.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

signed · Montana · House May 6, 2025

HB 266: Establish education inflation reconciliation process

HB 266 revises the annual inflation adjustments for K-12 public school funding in Montana, directly affecting school districts and the Superintendent of Public Instruction. It updates the method for calculating the inflation factor for various school entitlements, using the Consumer Price Index over a three-year period, with an annual cap of 3%. The bill also establishes a new "inflation reconciliation factor" and requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to submit a biennial report comparing budgeted funding increases with actual inflation. This reconciliation factor will then be incorporated into future funding calculations to ensure base aid accurately reflects inflation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationUpdates inflation adjustment for school funding to maintain real value via CPI-based calculation with 3% cap, preventing budget erosion for K-12 districts.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Montana · House May 6, 2025

HB 251: Generally revise laws related to public charter schools

HB 251 revises laws concerning public charter schools, establishing a definition for "public charter school district" to clarify its governing authority as a non-taxing entity. The bill requires the Office of Public Instruction to provide a fiscal analysis for charter school applications and mandates the Board of Public Education to limit costs for new schools, prioritizing those emphasizing personalized and proficiency-based learning. It removes the Board of Public Education's authority to waive statutory requirements in charter contracts. Additionally, the bill allows public charter school districts to receive other forms of public funding and donations, and defines financial obligations for a child's resident school district when serving students with disabilities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes regulatory framework for charter schools, mandates fiscal analysis, and prioritizes proficiency-based learning - supporting charter school development within education policy.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Montana · House May 5, 2025

HB 509: Revise the quality educator loan forgiveness program to expand eligibility

HB 509 expands Montana's educator loan forgiveness program to cover all newly hired public school teachers in the state, with priority given to those hired in schools designated as "impacted" (where critical teacher shortages exist). It allows eligible teachers to receive up to $5,000 annually in loan repayment assistance over four years ($3,000-$5,000 per year for state-funded aid, plus an additional $5,000 from schools/districts). If funding falls short, the program prioritizes teachers in impacted schools and prorates payments proportionally among them. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to applications submitted on or after that date.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands loan forgiveness for teachers, providing up to $5,000/year in aid to attract educators, especially in shortage areas, directly funding teacher retention.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education