Education

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 13, 2025

LC 967: Require open meetings and records for education membership organizations

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill promotes transparency in education membership organizations receiving public funds, enhancing accountability and public trust in educational governance.75% confidence

Tags Government Transparency

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 10, 2025

LC 372: Generally revise privacy laws

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens privacy protections for students and educational data, enhancing security and trust in educational technology and student records management.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens privacy protections for students and consumers by updating data collection and management requirements, enhancing cybersecurity and digital rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 24, 2025

LC 3476: Revise equal opportunity education savings account funding

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allows state to fund special needs education savings accounts, increasing support for students with disabilities through school finance mechanisms.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allows state funding for special needs education savings accounts, expanding financial support for students with disabilities in K-12 education.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 7, 2025

LC 2814: Revise teacher stipends for national board certification

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases funding for teacher stipends and supports education programs, aligning with advancing public services and funding essential programs.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill increases teacher stipends for National Board Certification, with higher amounts for high-poverty schools, directly supporting educators and improving educational quality.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 23, 2025

LC 1412: Revise emergency use of epinephrine in school setting to include nasal spray

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands emergency medical access for students in schools, enhancing student safety and educational environment by allowing epinephrine nasal spray use.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands access to emergency allergy treatment in schools by allowing nasal spray epinephrine, improving patient safety and healthcare access for students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Healthcare Workforce

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 18, 2025

LC 856: Revise qualifications for teachers of adult basic education or high school equivalency programs at state correctional institutions

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes correctional education program to provide inmates with education opportunities, which promotes rehabilitation and reduces recidivism.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes correctional education program to provide inmates with high school equivalency and adult basic education opportunities, expanding educational access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections K-12 Education

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 10, 2025

LC 2078: Eliminate statutory reference to the adult basic education fund and its distribution

This bill removes the legal reference to the Adult Basic Education Fund from Montana state law. It directly affects the Montana Code Annotated by repealing Section 20-7-712, which previously governed the fund and its distribution. The change eliminates the statutory requirement for maintaining and distributing this specific education fund. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025, and does not create new funding or programs but simply updates the legal code.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill eliminates statutory reference to Adult Basic Education Fund, effectively defunding this education program by removing legal requirements for its maintenance and distribution.85% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill eliminates statutory reference to Adult Basic Education Fund, effectively defunding and removing legal support for adult education programs within the education system.85% confidence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 18, 2025

LC 1143: Revising property taxation for certain local government subdivisions

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill modifies property tax system to enable financial reimbursement between school districts, supporting school finance and equitable funding for education services.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates financial reimbursement mechanism for school districts when students attend neighboring schools due to geographic barriers, supporting equitable school funding and educational access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 15, 2025

LC 1377: Establish state policy on evidence-based reading instruction

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates evidence-based reading instruction to improve student literacy outcomes and educational quality in Montana schools.95% confidence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 18, 2025

LC 1781: Eliminate reduced-price copayments for school lunch and breakfast

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $600,000 from general fund to support school districts eliminating reduced-price meal copayments, directly funding essential education services for low-income families.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides state funding to eliminate copayments for school meals, expanding access to nutrition programs for students and supporting school districts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Student Health

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