Education

This bill revises voter identification laws, directly affecting all registered voters in Montana by narrowing the types of identification accepted for voting. For in-person voting, it removes student photo identification cards issued by the Montana university system and eliminates the option to combine a document showing name and address with a general photo identification card. For mail-in voting, the bill similarly removes student photo identification cards from the Montana university system from the list of accepted photo ID copies.

This bill updates laws governing school and public library collections in Montana by prohibiting the exclusion or restriction of books based on their creator's background, views, or the material's ideological content. For school libraries, it requires trustees to establish a formal process for handling objections from students, parents, or staff, ensuring challenged materials remain available during review and mandating reports on outcomes to the state superintendent. Public libraries must adopt similar policies administered by the chief librarian, allowing restrictions only for practical reasons like shelf space, pedagogical concerns, or legal compliance, while also requiring challenge reports to be submitted to the state librarian. The legislation aims to create consistent, transparent procedures for managing library collections while protecting access to diverse viewpoints.

This bill allows Montana school districts and public charter schools to hire paid or volunteer chaplains to provide support services to students. Schools that choose to use chaplains must create a policy outlining the services offered, notify parents about availability, and obtain written consent before students participate. The bill requires chaplains to pass background checks, be at least 18 years old, and have good moral character, with their religious affiliations listed publicly on school websites. Additionally, schools may use chaplains to perform duties typically assigned to school counselors, and all chaplains must be certified by the state superintendent of public instruction. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025.

This bill establishes the Montana Hunters and Anglers Community Fund, allowing hunters and anglers to donate an optional amount of $1 or more above their license fees to support rural communities. The Montana Department of Commerce will administer the fund, which can award grants to small communities, schools, and nonprofit organizations for projects like community improvements, food banks, and student activities. A seven-member review board, appointed by state officials and composed of hunters, anglers, and community advocates, will evaluate grant applications. The bill also creates a dedicated state account for the fund and sets rules prohibiting grants for political activities or entities involved in lawsuits.

This bill amends Montana education law to allow school districts and athletic organizations to restrict home school students who are not U.S. citizens from participating in extracurricular activities. The legislation maintains existing protections for home school students who are U.S. citizens, ensuring they cannot be barred from participation solely based on their enrollment status or attendance hours. For all home school students, the bill requires written verification of academic eligibility from their home school educator, with principal verification that excludes student assessments. The changes take effect immediately upon passage and approval.

This bill updates Montana's student data laws to strengthen privacy protections within the statewide K-12 data system. It establishes a "right to be forgotten" allowing students and parents to request deletion of their education data, with specific exceptions for legal compliance, funding requirements, or contracts. The law requires the Office of Public Instruction to provide accessible methods for submitting deletion requests and mandates that data be removed within 45 days, with limited extension options. Additionally, the bill prohibits using Social Security numbers in any unique identifiers that link education and workforce data.

This bill amends Montana's education discrimination laws to clarify protections against sex-based discrimination in schools and universities. It explicitly prohibits educational institutions from allowing males to participate in athletic programs designated for females and requires facilities like restrooms, locker rooms, and sleeping quarters to be accessible only to the designated sex when in use. The legislation includes exceptions for maintenance workers, medical emergencies, natural disasters, and accommodations for people with disabilities, families with young children, or elderly individuals. Additionally, it clarifies that calling or referring to a student by their legal name or sex does not constitute discrimination. These changes update existing statutes to address specific scenarios related to sex-based access and participation in educational settings.

This Montana bill changes how 6th graders in accredited middle schools are funded, raising their per-student funding rate to match that of 7th and 8th graders. Currently, 6th graders receive lower elementary school funding rates while their older middle school peers receive higher high school funding rates. The legislation amends state education code sections to redefine how "basic entitlement" is calculated for districts with accredited middle schools, ensuring 6th graders are counted at the same funding level as grades 7 and 8. This change applies to all Montana school districts that operate accredited middle schools and affects the state's school funding distribution system.

This bill modifies Montana's property tax and school funding laws to lower property taxes while maintaining the current 95 school equalization mills. It establishes fixed amounts for state and county school equalization mills and vocational-technical education mills, and exempts school levies from certain tax rate limitations. The legislation also increases guaranteed tax base multipliers for 2026, adjusts reimbursement rates for school transportation, and requires the Department of Revenue and Office of Public Instruction to report on how property reappraisals affect school funding. Additionally, it updates reappraisal schedules for certain property classes and mandates that taxpayers receive information about property tax trends in annual notices.

This bill requires public school districts in Montana that offer human sexuality instruction to include at least one visual image of a dilation and evacuation abortion performed between 20 and 25 weeks of gestation. The law also mandates that schools provide parents and guardians with at least 48 hours notice before any human sexuality instruction events or materials are introduced, and requires annual notification of the instruction's content and withdrawal rights. Additionally, the bill prohibits schools from accepting or using course materials or instruction from entities that provide abortion services. These changes would directly affect public school curricula and parental notification procedures regarding sexuality education.