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

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 361: Provide funding to school districts for English language learners

House Bill 361 sought to establish state funding for school districts serving English language learners and provide professional stipends for their teachers. It proposed state matching funds for public school districts that receive federal subgrants for programs supporting students with limited English proficiency. The bill also aimed to provide annual stipends of up to $500 for qualified teachers holding specific certifications in English as a Second Language or culturally and linguistically diverse education. Teachers meeting these qualifications and working in high-poverty or impacted schools could receive an enhanced stipend of up to $1,000, with both the state and school districts contributing to these payments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funding for ELL programs and teacher stipends under school finance appropriations, directly advancing budgetary support for education services.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides state funding for ESL programs and $500 teacher stipends, directly advancing educational support for language learners and teachers in K-12 schools.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationFunds ELL programs, directly supporting immigrant students' educational access and integration, aligning with 'provides immigrant services' indicator.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HJ 36: Resolution in support of instruction in reading and writing in cursive

HJ 36 is a non-binding resolution encouraging Montana's public school districts to provide cursive writing instruction to students, primarily affecting K-12 students and school administrators. It urges schools to introduce cursive as early as developmentally appropriate and maintain exposure throughout a student's education, citing cognitive benefits and the importance of reading historical documents like the Declaration of Independence. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to share it with education officials but does not mandate or fund cursive instruction. It died in committee in May 2025 and remains a symbolic gesture, not a law.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEncourages cursive instruction in K-12 curriculum, promoting cognitive benefits and historical document literacy as part of educational standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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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

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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 845: Increase IRC 529 education savings income tax deduction

HB 845 increases the state income tax deduction for individuals contributing to Family Education Savings Accounts (529 plans). Beginning in tax year 2025, the maximum annual deduction for these contributions will rise from $3,000 to $4,500. The bill also establishes an inflation factor to adjust this maximum deduction amount in subsequent tax years based on the consumer price index. These changes apply retroactively to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024, for contributions made to accounts owned by the contributor, their spouse, or a Montana resident child or stepchild.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax deduction for 529 education savings, providing direct tax relief to individuals through higher annual deduction ($3k→$4.5k) and inflation adjustment.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases tax deduction for 529 education savings, directly incentivizing higher education affordability and access through expanded tax benefits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 745: Require background checks for certain school employees and volunteers

HB 745 revises school laws to enhance student safety by requiring new policies and background checks. It mandates that school districts adopt a student protection policy, which includes conducting fingerprint-based national criminal history background checks. These checks are required for any individual, regardless of employment status, who may have unsupervised contact with students. The bill also requires background checks for educator licensure, and non-compliant districts must submit a correction plan to the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates fingerprint-based criminal history background checks for school staff/volunteers, directly using law enforcement tools to enhance student safety and prevent access by individuals with criminal records. Explicitly categorized under La...90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates background checks for school staff/volunteers to enhance student safety, directly protecting educational environments per bill's safety focus.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 846: Revising property taxation for certain local government subdivisions

HB 846 revises property taxation for school districts by establishing a system of "reconciliation payments" between them. These payments apply when a student, defined as an "isolated pupil," resides in one school district but attends school in a contiguous district because geographic conditions prevent access to the resident district's services. A school district educating an isolated pupil can petition the county superintendent for a payment from the pupil's resident district, provided specific financial and geographic criteria are met. If approved, the resident school district is required to levy a property tax to make this reconciliation payment, reimbursing the attending district for the isolated pupil's education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates reconciliation payments for school districts educating isolated pupils due to geographic barriers, ensuring funding follows students and supporting educational access.80% 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