The proposed bill aims to revise school funding laws in Montana by allowing 3-year-old and 4-year-old children with disabilities who are participating in school district special education programs to be included in the Average Number Belonging (ANB) calculations. Specifically, it amends Section 20-9-311 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to state that while enrollment of preschool pupils in discretionary programs cannot be included in ANB calculations, preschool children with disabilities receiving special education services must be included based on their aggregate hours of pupil instruction. This change addresses the current gap in funding for the education of preschool-aged children with disabilities, ensuring they receive the necessary state financial support.

The bill also establishes an effective date of July 1, 2025, and specifies that it will apply to enrollment counts and ANB calculations conducted in school fiscal years beginning on or after this date. This timeline allows for school districts to prepare for the changes in funding calculations and ensures that the inclusion of preschool children with disabilities in ANB counts will be implemented systematically.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 20-9-311
HB0168_1(1): 20-9-311
HB0168_1(2): 20-9-311
HB0168_1(3): 20-9-311
HB0168_1(4): 20-9-311
HB0168_1(5): 20-9-311
HB0168_1(6): 20-9-311
HB0168_1(7): 20-9-311
HB0168_1(8): 20-9-311
HB0168_1: 20-9-311