Bills

HB 5  Part of this bill provided $3.7 Million to the DEQ for lead remediation in schools.

OPI Guidance and Information

The Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) work to reduce lead exposure in drinking water at school facilities. An appropriation in House Bill 5 provided $3.7 million to the DEQ to support this effort during the fiscal years 2024 and 2025.

Bill Effective Date

On passage

HB 21 revises the process
for adoption of school accreditation
standards

The OPI is currently in negoatiated rulemaking with the English Language Proficiency Standards. This committee, and those going forward, will incorporate time as part of its discussion and preparation of the economic impact statement, per section 1 of HB 21. January 1, 2026, section 2 of this bill will be in effect, which includes reporting requirements to the legislative committees, as well as requiring financial requests be included in the Superintendent's budget for implementation of proposed standards. 

Section 1: on passage,
(terminates December 31, 2025)

Section 2: January 1. 2026

HB 163 Missing
Indigenous Persons Taskforce

The Superintendent proudly designates Donnie Wetzel to the task force. Find more information here. 

On passage

HB 234 Regarding Public
Display of Obscenity to minors

The OPI provided a webinar with information about HB 234 on July 26, 2023. Find that webinar here. 

On passage

HB 393 established a 
special needs equal
opportunity education
savings account program
for qualified students. 

The OPI provided a webinar with information about HB 393 on August 23, 2023. Find that webinar here, under Upcoming Events. 

July 1, 2023

HB 403 Teacher Licensing Fees

Per HB 403, Superintendent Arntzen proposed a new license fee structure to the Board of Education at their September 2023,board meeting. Find additional information in this summary. 

News fees will be effective January 1, 2024. 

HB 549 Public Charter Schools

and

HB 562 Community Choice Schools

July 1, 2023

HB 811 aims to enhance public awareness and involvement in school district governance.

This bill requires the OPI to create a repository, available through its website, making trustee contact information readily available for each school district of the state. This repository is located on OPI's main webpage under the link Trustee Repository. For more information, see the press release. 

On passage