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.
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.
HB 591 establishes "Celebrate Freedom Week" in Montana public schools during the last full week of September each year, effective July 1, 2025. This bill requires social studies classes to provide at least three hours of instruction on the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Montana Constitution, including their historical context and impact on American history. Additionally, students in grades 3 through 12 are mandated to recite a specific passage from the Declaration of Independence daily during this week. Exceptions for student recitation are provided for parental requests, conscientious objections, or children of foreign diplomatic representatives.
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.
HB 631 revises student data privacy laws by amending the definition of "K-12 school purposes" in Section 20-7-1324, MCA. This change means that the existing data privacy protections for K-12 online applications will no longer apply to courses taken for postsecondary (college) credit. It also excludes work-based learning courses from these specific K-12 data privacy regulations. This bill aims to remove barriers to postsecondary opportunities by clarifying which educational activities fall under K-12 online application privacy rules.
HB 595 establishes a Montana correctional education program within the Department of Corrections, directly affecting inmates in state prisons by providing opportunities for high school equivalency and adult basic education. The bill outlines specific qualifications for instructors in these programs, requiring them to be at least 18 years old, of good moral character, and possess an associate degree, bachelor's degree, a teaching certificate from another state, or prior teaching experience. It explicitly states that the Department of Corrections cannot require these instructors to hold a Montana teacher certificate. The Department of Corrections is authorized to adopt policies determining which inmates are eligible to participate.
HB 234 extends the period for using funds previously appropriated in 2023 for projects addressing lead in schools. The bill reappropriates specific funds, originally allocated under Section 5, Chapter 763, Laws of 2023, subsection (10). This ensures the appropriations remain available for their original purpose until they are fully spent or the related capital improvement projects are completed. This measure allows schools to continue utilizing these funds for lead remediation efforts without a set expiration date.
HB 357 provides state funding specifically for career and technical education (CTE) programs in middle schools, junior high schools, and 7th and 8th-grade programs. It directs the Superintendent of Public Instruction to annually distribute these funds to eligible elementary and K-12 school districts. The bill appropriates $100,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2027 to support these programs. The Superintendent will adopt rules to ensure equitable distribution and proper use of the funds, enhancing existing federal support without school size restrictions.
