Senate Bill No. [number] aims to enhance the Montana Indian language preservation program by revising existing education laws to better support the preservation of American Indian cultural integrity as outlined in the Montana Constitution. The bill emphasizes the importance of tribal sovereignty and provides greater flexibility for tribes in implementing the program. Key changes include the replacement of "partnering school districts" with "educational entities," which broadens the scope of potential partnerships to include various educational institutions such as public school districts, community choice schools, and tribal schools. Additionally, the bill encourages collaboration between the Montana Indian language preservation program and Indian language immersion programs in school districts.

The bill also outlines specific requirements for tribal governments wishing to participate in the program, including the submission of applications that detail partnerships with educational entities and plans for curriculum development. It mandates annual reporting to the office of public instruction and establishes that any cultural and intellectual property rights from program efforts belong to the tribes. Furthermore, the bill includes provisions for notifying tribal governments about the act and sets an effective date of July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 20-9-537
SB0182_1(1): 20-9-537
SB0182_1(2): 20-9-537
SB0182_1(3): 20-9-537
SB0182_1(4): 20-9-537
SB0182_1: 20-9-537