MontanaHB 11869th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Revise the Montana interstate compact on educational opportunities for military children

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Special education services continue after moves

If your child has an IEP, the new school initially provides comparable services. The school must also give reasonable accommodations under Section 504 and the ADA. The school may evaluate later, but it must follow IDEA and civil-rights laws.

Excused absences, activities, and no tuition

Schools may not charge local tuition when a transitioning military child lives with a noncustodial caregiver in another district. The child may keep attending the original school. Schools must let qualified students join sports and clubs even after deadlines. Superintendents may grant excused absences to visit a parent who is called to, on leave from, or just back from combat deployment; the superintendent decides the details.

Faster school enrollment after moves

Schools must enroll and place your child using unofficial records if official records are delayed. The old school must send official records within 10 days when asked. Families have 30 days after enrollment to get required shots, and must start any vaccine series within 30 days. A properly executed special power of attorney is enough to enroll a child and sign school consents.

Keep grade and course placements

The new school must place your child in the same grade, even if their age is different. It must initially honor honors, AP, IB, vocational, and similar course placements if offered and space is open. It must also initially honor gifted and similar programs when they exist and have space. Local officials can waive course prerequisites to prevent delays.

On-time graduation and diploma help

Schools must waive matching graduation courses if similar work was finished elsewhere or give other ways to earn the credit. States must accept certain alternative tests, like sending-state exit or end-of-course exams or national norm-referenced tests. If a student transfers at the start or during senior year and still cannot graduate after all options, the sending school must issue the diploma if its requirements are met.

Protections for military kids who move

Montana adopts the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. It covers K–12 children of active-duty members. It also covers one year after a parent is medically discharged for severe injury or dies on active duty. It does not cover inactive Guard or Reserve, most retirees, or most veterans.

Interstate commission and rule enforcement

The law creates the Interstate Commission to run the compact. The Commission can make binding rules using a public rulemaking process, and anyone can ask a court to review a new rule within 30 days. It collects standard data and lets parents, schools, and military leaders report violations. The Commission sets mediation and binding dispute steps to resolve problems between states and schools.

Montana council, liaison, and commissioner

Montana sets up a state council to coordinate the compact. The Governor appoints a compact commissioner as the state’s voting member. The council names a military family education liaison to help families with enrollment, records, and other move-related issues.

State costs and capped annual fee

Montana pays compact participation costs through the Department of Military Affairs, including reimbursing council members’ necessary expenses. The Interstate Commission can charge a yearly assessment. Montana’s fee is capped at $2 times the Commission’s per-student amount times the latest count of Montana military children. The state cannot be charged special assessments beyond this cap.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Ed Buttrey
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Sue Vinton
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 294 • No: 2

House vote • 3/17/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 48 • No: 1

House vote • 3/15/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 49 • No: 1

House vote • 1/24/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 98 • No: 0

House vote • 1/23/2025