HB 252, known as the STARS Act, revises state school funding laws to support students and school staff. It enhances the school funding formula by offering incentives to increase teacher base salaries and encourage resource sharing among school districts. The bill also provides increased budget authority for districts with high housing costs and restores full funding to the Advanced Opportunities program. Additionally, it establishes a new "Future Ready" funding component for K-12 schools focused on postgraduation preparation and includes certain district clerks and staff with emergency authorizations in educator funding.
SB 181 generally revises Montana's Indian Education for All laws to strengthen the state's commitment to preserving American Indian cultural integrity. The bill requires all certified school personnel and students to receive instruction in American Indian studies, emphasizing tribal consultation and the use of Indian language and cultural specialists. It places additional accountability and reporting requirements on the Board of Public Education, the Office of Public Instruction, and school districts, particularly regarding the financial oversight of state funds for these programs. This legislation aims to improve the delivery and accountability of American Indian education across Montana's public education system.
HB 553, titled "Generally revise military higher education act," updates laws related to higher education for military members. It requires faculty at educational institutions to provide eligible students with a make-up opportunity for coursework, assignments, exams, or finals missed due to inactive duty training or annual training. Faculty must give at least 15 business days for students to complete this make-up work, consistent with accreditation requirements. The bill also defines "inactive duty training" and "annual training" to support these provisions, affecting members of the U.S. armed forces reserve components or the Montana national guard enrolled in higher education.
SB 486 revises the funding mechanism for the Montana Special Needs Equal Opportunity Education Savings Account program. Currently, resident school districts are required to remit a portion of their state education aid to the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) for students participating in the program. This bill allows a school district to elect to have the OPI pay this remittance amount in the first year a student participates in the program within that district. If this option is chosen, the OPI will later reduce the school district's state aid payment by the initial amount, adjusted for inflation, once the student is no longer participating in the program in that district.
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.
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.
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.
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.
SB 369 strengthens youth suicide prevention efforts in Montana schools by revising existing laws. It requires the Office of Public Instruction to ensure low-cost and no-cost options for youth suicide awareness and prevention training for schools. Employees of school districts and certain Office of Public Instruction staff who work directly with students must complete at least one hour of this training every three years. School districts are also required to include these training requirements in their suicide prevention and response policies.
SB 177 authorizes the Community Choice School Commission to seek and receive public funding. The bill also clarifies the commission's existing ability to accept and spend gifts and donations from private individuals and entities. These changes directly impact the financial operations of the Community Choice School Commission, which is responsible for approving authorizers for choice schools across the state. This allows the commission to broaden its sources of financial support.
