House Bill No. [insert bill number] seeks to enhance early literacy targeted intervention programs in Montana by revising existing education laws. The bill allows school districts to partner with community organizations to include children in enrollment counts for Average Number Belonging (ANB) purposes, specifically for those enrolled in early literacy programs. It establishes a temporary grant program to support the creation or expansion of these programs, with appropriations made to amend sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA), including 20-9-311, 20-9-313, and 20-9-516. Key amendments permit districts to count students in early literacy programs provided they are supervised by the school board and taught by district-employed teachers.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new early literacy targeted intervention boost grant program for the biennium starting July 1, 2025, which allocates $1,000 for every increased ANB count to assist districts in expanding their early literacy initiatives without burdening local taxpayers. A total of $2 million is appropriated from the school facility and technology account for this purpose. The act will take effect upon passage and approval, applying to school fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2025, and will terminate on June 30, 2027.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 20-9-311, 20-9-313, 20-9-516
HB0654_1(1): 20-9-311, 20-9-313, 20-9-516
HB0654_1(2): 20-9-311, 20-9-313, 20-9-516
HB0654_1(3): 20-9-311, 20-9-313, 20-9-516
HB0654_1(4): 20-9-311, 20-9-313, 20-9-516
HB0654_1: 20-9-311, 20-9-313, 20-9-516