Education

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 21, 2025

LC 1320: Revise education laws related to diversity, equity, and inclusion

This bill prohibits institutions of higher education in Montana from considering race, color, ethnicity, or national origin when making decisions about admissions, hiring, scholarships, or financial aid. It requires universities to keep applicant demographic data confidential until final decisions are made and bans the use of aggregated demographic data in these processes. The legislation creates a private legal cause of action that allows individuals to sue universities for violations, with provisions for compensatory, punitive, and statutory damages, while also waiving the state's sovereign immunity. The law would take effect on October 1, 2026, applying to the Montana university system and eligible educational institutions.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts educational access by prohibiting consideration of race, color, ethnicity, or national origin in admissions, hiring, and financial aid decisions at higher education institutions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 15, 2025

LC 1212: Generally revise laws related to public charter schools

This bill revises Montana's public charter school laws by clarifying definitions and streamlining the application process. It requires the Office of Public Instruction to provide fiscal analysis during charter school applications and directs the Board of Public Education to limit costs while prioritizing proposals focused on personalized and proficiency-based learning. The legislation also removes the board's ability to waive statutory requirements in charter contracts and allows charter school districts to access public funding and donations through the Innovative Education Tax Credit Program. Additionally, it establishes financial obligations for a child's resident school district when serving students with disabilities through a charter school district.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill streamlines charter school applications and prioritizes personalized/proficiency-based learning, enhancing educational access and quality.75% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice School Funding

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 15, 2025

LC 262: Create the student and teacher advancement for results and success act (STARS)

This bill revises Montana's school funding laws by creating new financial incentives and adjusting how districts receive state aid. It directly affects school districts, teachers, and administrative staff by establishing a new "Future Ready" funding component focused on postgraduate preparation and expanding eligibility for certain educator funding programs. Key provisions include increasing budget authority for districts facing high housing costs, renaming the Quality Educator Funding component, and adding requirements for district clerks to perform specific financial and administrative duties. The legislation also sets a minimum student enrollment threshold for elementary districts seeking to expand into K-12 districts and requires the Legislative Fiscal Analyst to create a school funding data dashboard.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases school funding through new financial incentives and budget authority adjustments for districts, directly strengthening state education budget allocations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill increases school funding, creates new financial incentives for districts, expands educator funding programs, and focuses on postgraduate preparation for students.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Teachers

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 22, 2025

LC 4232: Revise laws relating to the adult basic education fund and distribution.

This bill transfers the Montana Adult Basic Education Fund from the Office of Public Instruction to the Department of Labor and Industry. It allows the new department to distribute funds to school districts, community colleges, tribal colleges, public libraries, and community-based organizations for adult education programs. The law also requires the Secretary of State to notify federally recognized tribal governments in Montana about this change, which takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill reorganizes adult education funding administration to better distribute funds to schools, colleges, and community organizations, strengthening educational program funding.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill reorganizes adult education funding to expand access through multiple institutions including libraries and community organizations, strengthening educational opportunities.75% confidence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 29, 2025

LC 1788: Provide funding for middle school career and technical education

This bill allocates $100,000 from the state general fund to support career and technical education programs in Montana's middle schools and junior high schools. The Superintendent of Public Instruction will distribute these funds to accredited school districts and establish rules for how the money is allocated, ensuring it is not limited by school size. The state funding is intended to supplement existing federal Perkins grants and expand access to career exploration courses for middle grade students. The appropriation is designated as a base funding level that may continue in future legislative sessions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $100,000 from state general fund to fund middle school career and technical education programs, directly supporting public education spending.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $100,000 to expand career and technical education programs in middle schools, directly increasing funding and educational access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education School Funding

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 20, 2025

LC 4370: Revise human rights laws to prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion programs

This bill would prohibit state and local government agencies in Montana from funding, establishing, or supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. It specifically bans spending public money on such initiatives, requires employees to participate in them, or creates offices dedicated to coordinating these programs. The legislation defines diversity, equity, and inclusion programs narrowly as those requiring employee participation in training or activities focused on power structures, privilege, or specific social theories related to race, gender, and identity. The bill includes exceptions for programs required by federal law, court orders, or certain constitutional educational goals, while allowing agencies to continue offering sexual harassment training and compliance offices.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts DEI programs which often support diversity in law enforcement and improve accountability, limiting criminal justice reform efforts.90% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts funding for DEI programs in education, limiting school initiatives focused on equity and inclusion.85% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill restricts DEI programs which support workplace equity and inclusion, limiting protections for diverse workers and reducing workplace standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 24, 2025

LC 3376: Authorize speech-language pathology aides and audiology aides

This bill authorizes the creation of speech-language pathology aides and audiology aides in Montana without requiring them to hold a professional license. Under the new rules, these aides must work under the supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist for at least 20% of their time and cannot perform tasks requiring independent clinical judgment. The bill gives the professional licensing board authority to establish specific qualifications and define the scope of work for these support staff members. This change aims to expand access to support services while maintaining oversight through licensed professionals.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational support by authorizing speech-language pathology and audiology aides, improving access to specialized services for students without requiring full licensure for aides.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands healthcare workforce by creating new aide roles, improving patient access to speech and hearing services without restricting existing professional standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 24, 2025

LC 2904: Prohibit dispensing of menstrual products in school male-designated restrooms

This bill prohibits public schools and universities in Montana from providing menstrual product dispensers in male-designated restrooms. It requires existing dispensers in those restrooms to be removed within 60 days of the bill's effective date. The law defines menstrual products as items like tampons and pads, and designates bathrooms based on biological sex, while allowing menstrual products to remain available in female-designated restrooms and health centers. State education officials are tasked with enforcing compliance, with funding withheld from institutions that fail to remove dispensers within 30 days of notice.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts access to menstrual products in school restrooms, limiting educational support services for students regardless of gender identity.85% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill restricts access to menstrual products in male-designated restrooms, limiting healthcare access for transgender and non-binary individuals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 28, 2025

LC 1116: Revise TRS laws related to reemployment

This bill allows retired teachers from Montana's Teachers' Retirement System to return to full-time work for the Superintendent of Public Instruction without losing their retirement benefits. To qualify, retirees must have at least 27 years of service and have received retirement payments for at least two months, while the Superintendent must certify that no qualified non-retired applicants were available for the position. The employer must continue making retirement contributions for these reemployed retirees, and the program is limited to a maximum of five years per individual with a sunset date of June 30, 2031.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allows retired teachers to return to work without losing benefits, supporting educator workforce retention and flexibility.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill allows retired teachers to return to work without losing benefits, expanding employment opportunities and protecting retirement benefits for educators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 6, 2025

LC 1352: Revise the Montana interstate compact on educational opportunities for military children

This bill updates Montana's adoption of the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, which helps students of military families maintain educational continuity when their parents move or deploy. The legislation clarifies how the state commission can calculate annual assessment fees based on the number of military children in Montana and corrects outdated references to federal law. Key provisions require schools to facilitate timely enrollment, transfer education records efficiently, and ensure equal access to programs and extracurricular activities for military children across member states. The bill amends existing state code to formalize these interstate agreements and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens educational continuity for military children by updating interstate compact, ensuring timely enrollment and transfer of education records.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill strengthens educational continuity for military children, supporting veterans' families by ensuring school access during deployments or relocations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment Military Families

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