House Bill No. introduced by L. Reksten and others establishes a state policy on early literacy instruction, mandating that such instruction be evidence-based and incorporate scientifically supported components. The bill emphasizes the importance of effective reading instruction, which includes phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension strategies. It aims to ensure that reading instruction in public schools is grounded in rigorous research and that educators are equipped with the necessary knowledge to teach these foundational skills effectively. The bill also outlines specific requirements for early literacy instruction, including the necessity for it to be evidence-based, systematic, and explicit.

Key changes in the bill include the deletion of language that previously disallowed ineffective approaches to reading instruction, specifically those that rely on context, structure, syntax, visual cues, and memory. Instead, the bill now requires that the development of accreditation standards, school district policies, and curriculum development processes must meet or exceed minimum instructional requirements. These requirements include a structured approach to teaching phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and is intended to be codified as part of Title 20, chapter 7, part 1 of the Montana Code.