Education

died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 262: Establish state policy on evidence-based reading instruction

HB 262 sought to establish a state policy requiring early literacy instruction in public schools to be evidence-based and scientifically researched. The bill would have prohibited certain teaching methods, such as those relying on meaning drawn from context, visual cues, or memory, specifically disallowing the three-cueing system. Instead, it mandated that instruction include specific components like phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. This policy was intended to apply to public schools across the state, with an effective date of July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates evidence-based reading curriculum, banning non-scientific methods like three-cueing system. Strengthens literacy instruction standards in K-12 schools.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 255: Revise online data privacy laws for K-12 pupil records

HB 255 revises Montana's data privacy rules for K-12 student records held by third-party educational technology providers (like apps or cloud services). It requires school districts to include specific privacy protections in contracts with these vendors, such as prohibiting the use of student data for targeted advertising, ensuring data security, and guaranteeing students or parents can access or correct their records. The bill also allows schools to adopt pre-approved model contracts from privacy-focused consortia to simplify compliance. These changes directly affect school districts, educational tech companies, and students whose data is stored or managed through digital platforms.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects student data privacy in K-12 ed tech contracts by banning targeted ads, ensuring security, and enabling data access/correction, directly strengthening educational data safeguards.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires edtech vendors to prohibit student data use for ads, ensure security, and allow data access/correction - strengthening privacy protections for K-12 tech services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 373: Revise lottery proceeds laws to dedicate to education funding

HB 373 aimed to revise the allocation of excess state lottery revenue, dedicating it to education funding instead of the state general fund. The Office of Public Instruction would distribute these funds quarterly to school districts based on a per-quality-educator formula. Districts would deposit these funds into their school flexibility funds, which could be used for various expenditures, including teacher salaries, benefits, housing, technology enhancements, and facility improvements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing lottery revenue to education funding, increasing public service allocation without new taxes or tax changes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill redirects lottery revenue to education funding, earmarked for teacher salaries, benefits, and infrastructure - directly increases school funding allocation.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill dedicates lottery funds for teacher salaries, benefits, and workplace improvements per school district formula, directly funding labor-related employment costs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 381: Provide for educational credit for students volunteering in long term care, nursing home, home care, and child care settings

House Bill 381 allows 11th and 12th-grade students in public and nonpublic schools to earn elective high school graduation credits for paid or voluntary work in certain care settings. Students can earn one elective credit for every 250 hours worked, up to a maximum of two credits, in approved congregate-care or child-care facilities. Schools must establish an application process for students, which includes details about their work and supervision. Additionally, schools may set specific conditions and requirements for the type of work that qualifies for credit. This act will become effective on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables students to earn graduation credits for service work, expanding educational pathways and curricular opportunities in K-12 schools.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 151: Revise educational laws pertaining to recruitment and retention and MSDB

HB 151 revises education laws related to recruitment, retention, and the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind. The bill makes educational sign language interpreters eligible for the quality educator payment and loan assistance program. It also expands the types of educational entities that can receive incentives for meeting starting teacher pay benchmarks and participate in the teacher residency program. Finally, it allows the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind to transport resident students between their homes and the school using a school bus.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMakes sign language interpreters eligible for educator payments, expands teacher pay incentives, and improves accessibility for deaf/blind students at MSDB.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 284: Establish an interim committee to investigate civil rights violations and censorship within the MUS

HB 284 establishes the Montana University System Investigation Committee, composed of six legislators. This committee is tasked with investigating civil rights violations and acts of censorship within the Montana University System. It will gather testimony from students about their experiences or observations at public universities and colleges. The committee will then make findings and recommendations, which will be reported to various state and federal officials. The bill appropriates $13,500 for committee expenses and the committee will conclude its work by December 31, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill investigates censorship and civil rights violations in MUS, protecting academic freedom and educational access within higher education.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 153: Revise laws related to the school funding interim commission.

HB 153 revises the laws governing Montana's School Funding Interim Commission, which is responsible for studying public school educational needs and funding. The bill alters the commission's membership to include various state education officials and sets an April 1 appointment deadline. For the 2025-2026 interim, it creates an "Innovation and Excellence in Education Working Group" to compare Montana's education policies with high-performing systems and develop improvement recommendations. The bill also designates a presiding officer and appropriates $10,000 for early commission activities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates Innovation and Excellence Working Group to compare policies with high-performing systems and develop improvement recommendations, strengthening education policy framework.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 359: Generally revise TRS laws on when retired teachers can return to work after retirement

HB 359 revises the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) laws concerning retired teachers returning to work. It temporarily reduces the required break-in-service period for retired teachers from 150 to 120 days if they retired on or after January 1, 2024. The bill also creates an exception, allowing retired teachers to work for up to 45 days during this break-in-service period specifically to mentor new teachers. These provisions, which also extend existing temporary rules, are effective until June 30, 2029, after which the previous requirements will apply.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill facilitates retired teachers mentoring new educators by reducing break-in-service period, supporting teacher development and retention in schools.85% 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 · 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