MontanaHB 2469th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Clarify laws related to kindergarten

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Kindergarten guaranteed, with half-time choice

Beginning July 1, 2025, every elementary district must offer kindergarten for children who turn 5 on or before September 10. Districts may run half-time (360 hours) or full-time (720 hours) programs. If a district offers full-time kindergarten, parents can enroll their child half-time. The program is part of the elementary school and must meet the state’s hour rules.

First-year funding for new kindergarten

Beginning July 1, 2025, when a district opens a new kindergarten, its first-year funding uses the count of 5-year-old residents as of September 10. Half-time kindergarten uses 50% of that count; full-time uses 100%. Counts must come from the official school census or another method approved by the state.

District preschool allowed, no state aid

Beginning July 1, 2025, a district may run a free preschool for children ages 3 to 5 as part of the elementary school. The district may not use state equalization aid to pay for preschool. Funding must come from other sources the district controls.

Minimum school hours and penalties

Beginning July 1, 2025, schools must meet these yearly minimum hours: half-time kindergarten 360, full-time kindergarten 720, grades 1–3 720, and grades 4–12 1,080. A graduating senior may meet the rule with 1,050 hours. Students who show proficiency under 20-9-311(4)(d) do not need these minimum hours. If a district (not in an unforeseen emergency) fails to give the required hours to a student who has not shown proficiency, the state cuts that district’s BASE aid. The cut equals 2 times an hourly rate set by the state times the hours missed for each such student.

How hours convert to state funding

Beginning July 1, 2025, the state counts enrollment for funding by hours. 180–359 hours count as 0.25 ANB, 360–539 as 0.50, 540–719 as 0.75, and 720+ as 1.00. Programs under 180 hours do not count unless the student shows proficiency under local board rules. If a student shows proficiency, the school converts them using the usual hours for that content.

Yearly notice of school options

Beginning July 1, 2025, your school district must give families a yearly list of learning options and supports. It must cover items like special education evaluation (starting at age 3), early reading help, part-time enrollment, proficiency-based learning, extracurricular access, remote classes, career and technical education, and dual enrollment/early college. Boards may use model resources to meet this duty.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Melissa Romano
Democrat • House

Cosponsors

Sara Novak
Democrat • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 268 • No: 29

House vote • 3/21/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 49 • No: 1

House 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