MontanaHB 2469th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Clarify laws related to kindergarten

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Kindergarten access and parent choice

School trustees must offer a kindergarten program for children who are age 5 by September 10 or admitted by exception. The program must meet at least half-time hours and be part of the elementary school. If full-time kindergarten is offered, parents may choose half-time enrollment. Each year, school boards must give families updated information on options, including starting at age 5 and the half-time choice. Kindergarten is a one-year program before first grade and must align with state standards.

Free preschool allowed, no state aid

Districts may run free preschool for ages 3–5. They cannot use state equalization aid to pay for preschool. Preschool students are not counted in ANB for funding. Districts must use other money, which can affect local budgets and availability.

When these school rules start

The law takes effect July 1, 2025. It applies to school fiscal years that start on or after that date.

Minimum school hours and penalties

The law sets minimum yearly class time. Half-time kindergarten must be 360 hours. Full-time kindergarten and grades 1–3 must be 720 hours. Grades 4–12 must be 1,080 hours. Students who show proficiency under state law are exempt from these hour minimums. If a district (outside an unforeseen emergency) fails to give the required hours to a pupil who is not proficient, the state cuts the district’s BASE aid. The cut equals two times an hourly rate for each hour missed per pupil. The Office of Public Instruction sets the hourly rate.

New rules for student funding counts

For funding, a student’s yearly hours set their fraction of full-time: 180–359 hours = 0.25, 360–539 = 0.5, 540–719 = 0.75, 720+ = 1.0. Under 180 hours is not counted unless the pupil meets the proficiency exception. When a new elementary or high school opens or reopens, the county superintendent sets an ANB increase and the State Superintendent reviews it. If a nearby school closes, the district and county superintendent set an ANB increase and the State Superintendent must act by the fourth Monday in June. Early graduates are counted as if they attended the full school year, subject to state review. County superintendents must estimate ANB for opening schools and for projected increases under state law. Starting July 1, 2025, the fixed first-year kindergarten counting rule and the special transitional counting rule for moving from half-time to full-time kindergarten are removed. Districts must use the general ANB rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Melissa Romano
Democrat • House

Cosponsors

Sara Novak
Democrat • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 268 • No: 30

Senate vote • 3/21/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 49 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/20/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 49 • No: 1

House vote • 1/21/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 79 • No: 20

House vote • 1/20/2025