The bill amends Section 20-4-134 of the Montana Code Annotated to increase the professional stipends for teachers who hold National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification. The annual stipend for eligible teachers will be adjusted to an amount equivalent to 50% of the quality educator payment for the applicable year, with a maximum of $1,500 for those meeting basic criteria. For teachers in high-poverty or impacted schools, the stipend increases to an amount equivalent to 85% of the quality educator payment, with a maximum of $2,500.

Additionally, the bill outlines the state's contribution towards these stipends, specifying that for the first stipend, the state will pay 50% of the maximum amount, and for the second stipend, it will pay 55%. The bill also establishes a mechanism for annual inflationary adjustments to the stipends. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2025, and they will apply to stipends paid for school years beginning on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 20-4-134
HB0260_1(1): 20-4-134
HB0260_1(2): 20-4-134
HB0260_1(3): 20-4-134
HB0260_1(4): 20-4-134
HB0260_1(5): 20-4-134
HB0260_1(6): 20-4-134
HB0260_1(7): 20-4-134
HB0260_1: 20-4-134
HB0260_X: 20-4-134