Education

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 20, 2025

LC 1598: Revise education laws to prohibit certain flags and banners in school and require phrase "In God we trust" displayed in each classroom of a public school

This bill would prohibit the display of flags, banners, or symbols promoting social or political causes on public school property while allowing official flags of the United States, Montana, and the armed forces. It requires every public school classroom to display the national motto "In God We Trust" on an 8x10 inch poster, framed document, or plaque with the text in large, readable font. School districts may use their own funds or accept donations to purchase or receive these motto displays. The bill also clarifies that this display requirement does not violate existing rules against distributing sectarian publications in schools. These changes would take effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts curriculum and academic freedom by prohibiting certain flags/banners and mandates religious motto display in classrooms85% confidence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 20, 2025

LC 1610: Increase access to early literacy targeted intervention programs

This bill expands access to early literacy intervention programs by allowing school districts to count students in these programs toward their enrollment numbers, which determines state funding. It establishes a temporary grant program to help districts create or expand classroom-based early literacy initiatives and clarifies how students in programs with fewer than 180 instructional hours can be included in funding calculations if they demonstrate proficiency in covered content. The legislation also updates how enrollment is calculated for students participating in jumpstart programs and provides specific rules for counting kindergarten enrollment during transitions to full-time programs. These changes directly affect school districts in Montana and aim to increase resources available for early reading support without altering the core structure of existing education laws.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands early literacy programs, increases school funding through enrollment counting, and provides grants for literacy initiatives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 25, 2025

LC 4223: Require free on-campus parking permits for veterans and Montana national guard service members

This bill requires Montana universities to provide free on-campus parking permits to faculty, staff, and students who are veterans or Montana National Guard service members. The legislation mandates that these individuals receive preference when parking permits are issued and must provide proof of their service to qualify. University presidents are authorized to establish specific rules for implementing these parking benefits at each campus unit. The measure directly affects the Montana University System by modifying parking fee policies for eligible service members.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides free parking benefits to veterans and service members at universities, enhancing access and support for student populations.75% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill mandates free parking permits for veterans and National Guard members at Montana universities, directly expanding benefits and recognizing veteran service.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 24, 2025

LC 964: Revise the definition of public school system and requirements of school funding formula

This bill updates Montana's school funding laws by revising the definition of a basic system of free quality public schools and establishing new requirements for how state funding is calculated and distributed. It directly affects Montana public school districts, the state legislature, and all students by mandating that funding formulas account for specific factors such as student needs, open enrollment transfers, and student achievement growth relative to funding increases. Key provisions require the legislature to consider elements like special needs students, American Indian cultural integration, teacher retention, and transparent reporting on how additional funding improves outcomes, while also ensuring the formula includes automatic annual inflation adjustments and equitable distribution across districts. The bill aims to create a more structured and accountable approach to school funding that reflects constitutional requirements for educational equality throughout the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill strengthens school funding formulas and ensures adequate state funding for public education, directly advancing the budget and taxation topic by protecting essential public services.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill updates school funding laws to account for student needs and achievement growth, strengthening financial support for public education.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice School Funding Teachers

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 5, 2025

LC 3223: Revise education laws to support advanced opportunities

This bill establishes a new funding program for Montana school districts to support advanced learning opportunities for students in grades 6 through 12. It creates a role called "advanced opportunity facilitator" who would help connect students with colleges, employers, and community organizations to prepare them for careers and higher education. Districts that develop and implement approved plans for these opportunities can use a portion of their existing quality educator payment funding to pay facilitators and receive additional payments for their work. The bill requires districts to submit applications and annual reports to qualify for funding, with the state board reviewing progress and limiting the number of districts that can receive aid based on available budget.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes new funding program for school districts to support advanced learning opportunities, allowing districts to use existing quality educator payment funding for this purpose.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes new funding for advanced learning opportunities and creates facilitator role to connect students with colleges and employers, expanding educational access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 29, 2025

LC 1220: Provide funding to school districts for English language learners

This bill directs Montana state funding to school districts to support programs for English language learners, addressing a current gap in the state's school funding formula. It provides matching state funds for districts that receive federal grants for English learner programs and establishes annual stipends for teachers with specialized certifications in English as a second language or culturally and linguistically diverse education. Teachers in high-poverty or impacted schools receive higher stipend amounts, with the state covering a significant portion of the payment while districts contribute a smaller share. The legislation appropriates $5 million for program funding and $25,000 for teacher stipends over two fiscal years, with provisions for supplemental funding if initial appropriations are insufficient.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs state funding to school districts for English language learners, establishing matching funds and teacher stipends, which advances public education funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides state funding for English language learner programs and teacher stipends, directly advancing educational access and teacher support.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill provides funding for English language learner programs and teacher stipends, supporting immigrant integration and services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Teachers

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 13, 2025

LC 1665: Emphasize media literacy in legislative goals for education

This bill amends Montana's state education goals to explicitly include media literacy as a priority for public elementary and secondary schools. It requires schools to work with parents to teach students skills for accessing, analyzing, evaluating, creating, and acting using various forms of communication. The legislation also aims to reduce students' vulnerability to disinformation, misinformation, propaganda, and indoctrination. By adding this as a formal legislative goal, the bill ensures media literacy becomes a standard part of the state's educational framework alongside other existing goals like financial literacy and critical thinking.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens education by adding media literacy as a formal goal, enhancing student skills and reducing vulnerability to misinformation.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes media literacy and digital skills to reduce vulnerability to disinformation, strengthening students' technology engagement and critical thinking.75% confidence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 18, 2025

LC 2896: Authorize emergency use of albuterol in a school setting

This bill amends Montana law to allow schools to maintain a supply of stock albuterol for emergency use and to permit students with asthma or severe allergies to carry and self-administer their prescribed medication during school hours and related activities. It defines key terms like "stock albuterol" and "authorized personnel" and requires schools to obtain written parental authorization, physician documentation, and proof of the student's ability to use the medication before allowing self-administration. The legislation also establishes liability protections for schools and their employees, limiting their responsibility to cases involving gross negligence, willful misconduct, or intentional torts. Additionally, the bill requires that all necessary documentation be kept on file and mandates that permissions be renewed annually or when medication conditions change.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access by allowing students with asthma/allergies to self-administer medication in schools, improving health safety and enabling full participation in education.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves patient access to essential asthma medication in schools, allowing students to self-administer prescribed medication and ensuring emergency supplies are available.90% confidence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 3, 2025

LC 1780: Establishing the school mental health promotion pilot program

This bill creates a pilot program to support Montana schools in implementing student-led mental health initiatives. The Office of Public Instruction will administer the program by awarding grants to school districts that demonstrate a specific need for mental health support and show evidence of broad community involvement from students, parents, staff, and local organizations. Each grant will provide between $10,000 and $50,000 for two years, with funds restricted to mental health promotion activities such as counseling access, peer mentoring, schedule modifications, and community-building programs. Participating districts must report annually on how they used the funds and evaluate the program's effectiveness, while the state will provide $250,000 in initial funding to distribute grants starting in 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes funding for student mental health initiatives in schools, expanding support programs and allocating grants to school districts for mental health promotion.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a pilot program with grants to fund student-led mental health initiatives in schools, directly supporting mental health services and access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Dec 18, 2024

LC 1443: Revise laws related to the school funding interim commission.

This bill updates the laws governing Montana's School Funding Interim Commission, which studies and recommends changes to the state's public school funding formula. The commission will be formed every fifth legislative interim, with appointments due by April 1 of each year. For the 2025-2026 session, the commission must first create an Innovation and Excellence in Education Working Group to develop recommendations for improving public schools before conducting its main study. The commission consists of 22 members including legislators, education officials, and public appointees, and will issue a report with findings and potential funding formula changes to the legislature.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes commission to study and recommend improvements to public school funding formula, indicating intent to strengthen education funding and access.75% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

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