This bill revises the laws governing public charter schools in Montana, focusing on approval timelines, opening procedures, and initial funding. It requires the Board of Public Education to notify the Office of Public Instruction and the relevant county superintendent about the status of public charter schools. The bill establishes that the Board must approve or deny charter proposals within 90 business days and mandates that public charter schools seeking renewal submit their applications by February 1, with decisions made within 30 business days. It also clarifies that public charter schools governed by local school boards are not eligible for the per-ANB entitlement in their first year of operation, although they can qualify based on planned enrollment, subject to clawback provisions.

Furthermore, the bill amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to enhance the charter proposal process and funding calculations. It specifies that public charter schools are exempt from certain school opening requirements and outlines a performance framework that includes academic and operational indicators for evaluating charter schools. The Board is tasked with monitoring compliance, issuing annual reports, and providing corrective action opportunities as needed. The bill is effective upon passage and approval, with retroactive applicability for public charter schools approved to begin operations in school years starting on or after July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_1(1): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_1(2): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_1(3): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_1(4): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_1(5): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_1(6): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_1(7): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_1: 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_2(1): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_2(10): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_2(11): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_2(2): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_2(3): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_2(4): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_2(5): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_2(6): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_2(7): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_2(8): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_2(9): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_2: 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_3: 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_X(1): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_X(10): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_X(11): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_X(12): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_X(13): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_X(14): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_X(15): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_X(16): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_X(17): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_X(2): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_X(3): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_X(4): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_X(5): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_X(6): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_X(7): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_X(8): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_X(9): 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812
HB0028_X: 20-6-804, 20-6-805, 20-6-806, 20-6-809, 20-6-812