This bill updates Montana's adoption of the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, which helps students of military families maintain educational continuity when their parents move or deploy. The legislation clarifies how the state commission can calculate annual assessment fees based on the number of military children in Montana and corrects outdated references to federal law. Key provisions require schools to facilitate timely enrollment, transfer education records efficiently, and ensure equal access to programs and extracurricular activities for military children across member states. The bill amends existing state code to formalize these interstate agreements and takes effect immediately upon passage.
This bill requires education membership organizations and associations composed of public or government entities to keep their meetings and records open to the public. It applies specifically to groups where members are public or government entities that receive public funding, either directly or indirectly. The law mandates that these organizations maintain transparency by making their meetings and records accessible to the public to the same extent as the individual member entities. This provision ensures that organizations formed by public bodies operate with the same level of openness as the public entities themselves.
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Government Transparency
This bill revises Montana's privacy laws to strengthen protections for students and consumers by updating definitions and requirements for how personal information is collected and managed. It directly affects K-12 schools, educational software providers, and consumers by establishing clearer rules for what constitutes protected information, such as student records, biometric data, and sensitive personal details. Key provisions include requiring operators of K-12 online applications to notify consumers when certain information is collected and providing an opt-out option for consumers to control their data. The bill also mandates that the Attorney General post information about consumer rights and responsibilities online and specifies duties for data controllers and third-party service providers. Additionally, it amends several existing sections of the Montana Code Annotated to align with these updated privacy standards.
This bill allows Montana school districts to choose whether the state Office of Public Instruction pays a portion of funding for special needs equal opportunity education savings accounts in the first year of a student's participation. Under current rules, school districts must pay this amount from their general funds, but the new option lets districts have the state cover the initial payment instead. If a district selects this option, the state will later reduce the district's regular funding by the equivalent amount when the student leaves the program, ensuring the total funding remains consistent. The change takes effect on July 1, 2025, and applies only to students participating in the special needs education savings account program.
This bill increases professional stipends for Montana teachers who hold National Board Certification, with higher amounts for those working in high-poverty or impacted schools. Under the new provisions, eligible teachers in regular assignments receive up to $1,500 annually, while those in high-poverty or impacted schools can receive up to $2,500. The state will fund a portion of these stipends, with school districts required to contribute matching funds to reach the maximum amounts. Payments will be distributed by the superintendent of public instruction to eligible school districts, education cooperatives, the Montana school for the deaf and blind, and correctional facilities. The changes take effect on July 1, 2025, and apply to school years beginning on or after that date.
This bill allows schools in Montana to permit students to carry and use epinephrine nasal spray as an emergency treatment for severe allergies, anaphylaxis, or asthma, expanding beyond the current allowance for autoinjectable forms. It requires students to provide written parental authorization, a physician's prescription with dosage and administration instructions, proof of training on proper use, and a written treatment plan before carrying the medication on campus or during school activities. Schools must keep these documents on file and are protected from liability unless injury results from gross negligence or intentional misconduct, while students must report to a school nurse immediately after using epinephrine for follow-up care.
This bill establishes a Montana Correctional Education Program within the Department of Corrections to provide inmates with opportunities to earn high school equivalency diplomas and participate in adult basic education. It sets specific qualifications for instructors, requiring them to be at least 18 years old, of good moral character, and hold either an associate or bachelor's degree, a valid teaching certificate from another state, or prior teaching or military training experience. The legislation explicitly states that instructors do not need to hold a Montana teaching certificate, while allowing the Department of Corrections to create policies determining inmate eligibility for the program.
This bill modifies Montana's property tax system to allow for financial reimbursement between school districts when students from one district attend school in a neighboring district due to geographic barriers. It creates a process where a school district can petition the county superintendent for a reconciliation payment if an isolated pupil from a wealthier district attends their school, requiring a $100 processing fee and annual application. The bill also establishes that when school territory is transferred between districts, the taxable value of that land will be split between both districts for three years to maintain tax equity. Additionally, it provides a legal appeal process for districts that disagree with the county superintendent's determination regarding payment eligibility.
This bill establishes state policy requiring all early literacy instruction in Montana public schools to be based on scientifically researched methods. It prohibits teaching reading strategies that rely on context, pictures, or memory, specifically banning the three-cueing system. Instead, the law mandates that reading instruction include five core components: phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, all taught in a direct and systematic way. The bill defines evidence-based instruction as methods supported by high-quality research showing they improve student outcomes. These requirements become effective on July 1, 2025.
This bill creates a state program to provide replacement funding to Montana school districts that choose to eliminate reduced-price copayments for school lunches and breakfasts. It directly affects families eligible for reduced-price meals under federal programs and school districts administering those meals. The state will distribute up to $600,000 annually from the general fund to cover the costs districts incur when removing these fees from eligible students. The bill also allows the state superintendent to accept private donations and request additional funding if the initial appropriation is insufficient, with the program becoming effective on July 1, 2025.
