Education

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 8, 2025

LC 46: Provide for display of Ten Commandments in public schools

This bill requires Montana public school districts to display the Ten Commandments in every school building and classroom. It specifies that the display must be an 11x14 inch poster or framed document with the full text printed in a large, readable font. School districts may use their own funds or accept donations to purchase or receive these displays, and the bill explicitly exempts the Ten Commandments from restrictions on sectarian publications. Additionally, the law permits students to read from the Bible during free reading time and allows school days to begin with prayer, while maintaining that no one can be compelled to pray. The changes take effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill mandates religious displays in schools, which restricts educational neutrality and curriculum freedom by introducing sectarian content into public education spaces.85% confidence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 23, 2025

LC 3862: Establish the community health aide provider education grant program

This bill establishes the Community Health Aide Provider Education Grant Program to support tribal colleges in Montana in training community health aide and dental health aide providers to address healthcare access gaps in Native communities. The program allows eligible tribal colleges to receive up to $1 million in startup funding and up to $2 million in annual operating grants for a maximum of four years, totaling $3 million per recipient. Grantees must report on program outcomes including graduation numbers, certification rates, practice locations, and cost-effectiveness to the state commissioner of higher education. The initiative aims to increase the number of culturally responsive healthcare providers who can serve American Indian and Alaska Native populations in rural and urban areas.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes a grant program to fund tribal colleges for vocational education training, directly increasing educational funding and access for Native communities.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes grant program to train healthcare providers and address access gaps in Native communities, directly strengthening healthcare access and funding.95% confidence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 19, 2025

LC 1253: Institute the celebrate freedom week in Montana's public schools

This bill establishes "Celebrate Freedom Week" in Montana public schools, requiring the last full week of September to be dedicated to teaching students about the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Montana Constitution. It mandates at least three hours of social studies instruction during this week covering the historical context and significance of these founding documents, including their connections to American immigration, the Revolutionary War, and subsequent movements for civil rights. Additionally, the bill requires students in grades 3 through 12 to recite the opening paragraph of the Declaration of Independence at the start of each school day, with provisions allowing parents to request exemptions for their children or accommodating students with conscientious objections. The legislation applies to all public school districts in Montana and takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates additional social studies instruction time and curriculum focused on foundational documents, enhancing educational content in public schools.85% confidence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 15, 2025

LC 2332: Revise laws related to tuition waiver laws for American Indian students

This bill updates Montana state law to clarify tuition waiver eligibility for American Indian students and their descendants. It requires that descendants of federally recognized tribes must obtain formal certification of their tribal affiliation from the tribe before receiving tuition waivers, while maintaining existing eligibility criteria for individuals with at least one-fourth Indian blood or enrolled status. The legislation also mandates that the Montana Secretary of State send a copy of the updated law to all federally recognized tribal governments in the state. These changes take effect on July 1, 2025, and apply to students enrolled in the Montana university system.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands tuition waiver eligibility for American Indian students, enhancing educational access and financial support for higher education.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 11, 2025

LC 3017: Encourage academic excellence through high-quality instructional materials

This bill requires Montana's Superintendent of Public Instruction to identify up to five sets of high-quality instructional materials that align with state content standards and estimate the costs for districts to adopt them. It defines high-quality materials as resources that support proficiency-based learning, include built-in professional development, and are vetted by an independent nonprofit partner. If approved by the legislature, the state would provide reduced-cost access to these materials and related teacher training for school districts that choose to adopt them. The law also mandates that economic impact statements for new academic standards include analysis of whether districts can afford and implement the required materials within existing resources.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill promotes high-quality instructional materials, professional development, and proficiency-based learning to enhance educational quality and student outcomes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum School Funding Testing & Assessment

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 18, 2025

LC 1525: Revise student online protection laws related to postsecondary opportunities

This bill updates Montana's student data privacy laws by clarifying definitions related to online platforms used in K-12 education and removing restrictions that could limit postsecondary opportunities. It amends existing statutes to explicitly exclude postsecondary credit courses and work-based learning programs from the definition of K-12 school purposes, allowing students to use certain online applications for college-level work without triggering additional privacy protections. The legislation also refines how "protected information" and "pupil records" are defined to ensure clarity for schools, technology providers, and students regarding what data is covered under privacy rules. By making these definitions more precise, the bill aims to reduce confusion about which online tools and data require special handling while maintaining privacy safeguards for student information.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill removes restrictions on postsecondary opportunities and clarifies definitions to allow college-level work without privacy barriers, expanding educational access.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill clarifies definitions to allow students to use online applications for college work without privacy restrictions, supporting digital access and educational technology integration.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 558: Provide a general statewide sales tax to replace school property taxes

SB 558 proposed replacing school property taxes with a statewide sales tax to fund public schools. It would create a new general sales tax, redirect all revenue to a dedicated school funding account, and repeal existing statewide property tax levies for schools. The bill would directly affect school districts and property taxpayers by shifting funding responsibility from local property taxes to a statewide sales tax, with certain exemptions (like agricultural sales) specified. However, the bill was tabled in committee and died in the legislative process in 2025, so it never became law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill replaces property taxes with statewide sales tax to fund schools, creating dedicated revenue stream for public education via new tax structure.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill redirects sales tax revenue to dedicated school funding account, ensuring stable funding without reducing education budgets per summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Sales Tax School Funding

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signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 869: Provide for the sudden cardiac arrest prevention in youth sports

HB 869, titled "Provide for the sudden cardiac arrest prevention in youth sports," establishes measures to prevent sudden cardiac arrest in youth athletes. It requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop informational resources on cardiac arrest symptoms and risks. Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, schools with athletic programs must implement cardiac emergency response plans, including accessible automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and staff training in CPR and AED use. Coaches will be required to be certified in CPR, first aid, and AED use, and hold informational meetings for parents and athletes. The bill also allows coaches or officials to remove athletes exhibiting cardiac arrest symptoms, who then require written medical clearance to return to play, and clarifies that AED purchases are an allowable expenditure for school safety.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates school athletic safety protocols including AEDs and CPR training, enhancing student protection within educational settings per Schools and Education subject.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires schools to implement cardiac emergency response plans with AEDs and CPR training, directly advancing public health safety measures for youth athletes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 842: Legislative referendum on sales tax to fund education

HB 842 proposed a legislative referendum for Montana voters to decide on establishing a statewide sales tax. If approved by voters, this bill would allow the legislature to enact a sales tax not exceeding 4%. The revenue generated from this sales tax would be exclusively used to reduce property taxes that fund public schools and the Montana university system. The proposed sales tax would apply to final goods and services but include exemptions for necessities such as housing, groceries, fuel, health care, and utilities. The bill was to be submitted to qualified electors at the November 2026 general election for approval.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProposes sales tax to fund education, reducing property taxes on schools/universities, providing tax relief for homeowners and supporting public education funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates sales tax revenue to fund public schools/university system by reducing property taxes, directly advancing school finance through new dedicated funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax

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signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 284: Establish an interim committee to investigate civil rights violations and censorship within the MUS

HB 284 establishes the Montana University System Investigation Committee, composed of six legislators. This committee is tasked with investigating civil rights violations and acts of censorship within the Montana University System. It will gather testimony from students about their experiences or observations at public universities and colleges. The committee will then make findings and recommendations, which will be reported to various state and federal officials. The bill appropriates $13,500 for committee expenses and the committee will conclude its work by December 31, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill investigates censorship and civil rights violations in MUS, protecting academic freedom and educational access within higher education.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education