House Bill No. introduced by G. Nikolakakos and others establishes the "Montana Individual Freedom Act," which prohibits state and local government agencies, including the Department of Military Affairs, from using funds to purchase memberships, goods, or services from organizations that discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, disability, or religion. Additionally, the bill restricts these agencies from expending funds on programs that advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as on political or social activism. The bill includes definitions for key terms and outlines the scope of the prohibitions.
The Attorney General is granted investigatory authority to enforce these provisions and may adopt rules for the investigation of alleged violations. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and is intended to be codified as a new chapter in Title 49 of the Montana Code.