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Educational policy affects all of our Montana students and families. This is a transparent portal for all educational updates during the 68th legislative session offered to legislators, parents, and families.

To our legislators: Remember families are the foundation of learning as our parents are the first teachers. Our Montana students are our most precious resource and the future of this great state. Thank you for putting our Montana students and families first as you reflect on educational policies during the session.

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Upcoming Events

Local Accountability: How Recent Legislation Affects Families, Students, and Communities.

All discussions will take place from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM via Zoom and will be moderated by the Office of Public Instruction's Chief Legal Counsel.

The discussions times and topics are:

June 21, 2023 - Comparing Charter School Bills: Public Charter Schools (HB 549) and Community Choice Schools (HB 562)

Recording | Meeting Agenda | Comparison of Charter School Bills

July 26, 2023 - Discussing Obscenity (HB 234), Notification Requirements (HB 744), and Religious Freedom (HB 745)

Recording | Meeting Agenda | Legislation Summary

August 23, 2023 - Special Needs Equal Opportunity Act (HB 393)

Recording | Meeting Agenda | Legislation Summary

September 20, 2023 - Parental Rights (HB 676 and SB 518)

Meeting Agenda

October 25, 2023

Meeting Agenda | Legislation Summary

November 29, 2023

Meeting Agenda | Legislation Summary

December 13, 2023

Meeting Agenda | Legislation Summary

Additional discussions will take place during the fall.

Join each meeting here

Superintendent Arntzen's Legislator Awards

Superintendent's Award for Influence in Education

Representative Jodee Etchart

Representative Jodee Etchart
Bilings, MT

Representative Ue Vinton Headshot

Representative Sue Vinton
Billings, MT

Representative Mike Hopkins

Representative Mike Hopkins
Missoula, MT

Representative David Bedey Headshot

Representative DAvid Bedey
Hamilton, MT

Representative Jedediah Hinkle

Representative Jedediah Hinkle
Belgrade, MT

Senator Fuller Headshot

Senator Fuller
Kalispell, MT

Rep. Windy Boy Headshot

Representative Windy Boy
Box Elder, MT

Senator Theresa Manzella Headshot

Senator Theresa Manzella
Hamilton, MT

Montana Hope Awards

Representative Bob Keenan Headshot

Representative Bob Keenan
Bigfork, MT

Representative Seekins-Crowe Headshot

Representative Seekins-Crowe
Billings, MT

Representative Seekins-Crowe Headshot

Representative Naarah Hastings
Billings, MT

Montana Teach Awards

Representative Fred Anderson Headshot

Representative Fred Anderson
Great Falls, MT

Representative Marta Bertoglio Headshot

Representative Marta Bertoglio
Clancy, MT

Representative Shannon O'Brien Headshot

Representative Shannon O'Brien
Missoula, MT

Montana Learn Awards

Representative Braxton Mitchell Headshot

Representative Braxton Mitchell
Great Falls, MT

Representative Greg Kmetz Headshot

Representative Greg Kmetz
Miles City, MT

Representative Bob Phalen Headshot

Representative Bob Phalen
Lindsay, MT

Montana Ready Awards

Representative Greg Oblander Headshot

Representative Greg Oblander
Billings, MT

Representative Becky Beard Headshot

Representative Becky Beard
Elliston, MT

Archived 68th Legislative Session Information

68th Legislative Transmittal Packet 68th End-of-Session Wrap-Up

68th Session Priority Legislation

1. A Promise is a Promise:
Base Aid requirements to fund Public Schools.

2. Teacher Dollars Working for Teachers:
Teacher Licensing fees supporting the teacher licensing system.

3. Updating Audiology Equipment:
One-time-only funding.

4. Student Mental Health:
Amending mental health tuition payments to allow tuition for any residential mental health.

Further OPI Legislation

Family	Teacher	Flexibility	Elections
Immunity for use of a legal name	Consolidate licenses to three types: teacher, administrator, and specialist	State-tribal education compact	Move school elections to the primary election date
Montana Interstate Children's Compact Commission Permanent Position	Require current contact information for licensees and applicants	Require textbook content to align to content standards
Identify violation of sexuality instruction statute as a gross neglect of duty	Expand Teach Act	Access to telework employees
Empower families through local grievance process	Move to 8 years in teacher retirement with sunset	Apply open meeting laws to associations composed of public bodies
Digital pre-K learning for kindergarten entrance	Continue the Teacher Residency program	Return Perkins financial control to OPI
		Expand choice for local schools
		Flexible teacher retirement and reemployment
		Career coaches

Previous Meetings and Events

Celebrating Parents as the First Teachers	January 2, 2023	12:00 pm	Capitol Rotunda
Swearing in Ceremony	January 2, 2023	1:00 pm
Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Panel	January 2, 2023	2:00 pm	Capitol Room 303
Indian Education For All	February 14, 2023	12:00 pm	Capitol Rotunda
Celebrating Women’s History	March 22, 2023	12:00 pm	Capitol Rotunda
Special Olympics Montana - Recognition of Unified Champions	March 28, 2022	12:00 pm	Capitol Rotunda
MT Ready Day	April 12, 2023	12:00 pm	Capitol Rotunda