HB 638 Montana House · 2025 Regular Session

Revise human rights laws

HB 638 revises human rights laws by prohibiting state and local government agencies in Montana from requiring, requesting, or soliciting "diversity statements." It also prevents these agencies from granting any preferential treatment based on the submission of such statements. A "diversity statement" is defined as one promoting differential treatment based on characteristics like race, sex, or gender identity. The bill includes an exception, allowing agencies to accept or require diversity statements only to the extent mandated by federal law, with consideration limited to federal requirements. This legislation applies to various state and local government entities, including universities and school districts, but does not limit policies necessary to comply with existing anti-discrimination and harassment laws.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Feb 21, 2025 Signed May 5, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 5 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB0638_X(1).pdf HB0638_X(2).pdf · 2 edits
MINOR
The bill text shows minor formatting adjustments and the removal of a document closing marker, but no substantive policy changes. The legislative content regarding diversity statements, exceptions, and definitions remains identical between the two versions.
TECHNICAL

Removed a closing document marker ('END') and blank lines at the end of the text.

Adjusted line breaks and spacing in the title and body text without altering the actual words or meaning.

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

How they voted

3119
Passed
Total votes 50
Apr 15, 2025
D Democratic18
18 Nay
100% Nay
R Republican32
31 Yea 1 Nay
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
42
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 (31-19)
senate
Apr 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Report - (S) Judiciary
upper
Apr 4, 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 (57-41-2)
house
Mar 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Report - (H) Judiciary
lower
Mar 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Judiciary
lower
Feb 22, 2025
Committee
(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Judiciary
lower
Feb 21, 2025
Introduced
(H) Introduced
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Randyn Gregg
Randyn Gregg
RRepublican
MT
78