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MontanaHB 40069th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Enact the "Free to Speak Act"

Sponsored By: Braxton Mitchell (Republican)

Signed by Governor

CommunicationsDiscriminationEducation - K-12

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Sue public schools over compelled speech

If you are harmed by a violation, you can sue a public school or the State. You can ask the court to stop the violation, get money damages, and recover reasonable attorney fees and costs. You must file within 2 years of the violation. The law takes effect immediately.

Public schools cannot compel pronouns or names

Public schools and the State cannot punish you for refusing to share your pronouns. They also cannot punish you for refusing to use a non-legal name or a pronoun or title that does not match a person’s sex. Contracted workers count as employees. Protections apply when employees are acting within their job duties. Coverage includes noncharter public schools, public charter schools, and public colleges. It does not include private or home schools. The law takes effect immediately.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Braxton Mitchell

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Barry Usher

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 170 • No: 126

Senate vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 28 • No: 20

Senate vote • 4/10/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 28 • No: 22

House vote • 2/21/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 56 • No: 42

House vote • 2/20/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 58 • No: 42

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/5/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/1/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    4/25/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    4/25/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    4/23/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/15/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/11/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading

    4/11/2025Senate

  9. 2nd Reading

    4/10/2025Senate

  10. Committee Report

    4/3/2025Senate

  11. Committee Executive Action

    4/3/2025Senate

  12. Hearing

    3/28/2025Senate

  13. Referred to Committee

    3/3/2025Senate

  14. 1st Reading

    2/24/2025Senate

  15. Transmitted to Senate

    2/21/2025House

  16. 3rd Reading

    2/21/2025House

  17. 2nd Reading

    2/20/2025House

  18. Committee Report

    2/17/2025House

  19. Committee Executive Action

    2/17/2025House

  20. Hearing

    2/11/2025House

  21. 1st Reading

    2/6/2025House

  22. Referred to Committee

    2/6/2025House

  23. Introduced

    2/5/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/14/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    2/17/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    2/5/2025

    PDF

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