HB 262 Montana House · 2025 Regular Session

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.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status died 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

House Passage

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 20, 2025 Last action May 22, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB0262_2(5).pdf → HB0262_2(6).pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill underwent formatting adjustments to align with official print standards and expanded the introductory 'Whereas' clauses to explicitly capitalize key terms and add detailed language about the benefits of proficient reading skills. These changes clarify the legislative intent to support the science of reading without altering the bill's substantive legal requirements or scope.

TECHNICAL

Capitalization of key terms in the introductory clauses was standardized to ALL CAPS for emphasis and consistency.

Line breaks were adjusted to match the official authorized print version format.

A new clause was added stating that proficient reading skills are linked to better academic outcomes, economic opportunities, and societal engagement.

Floor votes · House Feb 14, 2025

How they voted

94–0

Passed · 6 other

Total votes 100

Feb 14, 2025

D Democratic42

40 Yea 2

95% Yea

R Republican58

54 Yea 4

93% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 20, 2025

Amended

(S) Tabled in Committee - (S) Education and Cultural Resources

upper

Feb 21, 2025

Committee

(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Education and Cultural Resources

upper

Feb 14, 2025

House · Passed

House Vote: pass (94-0-6)

house

Feb 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

(H) Committee Report - (H) Education

lower

Feb 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Education

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Committee

(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Education

lower

Jan 20, 2025

Introduced

(H) Introduced

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors