Education (Student Health)

SB 211 revises the emergency use of epinephrine in school settings. The bill expands the definition of "medication" that students with asthma, severe allergies, or anaphylaxis can possess and self-administer to include epinephrine nasal spray. It also allows public and nonpublic schools to maintain a stock supply of epinephrine nasal spray, in addition to autoinjectable epinephrine, for emergency administration by school nurses or other authorized personnel. These changes provide schools with additional options for responding to severe allergic reactions.

Montana's LC 1521, "Alyssa's Law," requires all public school districts to implement mobile panic alert systems by July 1, 2027. These systems must connect to emergency call centers, provide real-time location and floor plans to responders during emergencies, and integrate with school personnel for updates. School staff must receive annual training on the system, and the Superintendent of Public Instruction will approve a list of compliant systems meeting specific technical standards. The bill also amends existing law to allow school districts to use safety funds for these systems, including costs for installation and training.

This bill aimed to revise existing incentives under the TEACH Act to raise starting salaries for new teachers in public schools. It proposed modifying current funding mechanisms to provide increased financial support for school districts hiring entry-level educators. The bill did not advance beyond the drafting stage and was formally marked "Draft Died in Process" on May 24, 2025. As a result, no policy changes were implemented.

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.