HB 499 extends Montana's Grow Your Own Grant Program through 2029 (previously ending in 2027) and expands eligibility to include postsecondary institutions like universities and tribal colleges. The bill allows these institutions to receive grants to develop teacher training pathways, removes a requirement to convert student grants into loans if recipients don't teach in shortage areas, and revises credit requirements for high school students. It directly affects rural and reservation school districts facing teacher shortages, postsecondary institutions developing education programs, and students pursuing teaching careers through the program. The legislation includes a $500,000 appropriation for the 2025-2027 biennium to support these expanded grant opportunities.
HB 340 would have created Montana's BEST (Bolstering Educators' Support and Training) program to support teachers in their first three years of teaching. It required pairing new teachers with experienced mentors, providing $2,500 stipends for mentors and $600 stipends for new teachers (with $300 contributed by their school district), and allocating $1 million annually from state funds. The program aimed to improve teacher retention and student outcomes through structured training, regional gatherings, and data collection, with special focus on "impacted schools" as defined in existing law. The bill was vetoed by the Governor on June 19, 2025, so it did not become law.
HB 551 would have created a state program to replace funding for Montana school districts that eliminate small copayments for reduced-price school lunches and breakfasts. It aimed to remove financial barriers for families meeting federal income eligibility (for low-income meals) by providing $600,000 annually starting in 2025 to offset lost revenue. The bill required the state superintendent to administer the program and adopt rules, with funding intended to cover districts voluntarily removing fees. However, the bill was vetoed by the governor on June 19, 2025, so it did not become law.
HB 339 would change Montana's school funding formula to provide 6th graders in accredited middle schools with the same per-pupil funding rate as 7th and 8th graders - currently, 6th graders receive lower elementary school funding. The bill amends Montana Code Sections 20-9-306 and 20-9-311 to eliminate this disparity, directly affecting school districts operating middle schools with 6th graders. It aims to align funding with accreditation standards, enabling middle schools to offer expanded programs like career and technical education. The policy change would adjust state education funding calculations for these districts without altering school structures.
SB 526 establishes a grant program to fund tribal colleges in Montana developing community health aide and dental health aide training programs. The program provides up to $3 million per institution, including a $1 million startup grant and $500,000 annually for four years, to expand or create education programs qualifying graduates for federal certification. Tribal colleges receiving grants must report annually on program outcomes, including graduates, provider certifications, patient access metrics, and cost-effectiveness. The bill directly affects tribal colleges and aims to address healthcare disparities in American Indian and Alaska Native communities by increasing local provider capacity. It allocates $1.5 million from the general fund for the 2025-2027 biennium to support this initiative.
SB 521 directs Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services and Office of Public Instruction to create a plan expanding mental health education to all public schools. The plan must include specific elements like curriculum design, funding support strategies, data collection methods, and cost estimates for addressing issues like bullying, suicide, and substance use. All public schools in Montana would be directly affected if the plan is implemented. The bill requires progress reports by September 2025 and a final plan by May 2026. It mandates the development of a roadmap but does not provide immediate funding or require schools to adopt the program.
SB 407 would have prohibited public schools in Montana from displaying flags, banners, or symbols promoting social or political causes on school property, while requiring the display of the national motto "In God We Trust" in every classroom. The bill specified that the motto must appear on a minimum 8x10 inch poster or plaque with clear, readable text, and allowed schools to use district funds or donations for this purpose. It also amended existing law to clarify that displaying the motto does not violate rules against distributing sectarian materials. The bill died in committee on May 23, 2025, and is not active legislation.
SB 478 would require Montana's public universities to cover medical costs for students who develop specific vaccine-related health conditions after receiving mandated COVID-19 vaccinations. Students would need to submit proof of vaccination (to comply with school attendance rules), a medical diagnosis of one of five listed conditions (like heart inflammation or blood clotting disorders), and cost records to their institution for reimbursement. The bill covers diagnosis, treatment, and lost wages related to those conditions, as defined by the Board of Regents. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and did not become law.
SB 451 would revise Montana's public library laws to define and limit the services libraries can offer. It requires all free public libraries to provide only services directly tied to core functions, such as access to books and digital resources, educational programs, technology access, literacy support, and community meeting spaces. The bill explicitly prohibits libraries from offering services unrelated to these core purposes, like commercial activities or political events. This law would apply to all Montana free public libraries, ensuring their services align strictly with traditional library roles.
Montana's SB 396 requires public libraries to place all resources containing sexual or graphic sexual content exclusively in young adult or adult sections, regardless of the material's intended age group. Community members can object to a resource's placement, prompting the library to move it to the required section. Libraries must also restrict children's access to digital content with sexual or graphic material to parental discretion. The bill directly affects Montana public libraries, their governing boards, and community members, but died in committee in May 2025.
SB 210 would eliminate the statutory requirement for Montana's Board of Regents to include a student regent in its membership. Currently, the law mandates one seat for a full-time college student with a one-year term, appointed through a nomination process. The bill deletes this provision, meaning the Board would no longer need to appoint a student member. A transition plan requires the governor to appoint a replacement for the vacated position until January 2030, after which regular 7-year appointments would resume.
SB 507 would revise Montana's school and public library standards by prohibiting the exclusion of books from school libraries based on the creator's background, views, or partisan/ideological disapproval. It requires school districts to adopt policies for handling book objections (ensuring materials remain available during review) and mandates public libraries to ban viewpoint-based removals of materials. The bill also establishes reporting requirements for both school and public library challenges to the state superintendent or librarian. These changes directly affect school districts, public libraries, and their governing boards in Montana, aiming to protect access to diverse library resources.
