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MontanaHB 16869th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Provide state funding for preschool children with disabilities

Sponsored By: Jonathan Karlen (Democrat)

Became Law

School FinanceDevelopmental Disabilities, Persons WithSchools and EducationAppropriations

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Under-5 children can start school early

Beginning July 1, 2025, local school trustees can admit children under age 5 in exceptional cases. Examples include a trustee-run preschool program, early kindergarten when the board finds the child ready and a parent asks, an early literacy or jumpstart class, or admission to special education. Admission is decided by the local board of trustees. This opens earlier access to public preschool, kindergarten, or special education for eligible children.

More school funding for preschoolers with disabilities

Beginning July 1, 2025, school districts count preschool children with disabilities in the student total used for state funding. These children must be receiving the special education services required by state law. The count is based on their total hours of instruction and follows the state’s hourly enrollment rules. This helps districts receive funding to support preschool special education.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jonathan Karlen

    Democrat • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 300 • No: 195

House vote • 4/22/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 29 • No: 21

House vote • 4/18/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 26 • No: 23

House vote • 4/17/2025

Take HB 168 from Comm-Novak

Yes: 27 • No: 23

House vote • 4/16/2025

Take HB 168 from Comm-Novak

Yes: 24 • No: 26

House vote • 4/5/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 64 • No: 34

House vote • 4/4/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 63 • No: 36

House vote • 1/30/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 67 • No: 32

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

    5/7/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    5/6/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/25/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/22/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading Concurred

    4/22/2025Senate

  9. 2nd Reading Concurred

    4/18/2025Senate

  10. Taken from Committee; Placed on 2nd Reading

    4/17/2025Senate

  11. Motion Failed

    4/16/2025Senate

  12. Tabled in Committee

    4/15/2025Senate

  13. Hearing

    4/14/2025Senate

  14. Referred to Committee

    4/7/2025Senate

  15. First Reading

    4/7/2025Senate

  16. Transmitted to Senate

    4/5/2025House

  17. 3rd Reading Passed

    4/5/2025House

  18. Revised Fiscal Note Printed

    4/4/2025House

  19. 2nd Reading Passed

    4/4/2025House

  20. Revised Fiscal Note Signed

    4/3/2025House

  21. Sponsor Rebuttal to Fiscal Note Signed

    4/3/2025House

  22. Sponsor Rebuttal to Fiscal Note Received

    4/3/2025House

  23. Sponsor Rebuttal to Fiscal Note Requested

    4/3/2025House

  24. Fiscal Note Unsigned

    4/3/2025House

  25. Revised Fiscal Note Requested

    3/31/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/23/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    3/31/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/10/2025

    PDF

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