Revise education laws related to diversity, equity, and inclusion
HB 663 prohibits Montana public universities and eligible educational institutions from considering race, color, ethnicity, or national origin in admissions, hiring, scholarships, financial aid, or program participation. The bill bans using applicant or student demographic data for decisions and requires institutions to withhold such information from admissions officers until decisions are final. It creates a private right to sue for violations, including a fixed $4,000 statutory penalty per violation, plus compensatory or punitive damages, and waives state immunity for such cases. The bill, which stalled in committee in May 2025, would have taken effect October 1, 2026, if enacted.
Bill status
died
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 22, 2025
Last action May 22, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons
What changed between versions
HB0663_2(4).pdf
→
HB0663_2(5).pdf
·
4 edits
MODERATE
The bill establishes a private right of action allowing individuals to sue institutions of higher education and their employees for violations of the section. It defines who can be sued (the institution and its officers, employees, or agents) and outlines the potential recovery of statutory damages. The bill also clarifies that the state waives its sovereign immunity in these actions and defines 'institution of higher education' to include the Montana university system and eligible educational institutions.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to explicitly allow private lawsuits against both the institution and its individual staff members, whereas previous versions may have been less clear on individual liability.
ENFORCEMENT
Created a new private cause of action allowing individuals to sue institutions of higher education directly for violations.
Extended liability to individual officers, employees, or agents of the institution, not just the institution itself.
Stated that the state waives sovereign immunity for actions brought under this section.
DEFINITION
Defined 'institution of higher education' to specifically include the Montana university system and eligible educational institutions.
Floor votes · House Mar 7, 2025
How they voted
58–41
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 100
Mar 7, 2025
D
Democratic42
97% Nay
R
Republican58
98% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
28
Key actions
3
Committee
4
Amendments
1
Apr 8, 2025
Amended
(S) Tabled in Committee - (S) Education and Cultural Resources
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Committee
(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Education and Cultural Resources
upper
Mar 7, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (58-41-1)
house
Mar 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Report - (H) Education
lower
Mar 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Education
lower
Feb 22, 2025
Committee
(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Education
lower
Feb 22, 2025
Introduced
(H) Introduced
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Kerri Seekins-Crowe
RRepublican
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