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MontanaHB 15169th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Revise educational laws pertaining to recruitment and retention and MSDB

Sponsored By: Connie Keogh (Democrat)

Signed by Governor

Education - K-12Developmental DisabilitiesEducation - Teachers

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Paid teacher residencies with service rules

Beginning July 1, 2025, the teacher residency program provides housing or a housing allowance, a last‑dollar tuition grant for the residency year, a stipend for the teacher‑leader, and pay for the resident. Some resident pay can require you to finish the program and sign a Montana public school teaching contract for the next year. If you do not finish or you do not teach in a Montana public school for at least 3 years within 5 years, the tuition grant is turned into a loan. More public education entities can host or partner in residencies, including districts, special education cooperatives, the School for the Deaf and Blind, correctional facilities, and the youth challenge program.

More schools get educator payments

The state now sends quality educator payments to more entities: special education cooperatives, the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind, correctional facilities, and the Montana Youth Challenge Program. A special education cooperative that has not met the law’s requirements cannot get funding unless the Superintendent approves.

More student loan help for teachers

Beginning July 1, 2025, quality educators at impacted schools—including qualified educational sign language interpreters—can get state repayment of part or all of their existing student loans. The state pays for up to 3 years in your lifetime. Your school or district may add 1 extra year if you stay at the same impacted school or another impacted school in the same district. Loans must be outstanding when you apply.

More support for school interpreters

Beginning July 1, 2025, educational sign language interpreters who meet Board qualifications and work for eligible entities count as quality educators. That makes them eligible for educator programs and benefits. The quality educator payment now counts these interpreters. It applies to interpreters employed in the school year starting July 1, 2024 and later, and payments to their employers increase starting in school fiscal year 2026.

MSDB covers more student travel

Beginning July 1, 2025, the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind pays or reimburses travel for Montana resident residential students when a school bus is used. The superintendent decides the approved transport method under Board rules. Parents or guardians with an individual transport contract get reimbursed under Board rules. Trips are limited to the number of round trips in the approved school calendar, but the superintendent can grant variances.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Connie Keogh

    Democrat • House

Cosponsors

  • John Fuller

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 645 • No: 50

House vote • 4/11/2025

Do Adopt

Yes: 90 • No: 9

House vote • 4/11/2025

Do Adopt

Yes: 94 • No: 6

Senate vote • 4/10/2025

Do Adopt

Yes: 47 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/9/2025

Do Adopt

Yes: 49 • No: 1

House vote • 3/28/2025

Do Not Concur

Yes: 72 • No: 27

Senate vote • 3/21/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 47 • No: 3

Senate vote • 3/20/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 47 • No: 3

House vote • 1/28/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote • 1/27/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 100 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/19/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/13/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    5/7/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    5/6/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    5/2/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/14/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/11/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading Conference Committee Report

    4/11/2025House

  9. 2nd Reading Conference Committee Report

    4/11/2025House

  10. 3rd Reading Conference Committee Report

    4/10/2025Senate

  11. 2nd Reading Conference Committee Report

    4/9/2025Senate

  12. Hearing

    4/1/2025House

  13. 2nd Reading Senate Amendments

    3/28/2025House

  14. 2nd Reading Pass Consideration

    3/26/2025House

  15. Returned to House with Amendments

    3/21/2025Senate

  16. 3rd Reading

    3/21/2025Senate

  17. 2nd Reading

    3/20/2025Senate

  18. Revised Fiscal Note Printed

    2/24/2025House

  19. Revised Fiscal Note Signed

    2/22/2025House

  20. Revised Fiscal Note Received

    2/21/2025House

  21. Revised Fiscal Note Requested

    2/18/2025House

  22. Committee Report

    2/14/2025Senate

  23. Committee Executive Action

    2/13/2025Senate

  24. Committee Executive Action

    2/13/2025Senate

  25. Hearing

    2/7/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • As Amended (Version 4)

    4/17/2025

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    4/15/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 3)

    2/17/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    1/24/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/9/2025

    PDF

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