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 specifies that instructional materials and methods must meet or exceed certain minimum requirements, thereby disallowing ineffective approaches to reading instruction.

The bill includes new legal language that defines "evidence-based" as strategies or interventions that demonstrate a rationale based on high-quality research findings likely to improve student outcomes. Additionally, it outlines specific components that must be included in early literacy instruction, such as phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. The act 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.