With HB 287 the 2023 Legislature expanded the Montana Indian Language Preservation (MILP) program to allow school districts to partner with Tribes to help preserve and perpetuate Indian languages. OPI, in collaboration with Tribes, is developing MILP program guidelines.

As the guidelines will impact the distribution of funds, they must be adopted as rules under the Montana Administrative Procedures Act (MAPA).

See § 20-9-537, MCA Here

Statutory language will be updated in fall 2023

 

To comply with the requirements of MAPA as well as the publication schedule of the Secretary of State’s office for rulemaking, the rulemaking schedule must be as follows:

July

Proposed rules are finalized, filed, and published

August

Public Hearing and Public Comment
August 11, 2023 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Join the Meeting Here

September

Finalization of rules and guidelines

October

Program guidelines are in place

 

OPI Staff are here to help:

Donnie Wetzel, Director of Tribal Student Achievement, Relations, and Resiliency, 406-444-4527

Matthew Bell, Language and Culture Specialist, 406-431-6626