MontanaHB 40069th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Enact the "Free to Speak Act"

Sponsored By: Braxton Mitchell (Republican)

Became Law

CommunicationsDiscrimination and Human RightsSchools and Education

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Right to sue if law is broken

If a public school or the State of Montana violates this law, you can sue. You can ask a court to stop the harm, get money damages, and recover reasonable attorney fees and costs. You must file within 2 years after the violation. You can sue only a public school or the state. This law is in effect now.

Students and staff protected from compelled speech

Montana public schools, public charter schools, and public colleges cannot discipline a student for refusing to state the student’s pronouns. They also cannot punish a student for refusing to use a nonlegal name or a pronoun or title that does not match a person’s sex. Public employees cannot face job harm for refusing to state their own pronouns while on duty. They also cannot be punished for refusing to use a nonlegal name or a pronoun or title that does not match a person’s sex, on or off duty. This law is in effect now.

Montana government can't punish pronoun refusal

The State of Montana and local governments cannot penalize you for refusing to identify your pronouns. They also cannot punish you for refusing to use a nonlegal name or a pronoun or title that does not match a person’s sex. This applies when you interact with state agencies, counties, cities, school boards, and other state bodies. This law is in effect now.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Braxton Mitchell
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Barry Usher
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 168 • No: 126

House vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 28 • No: 20

House vote • 4/10/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 27 • No: 22

House vote • 2/21/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 56 • No: 42

House vote • 2/20/2025