| Issue |
Status/Date |
Level |
Summary |
 Accountability--Accreditation |
Adopted 10/2012 |
P-12 |
Modifies accreditation. One modification deletes old section on teacher evaluation and replaces with new. Requires that evaluation system for licensed staff:
(i) be conducted at least annually for nontenure staff and on a regular schedule adopted by the district for all tenure staff; (ii) be aligned with applicable district goals, standards of the Board of Public Education, and the district's mentorship and induction program; (iii) identify what skill sets are to be evaluated; (iv) include both formative and summative elements; and
(v) include an assessment of the educator's effectiveness in supporting every student in meeting rigorous learning goals through the performance of the educator's duties.
Requires the state superintendent to develop and publish model evaluation instruments that comply with this rule in collaboration with the MEA-MFT, Montana Rural Education Association, Montana School Boards Association, School Administrators of Montana, and Montana Small School Alliance. A school district
adopting and using one of the model instruments shall be construed to have complied with this rule, though use of one of the models shall not be required provided that the district's evaluation instrument and process substantially conforms to the requirements set forth in this section.
http://sos.mt.gov/arm/register/archives/MAR2012/MAR12-19.pdf
Title: ARM 10.55.601-1003
Source: http://sos.mt.gov/arm/register |
Accountability--Accreditation |
Adopted 10/2012 |
P-12 |
Chapter 55 Accreditation Standards provide a framework to ensure the constitutional right of every Montana student to a basic system of free quality public
schools that develops the full educational potential of every student and that 1. recognizes the uniqueness and diversity of Montana students;
2. implements the elements of educational quality that best prepare students for their role as global citizens of the 21st Century;
3. acknowledges the role of cultural heritages in the community, state, nation, and world;
4. recognizes the importance of school, family and community engagement;
5. requires the appropriate use of a variety of assessments to guide curriculum development, to shape instruction, and to inform decision making;
6. guides the schools to be accountable to students, families, and the community;
7. encourages innovation in implementing Chapter 55 Accreditation Standards while maintaining the intent of those standards;
8. acknowledges the role of local control; and
9. balances the needs of present and future Montana students with the realities of limited resources."
Establishes a pre-appointed review board to review applications for variances to accreditation standards.
http://sos.mt.gov/arm/register/archives/MAR2012/MAR12-19.pdf
Title: ARM 10.56.101
Source: http://sos.mt.gov/arm/register/ |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Adopted 05/2012 |
P-12 |
Allows for decisions on renewal of licensure to be appealed to the superintendent of public instruction.
http://www.mtrules.org/gateway/ruleno.asp?RN=10%2E57%2E217
Title: 10.57.217
Source: http://www.mtrules.org/gateway/ruleno.asp?RN=10%2E57%2E217 |
Curriculum--Mathematics |
Adopted 11/2011 |
P-12 |
Adopts college and career ready content standards for mathematics and repeals previous standards and performance descriptors.
http://www.mtrules.org/gateway/Cycle_Home.asp?CID=1327
Title: ARM 10.54.4010-4013; 4020-4023; 4030-4033; 4040-4043; 4101-4112
Source: http://www.mtrules.org |
Standards--Common Core State Standards |
Adopted 11/2011 |
P-12 |
Repeals previous standards and establishes College and Career Readiness anchor standards for language arts and literacy.
http://www.mtrules.org/gateway/ShowNoticeFile.asp?TID=3608
Title: ARM 10.54.3610-3613; 3620-3623; 3630-3633; 3640-3643; 3650-3653; 3701-3712
Source: http://www.mtrules.org |
Accountability--Reporting Results |
Signed into law 05/2011 |
P-12 |
Excerpts from the fiscal note: SB 329, as amended, increases the basic and per-ANB entitlements for K-12 public schools by 1.1% in FY 2012 and by 0.63% in FY 2013. The bill eliminates the 0.76% growth factor on school block grants after FY 2011 and retains oil and natural gas production taxes at the state level for school districts whose tax allocation exceeds 150% of the district's maximum or adopted general fund budget. SB 329 will create increased revenue in the state general fund of $11.3 million in FY 2012 and $1.1 million in FY 2013. Section 3 of the bill allows school districts to enter into multidistrict agreements to perform any services, activities, and undertakings of the participating districts. This section also authorizes each participating district to transfer funds into the interlocal cooperative fund from the general fund or any other budgeted fund of the district. Under SB 329, there is no limit on the amount that can be transferred from budgeted funds other than the school district general fund which is limited to the amount of the district's direct state aid (DSA).
Section 5(2), requires the OPI to develop publicly available district educational profiles that include include school district contact information, state criterion-referenced testing results, programs and course offerings, student enrollment and demographic information by grade level, and graduation rates. Section 5(3) requires each school district to annually report to the OPI the number and type of employee positions; compensation paid to each employee; the certification held by the employee and required by the position, student-teacher ratios by grade; the amount spent by the district for operation and maintenance and for debt service; district expenditures per pupil; the total budget for all funds; the total number of students enrolled and average daily attendance; the total amount spent by the district on extracurricular activities and the number of students who participated; and the number of students who entered 9th grade but did not graduate. Requires each district to post on its website copies of collective bargaining agreements and the district costs associated with employee union representation, collective bargaining, union grievance procedures, and litigation resulting from union employee grievances. Requires oil and natural gas production taxes allocated to a district to be distributed to the district in accordance with section 7 of SB 329. Effective July 1, 2012, establishes a state school oil and natural gas impact account to help counties and school districts that are not receiving oil and natural gas production taxes, but are impacted by oil and natural gas production, defray costs associated with increased school enrollments, teacher shortages, and infrastructure. The balance in the account may not exceed $7.5 million. Any amount in excess of $7.5 million must be deposited in the state general fund.
Fiscal note: http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2011/FNPDF/SB0329.pdf
Full text: http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2011/billpdf/SB0329.pdf
Title: S.B. 329
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2011 |
Finance--Funding Formulas |
Passed 05/2011 |
P-12 |
A Joint resolution requesting an interim study of performance-based funding for K-12 education, the development of a performance-based funding design, and an implementation plan for consideration by the 63rd legislature.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2011/billpdf/SJ0028.pdf
Title: S.J.R. 28
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov |
Adult Basic Education |
Signed into law 04/2011 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
Expands the range of organizations that are allowed to administer adult basic education programs to include a district, community college district, or accredited tribal college, public library, community-based organization, or a consortium of those organizations located in Montana.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2011/billpdf/HB0421.pdf
Title: H.B. 421
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov |
Curriculum--Sex Education |
Vetoed 04/2011 |
P-12 |
Allows parental control over student participation in courses of instruction, assemblies, etc. that involve human sexual education. Requires districts to inform parents/guardians when such events will be held or taught. Prohibits districts from allowing any abortion services providers to offer materials or instruction at a school.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2011/billpdf/HB0456.pdf
Title: H.B. 456
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 04/2011 |
P-12 |
Modifies processes for school district trustee elections -- such as withdrawal of candidates, swearing in, board organization, etc.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2011/billpdf/HB0327.pdf
Title: H.B. 327
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov |
Postsecondary Faculty--Tenure |
Passed 04/2011 |
Postsec. |
A joint resolution urging the Montana Board of Regents of Higher Education to require ongoing posttenure review for Montana University teachers and urging the Board of Regents to require university presidents or chancellors to report to the Board of Regents on the process at their institutions. Urges the Board of Regents to study the advantages and disadvantages of posttenure review.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2011/billpdf/SJ0011.pdf
Title: S.J.R. 11
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills |
Rural |
Passed 04/2011 |
Postsec. |
A joint resolution urging the Board of Regents and the Commissioner of Higher Education to study the growing divide between rural and urban communities and to present the findings and recommendations of the study to the legislature's Education and Local Government Interim Committee.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2011/billpdf/SJ0008.pdf
Title: S.J.R. 8
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov |
Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs |
Signed into law 04/2011 |
P-12 |
Allows for voluntary pupil instruction to occur on Saturday. Requires teachers who volunteer to teach on a Saturday to be compensated at the same rate as and in addition to their annual contract. Clarifies that such instructional time, since voluntary, does not count toward the minimum aggregate hours of pupil instruction.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2011/billpdf/SB0208.pdf.
Title: S.B. 208
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov |
School Safety |
Signed into law 04/2011 |
P-12 |
Clarifies residency for enrollment purposes (who can enroll a student) -- particularly for students who have had behavioral issues and been disciplined in their home districts. If a "caretaker relative" seeks to enroll a child who has been disciplined by a previous district (If the child was subject to formal disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion, at the child's previous school), the school district in which the child is to be enrolled may either implement the previous school district's disciplinary action without further due process or hold a hearing and determine whether the student's conduct in the previous school district merits denial of enrollment. If the district decides to enroll the child, then the school district may either implement the previous school district's disciplinary action without further due process or hold a hearing and determine whether the student's conduct in the previous school district merits denial of enrollment.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2011/billpdf/HB0288.pdf
Title: H.B. 288
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov |
Finance--Bonds |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
P-12 |
From the fiscal note: HB 182 extends the debt repayment period for Montana school districts to borrow funds through the Board of Investments from 10 to 15 fiscal years at no cost to the state. The bill allows local governments to issue bonds or notes, without a vote of the electorate, to finance energy conservation measures.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2011/billpdf/HB0182.pdf
Title: H.B. 182
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
P-12 |
WHEREAS, if the boundaries of an elementary school district and a high school district do not coincide,
then high school additional trustees may be elected from areas outside of the elementary school district
boundaries to serve on the high school board of trustees along with their elementary school trustee counterparts
who also serve as trustees for the high school district; and
WHEREAS, the boards of trustees of school districts may combine their governance into a single school
board and merge the administration of their school districts for purposes of economy and efficiency; and
WHEREAS, a combined school board may wish to elect a high school additional trustee as its presiding
officer because of that person's valuable knowledge and experience; and
WHEREAS, current state law may not allow high school additional trustees to serve as the presiding
officers of combined school boards because they are not members of the elementary district school board; and
WHEREAS, an elementary school district's integrity of governance on a combined school board can be
protected by restricting a presiding officer who is a high school additional trustee from voting on matters that
pertain only to the elementary school district.
This bill allows a trustee to preside over board deliberations under these conditions.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2011/billpdf/HB0204.pdf
Title: H.B. 204
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov/ |
Students--Records/Rights |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
P-12 |
By November 1 and March 1 of each school fiscal year, districts are required to prepare a report for the director of the Montana youth challenge program containing the name, last-known address, and dates of attendance of a student who:
(i) is at least 16 years of age but less than 19 years of age;
(ii) was enrolled but is no longer enrolled in a school in the district;
(iii) has not provided school transfer or graduation information to a school in the district; and
(iv) has not received a high school diploma or general educational development certificate.
After preparing the report the local education agency is required to provide written notice to the parent or guardian or to the student if the student is at least 18 or is under 18 and emancipated that the agency intends to provide the report to the director
of the Montana youth challenge program. The parent or guardian or the student must be given the opportunity
to object to the planned disclosure of the information. If no objection is received, the report is supposed to be submitted.
(c) The report provided by the local educational agency may not include a student who:
(i) is receiving medical care or treatment that prohibits school attendance;
(ii) is enrolled in a foreign exchange program;(iii) is enrolled in an early admissions college program;
(iv) is participating in a job corps program, an adult basic education program, or an accredited
apprenticeship program; or (v) is excused from school for a reason determined acceptable by the local educational agency.
(d) The official to whom the information in subsection (8)(a) is provided shall certify in writing to the local
educational agency that is providing the information that the information will not be disclosed to any other party
except as necessary to recruit and retain students.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2011/billpdf/HB0208.pdf
Title: H.B. 208
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov |
High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment |
Adopted 11/2009 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
Establishes new rules regarding Class 8 dual credit-only postsecondary faculty license endorsements.
Title: ARM 10.57.102, .201, .204, .215, .301, .413, .420, .425, .426, .437,.438
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Curriculum--Mathematics |
Rule Adoption 09/2009 |
P-12 |
Amends rules relating to math content standards and performance descriptors for the Board of Public Education.
Title: ARM 10.54.4010 thru .4112 non seq
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance--State Budgets/Expenditures |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
P-12 |
Implements receipt of and appropriates federal stimulus funds to include the hospital bed tax allocation, school district employee retirement costs, unemployment benefits and working training, TANF block grants, water projects, the Medicaid account, a wood products industry recovery program, school budget levies, school facilities energy efficiency improvements, energy development and demonstration grants, transportation for seniors and disabled persons, and the allocation and authorization for bonds.
Title: H.B. 645
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay--Retirement/Benefits |
Became law without governor's signature 05/2009 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Requires the state administration and veterans' affairs interim committee to examine and recommend funding and benefit changes in the statewide public employees' and teachers' retirement systems (determine the actuarial soundness of the systems).
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009/billpdf/HB0659.pdf
Title: H.B. 659
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009 |
Career/Technical Education |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Allows school district trustees to enter into an interlocal agreement with the Montana Youth Challenge Program to provide educational or vocational services to a student who is a resident of the district; allows a school district to include a resident student who is receiving educational or vocational services from the program under an interlocal agreement in the enrollment count of the district for the purpose of calculating average number belonging (ANB). From fiscal note: SB 216, as amended, increases state support for school district general fund budgets by $43,545 in the 2011 biennium for school districts having an interlocal agreement with the Montana Youth Challenge Program to provide educational or vocational services to a student who is a resident of the district. The ongoing cost is $43,500 annually.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009/billpdf/SB0216.pdf
Title: S.B. 216
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Each agricultural education program in the state that completes the national quality program standard evaluation as adopted by rule and submits a plan of improvement to the office of public instruction's agricultural education specialist must receive a one-time payment of $500. Each of the 76 active agricultural education programs in the state that submits a detailed budget to increase the quality of its agricultural education program based on the plan of improvement may receive a one-time payment of up to $1,000. Each school that adds agricultural education to its curriculum and recruits and retains an endorsed agricultural education teacher must receive a one-time payment of up to $7,500.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009/billpdf/HB0464.pdf
Title: H.B. 464
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov/ |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
Community College |
Relates to incumbent workforce training for the purpose of meeting the training needs of incumbent workers in businesses employing 20 or fewer workers in the state at any one location but not more than 50 workers statewide; and (2) assisting local businesses in preserving existing jobs for Montana residents.
Section. Requires the following criteria to be used in determining whether to award an incumbent worker training program grant:
(a) prospects for enhancing the incumbent worker's productivity, efficiency, or wages;
(b) prospects for reducing incumbent worker turnover;
(c) ability to provide matching funds;
(d) a demonstrated need by the employer for upgrading skills of incumbent workers through training as a way to improve the employer's ability to remain competitive in the industry or in the economy;
(e) a direct relationship between the training and an added benefit to the incumbent worker's occupation or craft; and
(f) a demonstration that the training is not normally provided or required by the employer and, as far asmay be determined, by the employer's competitors.
Limits grant awards to (a) $2,000 or less annually for each full-time job for which an incumbent worker is being trained; or (b) $1,000 or less for each permanent part-time job for which an incumbent worker is being trained.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009/billpdf/SB0388.pdf
Title: S.B. 388
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance--Bonds |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Allows bonding capacities to be combined in high school districts with an attached elementary district. (Deletes the requirement that the total indebtedness of the high school district with an attached elementary district is limited to the sum of 50% of the taxable value of the property for elementary school program purposes and 50% of the taxable value of the property for high school program purposes). Eliminates transition costs from the calculation of the total amount of the district building reserve.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009/billpdf/HB0513.pdf
Title: H.B. 513
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills |
Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Creates the Montana virtual academy at a unit of the Montana university system. The purposes of the Montana virtual academy are to: (a) make distance learning opportunities available to all school-age children through public school districts in the state of Montana; (b) offer high-quality instructors who are licensed and endorsed in Montana and courses that are in compliance with all relevant education and distance learning rules, standards, and policies; and (c) emphasize the core subject matters required under the accreditation standards, offer advanced courses for dual credit in collaboration with the Montana university system, and offer enrichment courses. Establishes governance and requires a report to the legislature.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009/billpdf/HB0459.pdf
Title: H.B. 459
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov |
School Safety |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Allows school board trustees to meet outside district boundaries for purpose of collaboration with other boards, agencies or collaboratives; expands the disciplinary powers of school administrators; clarifies the laws governing student suspensions. Because state law prohibits business being transacted by the trustees of a district unless it is transacted at a regular
meeting or a properly called special meeting, expands the definition of ."unforeseen emergency" from a storm, fire, explosion, community disaster, insurrection, act of God, or other unforeseen destruction or impairment of school district property that affects the health and safety of the trustees, students, or district employees to include "or the educational functions of the district or violation of the student code of conduct, as defined in accordance with district policy, within a week of graduation."
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009/billpdf/HB0332.pdf
Title: H.B. 332
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Clarifies the ability of school districts to share superintendents and principals.
Title: S.B. 173
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 03/2009 |
P-12 |
Revises the conflicts of interests laws that prohibits a trustee from being employed in any capacity by the trustee's own school district. Adds a provision to allow a trustee to officiate at athletic competitions under the auspices of the State Officials Association.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009/billpdf/SB0273.pdf
Title: S.B. 273
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 03/2009 |
P-12 |
Authorizes school trustee election by acclamation if the number of candidates for vacant school trustee positions is less than the number of positions to be elected.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009/billpdf/HB0432.pdf
Title: H.B. 432
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov |
Minority/Diversity Issues--American Indian / Alaska Native / Native Hawaiian |
Signed into law 03/2009 |
P-12 |
Urges all educators, journalists, and public speakers in Montana to learn and use, when writing and speaking, the names of each tribe in Montana as used in the tribe's own language.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009/billpdf/HJ0027.pdf
Title: H.J.R. 27
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov |
School/District Structure/Operations--District Consolidation/Deconsolidation |
Signed into law 03/2009 |
P-12 |
Clarifies District Consolidations and Annexations
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009/billpdf/HB0057.pdf
Title: H.B. 57
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay--Retirement/Benefits |
Signed into law 03/2009 |
P-12 |
From the fiscal note: Under certain restrictions, Teachers Retirement System (TRS) retirees with 30 or more years of service will be eligible to be employed on a full-time basis by a school district without the loss or interruption of TRS retirement benefits.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009/billpdf/HB0363.pdf
Fiscal note: http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009/FNPDF/HB0363.pdf
Title: H.B. 363
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills |
Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses |
Adopted 09/2008 |
P-12 |
Requires any teacher of distance, online or technology delivered learning to be licensed, with such license granted as a result of the completion of an accredited professional educator preparation program.
Title: ARM 10.55.907
Source: http://www.opi.state.mt.us/index.html |
Postsecondary Finance |
Approved by voters 04/2008 |
Postsec. |
(LR-118) Submits a 6 Mill Levy for support of the Montana University System.
Title: Ballot Initiative: V. 2
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Minority/Diversity Issues--American Indian / Alaska Native / Native Hawaiian |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Prohibits a district receiving an Indian education for all payment from diverting the funds to any purpose other than curriculum development, providing curriculum and materials to students, and providing training to teachers about the curriculum and materials. Districts required to file an annual report with the office of public instruction, in a form prescribed by the superintendent of public instruction, that specifies how the Indian education for all funds were expended.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/specsess/0507/billhtml/SB0002.htm
Title: S.B. 2A (American Indian)
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov |
P-3 Grades 1-3 |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Provides full-time Average Number Belonging funding for school districts that enroll students in full-time kindergarten. Provides start-up funding for districts transitioning from half-day to full-day programs. A kindergarten program must meet the state minimum aggregate hour requirements. A kindergarten program that is designated as a full-time program must allow a parent, guardian or other person who is responsible for the enrollment of a child in school to enroll the child half-time.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/specsess/0507/billhtml/SB0002.htm
Title: S.B. 2A (Kindergarten)
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Revises portions of the governor's postsecondary scholarship program. Revises: (1) duties of the council and board; (2) criteria of types and amounts of scholarships; (3) eligibility requirements; and (5) public and private sources of funding.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/specsess/0507/billhtml/SB0002.htm
Title: S.B. 2A (Postsecondary)
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov/ |
School/District Structure/Operations--Facilities |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Provides for a school facility improvement account in the state special revenue fund to provide money to schools to implement the recommendations of the school facility condition and needs assessment and energy audit for: (1) major deferred maintenance; (2) improving energy efficiency in school facilities; or (3) critical infrastructure in school districts.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/specsess/0507/billhtml/SB0002.htm
Title: S.B. 2A (Facilities Funding)
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov |
Teaching Quality |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Creates a quality educator loan assistance program administered by the board of regents through the office of the commissioner of higher education. The program must provide for the direct repayment of educational loans of eligible quality educators in accordance with policies and procedures adopted by the board of regents in accordance with this bill.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/specsess/0507/billhtml/SB0002.htm
Title: S.B. 2A (Teacher Recruitment)
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov/ |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Appropriates funds to the board of crime control to sustain funding for existing prevention and after-school programs for at-risk youth.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2007/billhtml/HB0677.htm
Title: H.B. 677
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Provides a quality educator payment to certified teachers employed by the Youth Challenge Program which assists at-risk youth in developing skills and abilities necessary to become productive citizens through focusing on the physical, emotional and educational needs of the youth.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2007/billhtml/SB0335.htm
Title: S.B. 335
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires registration and licensure of alternative adolescent residential or outdoor programs. Allows provisional licensing and requires background checks for certain employees and managers. Directs the department of labor and industry to adopt rules regarding program criteria, including inspection of programs for licensure every three years..
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2007/billhtml/HB0769.htm
Title: H.B. 769
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov/ |
Attendance |
To governor 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Relates to services for individuals who are developmentally distabled, clarifies that such individuals may return to high school after graduation if they are not 19 years of age.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2007/billhtml/HB0195.htm
Title: H.B. 195
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Expands the repayment of educational loans to include physicians practicing in medically underserved areas or for underserved populations. Increases the amount of educational debt that may be paid by the board of regents. Increases the fee that may be assessed to certain students preparing to be physicians.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2007/billhtml/SB0553.htm
Title: S.B. 553
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov/ |
Finance |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Authorizes that in years when the legislature meets in regular session or in a special session that affects school funding, the trustees may order the election on a date other than the regular school election day in order for the electors to consider a proposition requesting additional funding.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2007/billhtml/SB0225.htm
Title: S.B. 225
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov |
Finance |
Issued 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Requests that the legislative council designate an appropriate interim or statutory committee, or direct sufficient staff resources to: (1) (a) examine future demographics of property taxpayers, school age children, retirees and other factors relating to the viability of property taxes to fund education; and (b) examine the distribution or maldistribution of classes of taxable property in counties and school districts; (2) study the feasibility of a statewide school equalization district with property tax levies against particular classes of property and other sources of statewide revenue; and (3) study the use of a sales tax and use tax for funding to replace property taxes and provide tax relief for homes, commercial properties, and agricultural and forest lands. Further resolves that: (1) all aspects of the study be concluded prior to September 15, 2008; and (2) the final results of the study, including any findings, conclusions, comments, or recommendations of the appropriate committee, be reported to the 61st Legislature.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2007/billhtml/SJ0031.htm
Title: S.J.R. 31
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov/ |
Finance--Bonds |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Raises the maximum amount of debt a school district can incur through the issuance of general obligation bonds and certain other long term obligations from 45% of district taxable
valuation to 50% (100% for a K-12 district). Increases the amount of debt a district can incur when the district is eligible for subsidies under the school facilities acquisition program.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2007/billhtml/HB0672.htm
Title: H.B. 672
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov/ |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Revises school budget laws. Would allow districts to increase their budgets beyond the capped amount without approval from the voters. Would still require voters to approve of any tax
increases.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2007/billhtml/HB0363.htm
Title: H.B. 363
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov/ |
Health |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Allows students to carry and self-adminster prescribed epinephrine in school for severe allergies.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2007/billhtml/SB0289.htm
Title: S.B. 289
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov |
Postsecondary Faculty |
Passed 04/2007 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
Requests that the legislative council designate an appropriate interim committee or assign sufficient staff resources to study public employee retirements systems and produce a
legislator's guide on the state's public employee retirement plans that includes comparisons of plan designs and funding options.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2007/billhtml/HJ0059.htm
Title: H.J.R. 59
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov |
School Safety |
Issued 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Urges the office of hat the office of public instruction to encourage all public and private schools in the state to deliver the "Be Safe" Firearms Safety program to all students in grades 1 through 3 each school year.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2007/billhtml/SJ0016.htm
Title: S.J.R. 16
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Revises school district creation laws. Amends section of law pertaining to the transfer of land to or from one district to another.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2007/billhtml/HB0744.htm
Title: H.B. 744
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov/ |
Special Populations--Military |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Statutorily provides for the Montana National Guard Youth Program.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/
Title: S.B. 295
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov/ |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Signed into law 03/2007 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Revises allocation or workforce training and other economic development oppotunity funds to high poverty areas.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2007/billhtml/HB0286.htm
Title: H.B. 286
Source: http://data.opi.mt.gov |
Minority/Diversity Issues--American Indian / Alaska Native / Native Hawaiian |
Rule Adoption 12/2006 |
P-12 |
Adopts and amends rules relating to quality educator payments, at-risk student payments - general fund, Indian education for all payments, American Indian achievement gap payments - general fund and school finance.
http://www.opi.mt.gov/pdf/legaldivision/10-7-115pro-arm.pdf
Title: ARM 10.7.106, .106A, .113 through .115,10.10.301 to .315, 10.15.101, 10.16.3804, .3811, .3812, .3816, 10.20.102 to 10.30.415
Source: http://www.opi.mt.gov/pdf/legaldivision/10-7-115pro-arm.pdf |
Curriculum--Science |
Adopted 09/2006 |
P-12 |
Proposes to amend rules relating to science content standards andperformance descriptors. Includes references to Montana Native Americans and science.
http://www.opi.mt.gov/pdf/legaldivision/10-54-240adp-arm-adp.pdf
Title: ARM 10.54.5010 through 10.54.5098 non-seq
Source: http://www.opi.mt.gov |
Health |
Rule Adoption 06/2005 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules regarding school immunization requirements. MONTANA REG 4718 (SN)
Title: ARM New Rules I thru III, 37.114.701, .702, .704, .705, .708, .709, .710, .715, .716, .720, .721
Source: StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Rule Adoption 06/2005 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules regarding educator licensure. Includes definitions, 'Student Teaching/Supervised Practice', and 'General Provisions To Issue Licenses'. MONTANA REG 4706 (SN)
Title: ARM 10.57.102, .104, .201
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 05/2005 |
Postsec. |
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE MONTANA UNIVERSITY SYSTEM TO WAIVE TUITION REGARDLESS OF THE AVAILABILITY OF OTHER WAIVERS FOR A QUALIFIED MEMBER OF THE MONTANA NATIONAL GUARD; AMENDING SECTION 20-25-421, MCA; REPEALING SECTION 10-1-121, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE, AN APPLICABILITY DATE, AND A TERMINATION DATE
Title: S.B. 445
Source: StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations--Shared Services |
Signed into law 05/2005 |
P-12 |
AN ACT ALLOWING A SCHOOL DISTRICT TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AT AN OFFSITE INSTRUCTIONAL SETTING TO CHILDREN ATTENDING SCHOOL IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT; REQUIRING THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION TO ADOPT RULES; REVISING THE DEFINITION OF "AVERAGE NUMBER BELONGING" TO CLARIFY THE INCLUSION OF PUPILS EDUCATED OFFSITE; DEFINING "OFFSITE INSTRUCTIONAL SETTING"; AMENDING SECTION 20-1-101, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND AN APPLICABILITY DATE
Title: S.B. 224
Source: StateNet |
Bilingual/ESL |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Defines basic system of free quality public elementary and secondary schools and identifies the educationally relevant factors upon which the state's share of the basic system must be funded; includes at-risk students, students who were not born in the United States or who are American Indians and come from an environment in which a language other than English has had a significant impact on the student.
Add the definition of "at-risk" student to mean "any student who is affected by environmental conditions that negatively impact the student's educational performance or threaten a student's likelihood of promotion or graduation," and defines "student with limited English proficiency."
http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2005/billhtml/SB0152.htm
Title: S.B. 152
Source: StateNet |
Finance |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
AN ACT GENERALLY REVISING SCHOOL FINANCE LAWS; ALLOWING SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO LEASE PERSONAL PROPERTY; EXPANDING THE USES FOR CERTAIN SCHOOL DISTRICT FUNDS; CHANGING A BUDGET DEADLINE FOR JOINT DISTRICTS; INCREASING THE ENTITLEMENTS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR SCHOOL FISCAL YEAR 2006 AND SCHOOL FISCAL YEAR 2007; PROVIDING FOR 3-YEAR AVERAGING OF ANB FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH DECLINING ENROLLMENT FOR SCHOOL FISCAL YEAR 2006 AND SCHOOL FISCAL YEAR 2007; ALLOWING A SCHOOL DISTRICT TO PERMISSIVELY LEVY UP TO THE SAME OVER-BASE PROPERTY TAX REVENUE LEVIED IN THE PREVIOUS FISCAL YEAR; REVISING CERTAIN CALCULATIONS FOR GUARANTEED TAX BASE FUNDING; REVISING THE LIMITATIONS ON SCHOOL DISTRICT BONDED INDEBTEDNESS; CONFORMING CERTAIN STATUTES TO CURRENT LAW; REMOVING A REFERENCE TO A ONE-TIME-ONLY STATE PAYMENT TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS; TEMPORARILY EXTENDING SCHOOL ELECTION DEADLINES; PROVIDING FOR INTERDISTRICT AGREEMENTS FOR FUND TRANSFERS BY FEBRUARY 1 OF THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR; AMENDING SECTIONS 20-5-323, 20-6-607, 20-7-102, 20-9-130, 20-9-131, 20-9-142, 20-9-151, 20-9-152, 20-9-306, 20-9-308, 20-9-311, 20-9-314, 20-9-321, 20-9-353, 20-9-366, 20-9-406, AND 20-9-443, MCA; REPEALING SECTION 20-9-375, MCA; AND PROVIDING EFFECTIVE DATES, APPLICABILITY DATES, AND TERMINATION DATES
Title: H.B. 63
Source: StateNet |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Relates to holding school districts harmless for disequalized budget status.
"A school district that adopted a general fund budget over its maximum general fund budget under any provision of subsection (3)(a) at any time between fiscal year 2001 and fiscal year 2005 may, for fiscal year 2006 and fiscal year 2007, adopt the greater of its maximum general fund budget or the highest actual budget adopted between fiscal year 2001 and fiscal year 2005."
http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2005/billhtml/HB0624.htm
Title: H.B. 624
Source: StateNet |
Finance--Funding Formulas |
To governor 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Creates a quality schools interim committee. The committee shall continue the work of the joint select committee on education funding established during the 59th legislative session. By December 1, 2005, the committee shall, among other duties,:
(a) assess the educational needs of the children served by the basic system of free quality public elementary and secondary schools in Montana, as defined by the legislature;
(b) determine the total costs of providing the basic system of free quality public elementary and secondary schools;
(c) determine the state's share of the total costs of a basic system of free quality public elementary and secondary schools;
(d) construct a funding formula
http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2005/billhtml/SB0525.htm
Title: S.B. 525
Source: StateNet |
Health |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Allows asthma self medication in schools.
http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2005/billhtml/HB0396.htm
Title: H.B. 396
Source: StateNet |
Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
AN ACT REVISING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TUITION LAWS; REQUIRING THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION TO PAY TUITION FOR CHILDREN WHO ATTEND SCHOOL OUTSIDE OF THE DISTRICT OF RESIDENCE BECAUSE OF PLACEMENT IN FOSTER CARE OR A GROUP HOME; ELIMINATING THE REQUIREMENT THAT A SCHOOL DISTRICT REPORT THE NUMBER OF OUT-OF-DISTRICT STUDENTS ATTENDING SCHOOL IN THE DISTRICT BECAUSE OF GEOGRAPHIC CONDITIONS; ELIMINATING THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT TO PAY TUITION ON BEHALF OF THE STATE UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS; ESTABLISHING A TUITION PAYMENT SCHEDULE FOR DISTRICTS THAT PAY TUITION; CLARIFYING WHERE A DISTRICT MUST CREDIT TUITION RECEIPTS; REQUIRING THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION TO PAY TUITION AND TRANSPORTATION COSTS FOR A CHILD WITH A DISABILITY; PROVIDING AN APPROPRIATION; AMENDING SECTIONS 20-3-205, 20-5-321, 20-5-324, 20-7-420, 20-9-212, 20-9-335, AND 20-10-105, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE
Title: H.B. 83
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE GOVERNOR'S POSTSECONDARY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE MONTANA'S MOST TALENTED HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES OR MONTANA HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES WITH FINANCIAL NEEDS TO ACQUIRE A POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION BY PROVIDING STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS BASED ON MERIT OR FINANCIAL NEED TO STUDENTS ATTENDING IN-STATE POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTIONS AND CERTAIN OUT-OF-STATE PUBLIC COLLEGES OR UNIVERSITIES OR, WITH DONATIONS FROM PRIVATE SOURCES, TO STUDENTS ATTENDING MONTANA PRIVATE COLLEGES IF SO DESIGNATED BY THE DONOR; ESTABLISHING A GOVERNOR'S SCHOLARSHIP ADVISORY COUNCIL APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR TO ASSIST THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN AWARDING AND ADMINISTERING THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM; PROVIDING ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIPS BASED ON VARIOUS CRITERIA; PROVIDING FOR REALLOCATION OF MONEY TO OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS IF A HIGH SCHOOL DOES NOT HAVE AN ELIGIBLE STUDENT OR IF A RECIPIENT BECOMES INELIGIBLE; PROVIDING THAT SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING IS A STATE OBLIGATION; ESTABLISHING STUDENT ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA; AUTHORIZING THE BOARD OF REGENTS TO ADOPT PROCEDURES TO IMPLEMENT THE MERIT-BASED AND FINANCIAL NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE AND AN APPLICABILITY DATE. AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE GOVERNOR'S POSTSECONDARY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE MONTANA'S MOST TALENTED HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES OR MONTANA HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES WITH FINANCIAL NEEDS TO ACQUIRE A POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION BY PROVIDING STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS BASED ON MERIT OR FINANCIAL NEED TO STUDENTS ATTENDING IN-STATE POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTIONS AND CERTAIN OUT-OF-STATE PUBLIC COLLEGES OR UNIVERSITIES OR, WITH DONATIONS FROM PRIVATE SOURCES, TO STUDENTS ATTENDING MONTANA PRIVATE COLLEGES IF SO DESIGNATED BY THE DONOR; ESTABLISHING A GOVERNOR'S SCHOLARSHIP ADVISORY COUNCIL APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR TO ASSIST THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN AWARDING AND ADMINISTERING THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM; PROVIDING ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIPS BASED ON VARIOUS CRITERIA; PROVIDING FOR REALLOCATION OF MONEY TO OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS IF A HIGH SCHOOL DOES NOT HAVE AN ELIGIBLE STUDENT OR IF A RECIPIENT BECOMES INELIGIBLE; PROVIDING THAT SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING IS A STATE OBLIGATION; ESTABLISHING STUDENT ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA; AUTHORIZING THE BOARD OF REGENTS TO ADOPT PROCEDURES TO IMPLEMENT THE MERIT-BASED AND FINANCIAL NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE AND AN APPLICABILITY DATE
Title: H.B. 435
Source: StateNet |
School Safety |
Rule Adoption 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules regarding student discipline records. Addresses student records MONTANA REG 4685 (SN)
Title: ARM New Rule I; ARM 10.55.909
Source: StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations--District Consolidation/Deconsolidation |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
AN ACT REVISING THE LAWS ON SCHOOL DISTRICT CONSOLIDATION AND ANNEXATION; ESTABLISHING A SINGLE PROCEDURE FOR THE ANNEXATION AND CONSOLIDATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS; PROVIDING FOR AN INTERIM BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOLLOWING PASSAGE OF A CONSOLIDATION ELECTION; CLARIFYING THAT DISTRICTS MAY CONSOLIDATE OR ANNEX ACROSS COUNTY LINES; REQUIRING A RESOLUTION OR PETITION FOR CONSOLIDATION OR ANNEXATION TO STATE WHETHER OR NOT THE CONSOLIDATION OR ANNEXATION WILL OCCUR WITH ASSUMPTION OF BONDED INDEBTEDNESS; REQUIRING A CONSOLIDATION ELECTION TO BE HELD NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 31 PRECEDING THE SCHOOL FISCAL YEAR IN WHICH THE CONSOLIDATION IS TO BECOME EFFECTIVE; CLARIFYING THAT A CONSOLIDATION OR ANNEXATION IS EFFECTIVE JULY 1 FOLLOWING AN ELECTION; CLARIFYING THAT CONSOLIDATION OR ANNEXATION MUST OCCUR WITH CONTIGUOUS DISTRICTS; CLARIFYING THE PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINING APPROVAL OF A CONSOLIDATION OR ANNEXATION WITH THE ASSUMPTION OF BONDED INDEBTEDNESS; ALLOWING AN ABANDONED DISTRICT TO ATTACH TO A CONTIGUOUS DISTRICT IN AN ADJACENT COUNTY; ALLOWING FOR THE CONSOLIDATION AND ANNEXATION OF K-12 DISTRICTS; ALLOWING DISTRICTS TO CONSOLIDATE ACROSS COUNTY LINES WITH THE ASSUMPTION OF BONDED INDEBTEDNESS; ELIMINATING THE SPECIAL PROCEDURES FOR THE CONSOLIDATION, ABANDONMENT, AND DISSOLUTION OF JOINT DISTRICTS; ELIMINATING THE SEPARATE PROCEDURES FOR THE ANNEXATION AND CONSOLIDATION OF ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICTS; AMENDING SECTIONS 20-3-205, 20-3-302, 20-3-312, 20-6-209, 20- 6-307, 20-6-704, AND 20-9-311, MCA; REPEALING SECTIONS 20-6-203, 20-6-204, 20- 6-205, 20-6-206, 20-6-207, 20-6-208, 20-6-210, 20-6-211, 20-6-315, 20-6-316, 20-6-317, 20-6-318, 20-6-319, AND 20-6-321, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE
http://laws.leg.state.mt.us/pls/laws05/LAW0203W$BSRV.ActionQuery?P_BLTP_BILL_TYP_CD=HB&P_BILL_NO=681&P_BILL_DFT_NO=&Z_ACTION=Find&P_SBJ_DESCR=&P_SBJT_SBJ_CD=&P_LST_NM1=&P_ENTY_ID_SEQ=
Title: MT H.B. 681
Source: StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
AN ACT ALLOWING A SCHOOL DISTRICT TO EXTEND A BUS ROUTE ACROSS ANOTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT IN ORDER TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO STUDENTS WITHIN ITS OWN DISTRICT; AMENDING SECTION 20-10-126, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE
Title: H.B. 652
Source: StateNet |
Special Education |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Revises special education laws. (2) The board of trustees of every school district shall provide or establish and maintain a special education program for each child with a disability who is 6 years of age or older and under 19 years of age.
(3) The board of trustees of each elementary district shall provide or establish and maintain a special education program for each preschool child with a disability who is 3 years of age or older and under 7 years of age.
(4) (a) The board of trustees of a school district may provide or establish and maintain a special education program for a child with a disability who is 2 years of age or under or who is 19 years of age or older and under 22 years of age.
(b) Programs established pursuant to subsection (4)(a) do not obligate the state or a school district to offer regular educational programs to a similar age group unless specifically provided by law.
http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2005/billhtml/SB0363.htm
Title: S.B. 363
Source: StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Preparation |
Rule Adoption 04/2005 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Establishes rules regarding professional educator preparation programs. MONTANA REG 4693 (SN)
Title: ARM 10.58.103
Source: StateNet |
Governance |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
P-12 |
Clarifies governance for certain school districts.
http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2005/billhtml/HB0397.htm
Title: H.B. 397
Source: StateNet |
Parent/Family |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Create parents as scholars program. For the purpose of this program(1) "Approved educational program" means:
(a) a program in a unit of the Montana university system, as provided in 20-25-201, a community college, a tribal college, or any other accredited college in Montana in which an individual is enrolled in pursuit of an associate's or baccalaureate degree; or
(b) an accredited high school or training program approved by the department by rule.
http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2005/billhtml/HB0555.htm
Title: H.B. 555
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Relates to funding for nonbeneficiary students attending tribally controlled community colleges.
http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2005/billhtml/HB0016.htm
Title: H.B. 16
Source: StateNet |
Scheduling/School Calendar |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
P-12 |
Relates to Flexibility in school calendar and PIRD.
http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2005/billhtml/SB0170.htm
Title: S.B. 170
Source: StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
P-12 |
Revise statutes related to school district enrollment and calculation; provides for tuition to be paid for a nonresident public school student who reaches the age of 18 during the school year.
http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2005/billhtml/SB0359.htm
Title: S.B. 359
Source: StateNet |
Students--Athletics/Extracurricular Activities |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
Postsec. |
Authorizes presidents of the university system to hire coaches for longer duration.
http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2005/billhtml/SB0171.htm
Title: S.B. 171
Source: StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 02/2005 |
P-12 |
Increases the state contibution to the Employee Group Benefits Program; repeals statutory Teachers' and Blue-Collar Pay Schedules; appropriates funds to implement pay and benefit revisions, for personal services contingencies and for a labor-management training initiative.
Title: H.B. 447
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Faculty |
Rule Adoption 12/2004 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Relates to out-of-state attendance agreements. The superintendent of public instruction shall
provide payment of the amount calculated in (4)(a), but not
more than the amount of tuition paid by the district for
resident students who attended school out-of-state, in the
year the out-of-district attendance report is submitted,
provided it is submitted with documentation
of payment, to the superintendent of public instruction within
the school year following the year of attendance
Title: ARM 10.10.301C
Source: StateNet |
Finance |
Rule Adoption 07/2004 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules relating to school finance and transportation. MONTANA REG 4551 (SN)
Title: ARM 10.7.101,.109 thru .111,.115,.118;10.10.202,.309,.316, .320, .611, .614; 10.15.101; 10.20.102, .106; 10.21.101B thru .102E (non-seq),10.22.102 thru .30.403 (non-seq)
Source: WestLaw |
Special Education |
Rule Adoption 06/2004 |
P-12 |
SPECIAL EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL STAFF QUALIFICATIONS (1) Any teacher providing special education and related services to students with disabilities shall hold a current Montana teaching certificate with appropriate endorsements.
(a) A special education teacher must hold a current Montana teaching certificate with an endorsement in special education.
(b) A teacher of homebound or hospitalized students must hold a current Montana teaching certificate.
(c) A school psychologist must hold a current Montana Class 6 teaching certificate.
(d) Supervisors of special education teaching personnel must have a Class 3 administrator's certificate with a principal's endorsement or a supervisor's endorsement in special education.
(2) All special education and related services for students with disabilities shall be provided under the direction of qualified personnel.
(3) Each local educational agency must require that each administrator which provides or supervises the provision of special education and related services to students with disabilities, obtains specific skills which enable the administrator to deal effectively with students with disabilities. These skills may be obtained through formal training or in-service training.
(4) Each local educational agency must require that each teacher who implements education services to students with disabilities, obtains specific skills which enable the teacher to deal effectively with students with disabilities under the teacher's supervision. These skills may be obtained through formal training or in-service training or consultation.
(5) A professional person (i.e., occupational therapist, physical therapist, social worker, psychiatrist, nurse, audiologist, speech/language pathologist, recreational therapist, professional counselor or physician) providing special education and related services to students with disabilities under this section shall hold a license from the appropriate state authority and meet the appropriate professional requirements that are based on the highest entry level requirements in the state applicable to the profession or discipline.
(6) Paraprofessional personnel (e.g., teacher aide or instructional assistant) shall meet current office of public instruction accreditation standards under ARM 10.55.707. (History: Sec. 20-7-402, MCA; IMP , Sec. 20-7-403, MCA; NEW , 1993 MAR p. 1913, Eff. 8/13/93; AMD & TRANS , 2000 MAR p. 1048, Eff. 7/1/00.)
http://arm.sos.state.mt.us/10/10-235.htm
Title: ARM 10.16.3136
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees--Prepd/College Savings Plans |
Rule Adoption 04/2004 |
Postsec. |
Establishes rules relating to the taxation of family education savings accounts. MONTANA REG 4500 (SN)
Title: ARM New Rules I, II; ARM 42.15.802 thru .805; Repeals .801
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Online Instruction |
Rule Adoption 03/2004 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Establishes rules relating to distance, online, and technology delivered learning. MONTANA REG 4484 (SN)
Title: ARM 10.55.907
Source: StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Rule Adoption 09/2003 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules regarding the definition of combined school district. MONTANA REG 4387 (SN)
Title: ARM 10.55.602
Source: StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Rule Adoption 09/2003 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules regarding reinstatement and renewal of Class 4 career and vocational/technical educator licenses. MONTANA REG 4388 (SN)
Title: ARM 10.57.420, .421, .422, .423
Source: StateNet |
Finance--Funding Formulas |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Establishes a K-12 public school renewal commission to propose amendments and new provisions to components of K-12 education, including governance and finance structures and the state and federal roles in public education. The commission must include at a minimum the governor, the superintendent of public instruction and specified members of the state legislature. In addition, the governor must identify between 10 and 25 entitites to send a representative to serve on the commission and name a representative from the juvenile corrections division. The commission must present its findings and recommendations to the education and local government interim committee by September 15, 2004, and may recommend legislation. Provides an appropriation.
http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2003/billhtml/HB0736.htm
Web site for the Montana K-12 Public School Renewal Commission: http://www.state.mt.us/gov2/css/boards/renewal/default.asp
Title: H.B. 736
Source: data.opi.state.mt.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees--Prepd/College Savings Plans |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
Postsec. |
Revises family education savings program provisions. Specifies that investment products refers to certificates of deposit, savings accounts paying fixed or variable interest, financial instruments, one or more mutual funds, and a mix of mutual funds. Specifies that penalty for nonqualified withdrawal is no longer automatic but subject to board determination as such. Specifies that accounts may be invested in one or more investment products approved by the board. Clarifies that accounts under the supervision of the program manager must continue to be invested in the financial products in which they were invested prior to any contract nonrenewal with a financial institution. Clarifies that person may contribute to more than one account in a tax year. http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2003/billhtml/HB0539.htm
Title: H.B. 539
Source: data.opi.state.mt.us |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Deletes language that effective on the first day of the pay period that includes a state employee's anniversary date during the fiscal years ending June 30, 2002, and June 30, 2003, the employee's base salary must be increased by 4% or by a lesser amount so that the employee's base salary after the increase does not exceed the maximum salary of the pay grade. Adds new language that effective on the first day of the first complete pay period that includes January 1, 2005, the base salary of each employee must be increased by an amount equal to 25 cents an hour or by a lesser amount so that the employee's base salary after the increase does not exceed the maximum salary of the pay grade. Specifies that pay increase for a member of a bargaining unit is contingent upon legislative authorization of a pay increase for state employees. http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2003/billhtml/HB0013.htm
Title: H.B. 13
Source: data.opi.state.mt.us |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Authorizes formation of student banks, called "student financial institutions" in a high school as an education program to serve only those students enrolled in the school in which the program is located. The student financial institution may be advised but not owned by one or more state- or federally chartered financial institutions, as specified. Requires the trustees (board members) in every high school or K-12 district to consider and, if advisable, establish a student financial institution. http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2003/billhtml/SB0380.htm
Title: S.B. 380
Source: data.opi.state.mt.us |
Health |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Allows a parent or guardian of a diabetic student to designate an adult to administer glucagon to the student, upon prior written approval submitted to the district. Releases school district and parent-designated adult from civil damages from administration of glucagon, except in cases of gross negligence. http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2003/billhtml/HB0573.htm
Title: H.B. 573
Source: data.opi.state.mt.us |
No Child Left Behind |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Relates to military status; provides that a public high school shall provide equal access to armed forces recruiters; protects the election law residency rights of a reserve member; prohibits certain adverse actions related to a professional license against a reserve members who is activated; makes provisions regarding residency. http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2003/billhtml/HB0285.htm
Title: H.B. 285
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
Postsec. |
Increase scholarship donation for collegiate license plates from $20 to $30. http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2003/billhtml/HB0549.htm
Title: H.B. 549
Source: data.opi.state.mt.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Provides educational aid to a convict exonerated of a crime by postconviction DNA testing. Specifies that "aid" under this section must include expenses for tuition, fees, books, board, and room at any Montana community college, including any accredited tribally controlled
community college, or unit of the Montana university system. Adds that "aid" also means any assistance in meeting any admission standards or criteria required at any of the institutions listed, including assistance in satisfying requirements for a GED and assistance in completing any adult education program or courses. Requires an adult education fund to be reimbursed by the state for any costs of completing an adult education program or courses under this section. Allows convict exonerated through postconviction DNA testing to be eligible for 10 years after release from prison, and requires aid to continue for up to 5 years within the 10-year period or until the degree is completed, whichever is less. Allows board of regents to waive tuition and fees for a convict exonerated of a crime by postconviction DNA testing.
http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2003/billhtml/SB0183.htm
Title: S.B. 183
Source: data.opi.state.mt.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
Postsec. |
Allows any university system security department to seek an agreement with local law enforcement agencies that specifies geographic and subject matter jurisdiction of campus security officers in areas outside 1) the campuses of the Montana university system and for campus-related activities, an area within 1 mile of the exterior boundaries of each campus, and 2) other grounds or properties owned, operated, controlled, or administered by the regents or any unit of the Montana university system. http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2003/billhtml/HB0256.htm
Title: H.B. 256
Source: data.opi.state.mt.us |
Special Education |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Eliminates certain special education definitions to conform to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2003/billhtml/SB0076.htm
Title: S.B. 76
Source: StateNet |
Students |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Relates to uniform athlete agents and student athlete agents.
http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2003/billhtml/SB0306.htm
Title: S.B. 306
Source: StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Rule Adoption 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules regarding renewal unit verification. Applications to the superintendent of public instruction for license renewal shall be accompanied by verification of meeting the professional development requirements through official documentation (transcripts or grade reports) from an accredited college or university, or verification of renewal units.
Title: ARM 10.57.218
Source: WestLaw |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 03/2003 |
P-12 |
While trustees of a first-class elementary district must still meet at least once a month, strikes language requiring trustees of other district boards to hold regular meetings "during the months of April, August, October, and January." Replaces this with requirement that trustees hold regular meetings "at least quarterly." http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2003/billhtml/HB0366.htm
Title: H.B. 366
Source: data.opi.state.mt.us/ |
High School |
Signed into law 03/2003 |
P-12 |
Provides honorary diplomas for any current or former Montana resident who 1) is a veteran of WWII, the Korean War or the Vietnam conflict, 2) did not receive a high school diploma and 3) either died in active service, was honorably discharged, or was released from active duty because of a service-related disability. http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2003/billhtml/SB0081.htm
Title: S.B. 81
Source: data.opi.state.mt.us |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 03/2003 |
P-12 |
Revises the laws related to school boundary transfers; establishes criteria, a standard of proof and procedures for territory transfer hearings; provides for appeals in district court; authorizes an appeal of the county superintendent's decision to the district court. http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2003/billhtml/SB0016.htm
Title: S.B. 16
Source: StateNet |
Special Education |
Signed into law 03/2003 |
P-12 |
Authorizes a school district to use its tuition fund to pay the costs for a resident student who enrolls in a day-treatment program under an approved individualized education program at a private, nonsectarian school located in or outside of the student's resident district. http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2003/billhtml/HB0135.htm
Title: H.B. 135
Source: StateNet |
Special Education |
Signed into law 03/2003 |
P-12 |
Exempts the Montana school for the deaf and blind from spending reductions. http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2003/billhtml/HB0060.htm
Title: H.B. 60
Source: StateNet |
Special Education |
Signed into law 03/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind to establish a system for tracking intervention services received by hearing and visually impaired children from the time of impairment identification through the child's exit from intervention or educational services. http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2003/billhtml/SB0042.htm
Title: S.B. 42
Source: http://data.opi.state.mt.us |
Special Education |
Signed into law 03/2003 |
P-12 |
Changes the fee for services collected from a public school or other responsible agency by the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind from a mandatory fee to an optional fee. http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2003/billhtml/SB0043.htm
Title: S.B. 43
Source: StateNet |
Special Education |
Signed into law 03/2003 |
P-12 |
Changes the designation of the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind from an independent institution to a state-sponsored special school. http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2003/billhtml/SB0041.htm
Title: S.B. 41
Source: StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 03/2003 |
P-12 |
Allows retired teachers, specialists and administrators to return to work part- or full-time without loss or interruption of benefits. To participate, member may not have been receiving disability retirement allowance, must hold valid certificate, must have been receiving a retirement for at least 12 months, and employer must prove to department it has been unable to fill position because no applications have been received and no nonretired teacher, specialist or adminstrator has offered to fill the position. Retired member reemployed in this way is not eligible for active membership. The department and the teachers' retirement system must report to the appropriate committee in the 2007 legislative session on the implementation and results of this policy. http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2003/billhtml/HB0178.htm
Title: H.B. 178
Source: data.opi.state.mt.u |
Postsecondary Finance |
Signed into law 02/2003 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Allows the use of the prior 3-year average enrollment to calculate reversions for funded resident enrollment growth in community colleges. http://www.ecs.org/html/offsite.asp?document=http://leg.state.mt.us/ http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2003/FNPDF/HB0023.pdf
Title: H.B. 23
Source: StateNet |
Scheduling/School Calendar |
Signed into law 02/2003 |
P-12 |
Transfers the authority for approving the conduct of school on Saturday in the case of an emergency from the Superintendent of Public Instruction to the school district trustees. http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2003/billhtml/HB0078.htm
Title: H.B. 78
Source: StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Signed into law 02/2003 |
P-12 |
Allows vehicles to pass school buses that are stopped to receive or discharge children in designated school bus turnouts; specifies the requirements necessary to designate a school bus turnout.
Title: H.B. 112
Source: StateNet |
Special Education |
Signed into law 02/2003 |
P-12 |
Allows an employee of a State or local education agency that is not providing educational services to a child with a disability, to serve as a surrogate parent for that child, but only whenever the parents or guardian cannot be identified or, after reasonable efforts, the location of the parents cannot be discovered or if the child is a ward of the state. Determination must take place within 30 days of discovery of need to make determination. Establishes prerequisites for surrogate parent and procedures for nomination, appointment and termination of surrogate parent. http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2003/billhtml/HB0153.htm
Title: H.B. 153
Source: data.opi.state.mt.us |
Background Checks |
Rule Adoption 11/2002 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules regarding criminal history background check, substitute teachers, teacher license classification, definition of 'immoral conduct', investigation, and reporting of the surrender, denial, revocation or suspension of a license. Addresses accreditation, teacher certification, hearing procedures, and repeal of ARM 10.57.103 thru .407 relating to teacher certification.
Title: ARM New Rule I thru III, XXVIII, XXIX, XXX, XXXI; 10.55.602 thru .710 (non-seq); 10.57.101 thru .801 (non-seq.); Repeal 10.57.103 thru .406 (non-seq); New Rule I/Criminal History Background Check
Source: StateNet |
Finance |
Rejected by voters 11/2002 |
P-12 |
To allow the investment of public funds, including school trust funds, in private corporate capital stock in accordance with recognized standards of financial management. (http://sos.state.mt.us/css/ELB/Ballot_Measures.asp)
Title: Constitutional Amendment 39
Source: Montana Secretary of State |
No Child Left Behind--Supplemental Services |
Active 09/2002 |
P-12 |
Supplemental Education Services Application; deadline 9/30/02: (http://www.opi.state.mt.us/pdf/TitleI/SuppEdServ.pdf)
Source: Montana Department of Public Instruction Web site |
Finance--State Budgets/Expenditures |
Signed into law 08/2002 |
P-12 |
Reduces the General Fund shortfall in revenue by implementing pay and benefit adjustments for state employees for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2003; includes legislative branch, consumer counsel, judiciary, Office of Budget and Program Planning, OBPP-Teacher Pay Plan. http://www.ecs.org/html/offsite.asp?document=http://leg.state.mt.us/ http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/specsess/0802/FNPDF/HB0003.pdf
Title: H.B. 3
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance--State Budgets/Expenditures |
Signed into law 08/2002 |
P-12 |
Reduces the General Fund shortfall in revenue by temporarily eliminating the revenue dedicated to the School Technology Fund; includes income produced from the annual timber harvest on common school trust lands. http://www.ecs.org/html/offsite.asp?document=http://leg.state.mt.us/ http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/specsess/0802/FNPDF/HB0004.pdf
Title: H.B. 4
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
No Child Left Behind |
Active 06/2002 |
P-12 |
2002 Consolidated Plan: (http://www.opi.state.mt.us/ - use search term of "consolidated application")
Source: Montana Department of Public Instruction Web site |
Adult Basic Education |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
Postsec. |
Authorizes the superintendent of public instruction to distribute adult education funds for the support of an adult education program operated by an accredited tribal college in Montana.
Title: H.B. 267
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Career/Technical Education |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
(LC 0135) Revises certain provisions; relates to K-12 vocational education; substitutes "K-12 career and vocational/technical education" for references to K-12 vocational education; revises the K-12 career and vocational/technical education funding formula; eliminates the propriety postsecondary educational advisory council.
Title: H.B. 134
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Authorizes a school district to use a portion of its impact aid funds for repayment of bonds.
Title: S.B. 457
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Requires the Governor and the Superintendent of Public Instruction to conduct a study of the adequacy and equity of funding for K-12 public schools in Montana; provides an appropriation.
Title: H.B. 625
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance--Funding Formulas |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Increases the total partial equivalence relation average number belonging and basic entitlements for public schools for school fiscal years beginning on or after 7/1/01; increases the basic entitlement for an elementary school district or a K-12 school district elementary program to a specified amount; increases the basic entitlement for a high school district to a specified amount.
Title: H.B. 121
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance--Funding Formulas |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Under current law, if entitlements increase by more than 4% in a single fiscal year, school budgets not at the BASE might not be able to increase the full amount of the increase. This bill removes that restriction. As a result, school budgets and local tax levies might be higher.
Title: H.B. 164
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance--State Budgets/Expenditures |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Revises laws governing dedicated revenue and statutory appropriations; provides for the deposit of state school fund revenue in the state special revenue fund; appropriates timber harvest funds to schools for technology acquisition.
Title: H.B. 41
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Authorizes trustees of a school district to establish and temporarily transfer district funds into independent investment accounts to increase school board control over investments; establishes guidelines for district expenditures for investment accounts; authorizes a district to invest money in investments authorized by the Board of Investments.
Title: S.B. 260
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Requires the Board of Trustees of a school district, upon receipt of a petition signed by 15% or more of the qualified electors of a district requesting the creation of a single-member trustee district, to submit the proposal to the qualified electors of the district; provides criteria for submission of a petition to the board.
Title: S.B. 423
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Health |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Provides start-up costs for school districts to establish school breakfast programs.
Title: H.B. 353
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Authorizes boards of trustees of school districts to enter into interlocal agreements with postsecondary institutions to allow 11th and 12th grade students to obtain credits through attending classes available only at postsecondary institutions; provides eligibility criteria; requires payment of fees by districts from approximate number belonging payments.
Title: H.B. 265
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
Postsec. |
Revises the laws governing family education savings accounts; excludes from income those earnings on accounts that are withdrawn for qualified expenses; imposes a tax on certain withdrawals from accounts instead of recapturing the withdrawals as income; clarifies access to certain records concerning accounts; clarifies the income tax deduction for contributions to an account.
Title: S.B. 258
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
Postsec. |
Makes compliance with the federal military selective service act a prerequisite for State agency or Montana University system employment, payment of State student financial assistance, and enrollment in a postsecondary educational institution of a student receiving financial assistance provided by State funds; requires the adoption of rules by the Department of Administration and the Board of Regents.
Title: S.B. 256
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Finance |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
Postsec. |
Requires the Board of Regents to use a 3 year average enrollment in budget preparation.
Title: H.B. 505
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Governance and Structures |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
Postsec. |
Authorizes an employee of the Montana University system or an individual working on behalf of the university system to serve on the board of directors or other governing board of or to serve as a director, officer, or employee of a business entity that has an agreement with the university system or any other state agency or political subdivision related related to intellectual property and other economic development activities created by the employee or individual.
Title: H.B. 349
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Religion |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Allows a school district to be determine the amount of time for which a student may be released from school for religious instruction.
Title: H.B. 272
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Authorizes the trustees of a school district to enter into an interlocal cooperative agreement with another K-12 accredited public institution to provide educational services to supplement the district's educational program; requires that credits received and classes be approved by the school district and meet graduation requirements; requires that credits must be reported to the district of residence; provides that the district of residence is not responsible for transportation costs.
Title: S.B. 394
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Authorizes a school district to enter into a cooperative purchasing contract with one or more districts for the procurement of supplies and services; provides bidding and advertisement requirements for a cooperative purchasing contract; provides for rejection of all bids.
Title: H.B. 108
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Allows school districts that consolidate to each retain their basic entitlement for 6 years; retains 100% of the entitlement for the 1st 3 years; reduces the entitlement over the next 3 years by 25% each year.
Title: H.B. 488
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Increases the base rate for reimbursement for an individual transportation contract to a specified amount; increases the maximum reimbursement for an individual transportation contract to a specified amount for the 1st student and a specified amount for each additional student.
Title: S.B. 344
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Recognizes excellence in teaching; provides annual professional stipends to teachers who obtain certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
Title: H.B. 42
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Provides for pay and benefits for state employees in the statewide, teachers', and blue collar pay plans; revises the departments authority to develop alternative pay plans; eliminates the statutory pay schedule for teachers; increases the state contribution to the employee group benefits program.
Title: H.B. 13
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Technology--Funding Issues |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Authorizes a district to depreciate technological equipment as an authorized use of the Technology Acquisition and Depreciation Fund; requires voter approval for a levy to increase the districts funds to support technology.
Title: S.B. 313
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Choice of Schools--Choice/Open Enrollment |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Revises the out-of-district tuition laws; eliminates mandatory tuition approval if the resident district provides transportation but is not in the same county as the district of choice; allows a school district to waive tuition for a specific group required to pay tuition while charging tuition to other groups required to pay.
Title: S.B. 65
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Amends the definition of base aid to include a percentage of the special education allowable cost payment; amends definition of maximum general fund budget to increase the special education allowable cost payment component.
Title: S.B. 94
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance--Funding Formulas |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Exempts all school district levies from property tax mill levy limitations; increases the mill levy limit for adult education.
Title: S.B. 117
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance--Funding Formulas |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Revises the school finance laws; clarifies the requirement that a school district operate for both the minimum number of pupil instruction days and the minimum number of hours; clarifies the duty of the County Superintendent regarding the apportionment of County equalization money; prohibits a change in school district boundaries until a district's mill levies have been set.
Title: S.B. 390
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance--Funding Formulas |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Revises school funding through the use of the Public School Fund; revises the structure of the Public School Fund; authorizes the Board of Investments to purchase the mineral rights held by the public school fund; provides that royalty payments on the purchased mineral rights must be deposited in the guarantee account.
Title: S.B. 495
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Authorizes the Board of Trustees of a school district to hold its final budget meeting on or before 8/15; extends the time for providing notification of the final budget meeting.
Title: H.B. 249
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Faculty |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Revises the defined contribution plan provisions under the public employees retirement system; limits liability; revises the allocation of current contributions to an education fund; revises how family law orders and execution of withholding and support obligation orders may be applied; clarifies plan choice provisions for university employees.
Title: H.B. 116
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Revises school district operating expense and purchasing laws by allowing a district to make transfers between different funds or between the final budget and a budget amendment; prohibits transfers from the general fund.
Title: S.B. 436
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Expands the Interlocal Cooperation Act to allow school districts to share teachers, specialists, or superintendents.
Title: S.B. 182
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Accountability--Accreditation |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
Allows for multiyear accreditation of schools; requires compliance with teacher certification laws to receive multiyear accreditation; provides for accreditation of 7th and 8th grades funded at high school rates.
Title: H.B. 103
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Career/Technical Education |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Makes permanent the designation of the Board of Regents as the eligible agency for administering the Carl D. Perkins vocational and applied technology education act programs in Montana; revises the provisions of the Development of the state plan to require creation of a state plan committee.
Title: S.B. 425
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
Provides a second alternative method of electing members to a high school district board of trustees when more than half of the electors of the high school district reside outside of the territory of the elementary school district in which the high school district buildings are located. The second alternative allows the county superintendent to establish four trustee nominating districts within the high school district but outside the elementary school district in which the high school buildings are located. One trustee is elected from each nominating district and three trustees are elected from the elementary district, for a total of seven trustees on the high school board of trustees. Trustees from the elementary district serve on both the high school board of trustees and the elementary board of trustees.
Title: H.B. 321
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
Revises the procedures for opening or reopening an elementary school; allows parents of at least two pupils to petition the trustees; lowers the required average number belonging to two; allows the trustees to open or reopen the school during the current school fiscal year; requires a school to be classified as isolated before opening of reopening during the current school fiscal year.
Title: H.B. 358
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Special Education |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
Revises the special education funding formula to establish fixed limits for distribution of the state's total special education allocation; limiting distribution of the total allocation to 52.5 percent for instructional block grants, 25 percent for reimbursement of districts whose special education costs exceed the related services block grant plus the required district match, 17.5 percent to related services block grants, and 5 percent for special education cooperative and joint board administration and travel; eliminating the requirement to distribute to districts pro rata shares of available special education appropriations when total special education costs exceed legislative appropriations; amending sections 20-7-431 and 20-9-321, MCA; and providing an effective data and an applicability date.
Title: H.B. 160
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay--Retirement/Benefits |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
Relates to the teachers' retirement system; relates to member eligibility for benefits, purchasing of service, tax deferred contributions, and administrative expenditures; concerns assets held in trust; revises the calculation of postretirement earnings; clarifies the procedure for designation of beneficiaries and payment of death benefits.
Title: H.B. 97
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 02/2001 |
Postsec. |
Coordinates school election dates; requires a person seeking to become a write in candidate for a trustee position on a school board to file a declaration of intent at least 25 days before the election.
Title: H.B. 91
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance--State Budgets/Expenditures |
Signed into law 05/2000 |
P-12 |
Reduces property taxes by increasing direct state aid to school districts; clarifies that the amount of motor vehicle disposition attributable to certain levies is a local government reimbursement; provides increased state funding.
Title: H.B. 4A
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |