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69th Legislature 2025 LC0291.1
1 _____________ BILL NO. _____________
2 INTRODUCED BY _________________________________________________
3
4 A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT GENERALLY REVISING EDUCATION LAWS; ESTABLISHING A
5 LEGISLATIVE GOAL FOR PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO SUPPORT
6 INSTRUCTION OF PREVENTION AND AVOIDANCE OF CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING AND HUMAN
7 TRAFFICKING; REQUIRING THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION TO UNDERTAKE ACTIVITIES TO
8 EDUCATE MONTANANS ABOUT AND PREVENT CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING;
9 AMENDING SECTIONS 20-1-102 AND 20-7-1316, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.”
10
11 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
12
13 Section 1. Section 20-1-102, MCA, is amended to read:
14 "20-1-102. Legislative goals for public elementary and secondary schools. It is the goal of the
15 legislature that Montana's public elementary and secondary school system, in cooperation with parents or
16 guardians, create a learning environment for each student that:
17 (1) develops a sound foundation for literacy and numeracy during the early years that is built upon
18 and reinforced throughout the educational experience;
19 (2) furthers the ability to reason critically, creatively, and strategically;
20 (3) fosters the ability to effectively understand and communicate ideas, knowledge, and thoughts;
21 (4) develops a sense of personal and civic responsibility;
22 (5) provides an in-depth understanding of the American political, social, and economic systems
23 and the historical context from which they arose;
24 (6) provides familiarization with political, social, and economic systems found elsewhere in the
25 world;
26 (7) develops a strong work ethic, postsecondary readiness, and employment skills;
27 (8) encourages a healthy lifestyle; and
28 (9) supports instruction of financial literacy, where students obtain the knowledge and skills
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69th Legislature 2025 LC0291.1
1 required to succeed financially; and
2 (10) supports instruction of avoidance of participation or involvement in and prevention of child sex
3 trafficking and human trafficking."
4
5 Section 2. Section 20-7-1316, MCA, is amended to read:
6 "20-7-1316. Child sex trafficking and human trafficking prevention. The office of public instruction
7 is encouraged to shall undertake activities to educate Montanans about and prevent child sex trafficking and
8 human trafficking. Activities may include but are not limited to:
9 (1) reviewing best practices for preventing child sex trafficking and human trafficking;
10 (2) providing access to educational resources for interested parents, teachers, child-care
11 providers, and other community members on how to prevent child sex trafficking and human trafficking, on the
12 warning signs of child sex trafficking and human trafficking, and on predatory behaviors;
13 (3) coordinating educational and prevention efforts with law enforcement, the department of public
14 health and human services, and local organizations that work to prevent child sex trafficking and human
15 trafficking; and
16 (4) supporting school districts in developing:
17 (a) policies on child sex trafficking and human trafficking awareness, prevention, response, and
18 reporting; and
19 (b) educational materials and curricula aimed at preventing child sex trafficking and human
20 trafficking."
21
22 NEW SECTION. Section 3. Effective date. [This act] is effective July 1, 2025.
23 - END -
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