HB 595 Montana House · 2025 Regular Session

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

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.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Feb 19, 2025 Signed May 5, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB0595_X(2).pdf HB0595_X(3).pdf · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill includes minor formatting adjustments to the title and footer, adds a codification instruction clarifying how the bill fits into existing law, and removes the 'END' marker from the end of the document. These changes are primarily technical and administrative, intended to ensure proper legal integration and document formatting rather than altering the bill's substantive policies.
TECHNICAL

Added a codification instruction specifying that the bill becomes part of Title 53, Chapter 30, Part 1 of the Montana Code Annotated.

Removed the 'END' marker from the end of the document text.

Adjusted spacing and formatting in the title and footer sections.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 15, 2025 · House Mar 7, 2025

How they voted

3713
Passed
Total votes 50
Apr 15, 2025
D Democratic18
5 Yea 13 Nay
72% Nay
R Republican32
32 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
41
Key actions
9
Committee
6
May 1, 2025
Signed into law
(H) Signed by Governor
lower
Apr 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Signed by President
upper
Apr 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Signed by Speaker
lower
Apr 15, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (37-13)
senate
Mar 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Report - (S) Judiciary
upper
Mar 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Judiciary
upper
Mar 14, 2025
Committee
(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Judiciary
upper
Mar 7, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (61-38-1)
house
Feb 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Report - (H) Judiciary
lower
Feb 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Judiciary
lower
Feb 20, 2025
Committee
(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Judiciary
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Introduced
(H) Introduced
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Fiona Nave
Fiona Nave
RRepublican
MT
56