MontanaHB 59969th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Revise student data collection laws

Sponsored By: Melissa Nikolakakos (Republican)

Became Law

Information TechnologyPrivacySchools and EducationMinors

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Parents control school data, health, and recordings

You can access all of your child’s school records, including emails, discipline, counseling, and health data. You can opt your child out of surveys or data collection sent to the statewide system. Basic education records and needed admissions demographics are not covered. If a survey needs personally identifiable data, the school must get your opt-in. Schools must tell you about opt-outs for physical and mental health screenings and share any concerns they find. Government employees, except law enforcement, cannot tell your child to hide things from you or withhold health-related information from you. No biometric scans, blood or DNA records, or audio/video recordings of your child without your consent; exceptions apply for courts, law enforcement, forensic interviews, school security, and ID photos. A court order can allow blood or DNA records.

Stronger parental control over kids' education and care

Parents have exclusive rights to direct a child’s upbringing, education, and health care. The government cannot interfere unless it proves a compelling reason and uses the least restrictive way. You can choose public, private, religious, or home school and make reasonable choices with public schools.

Consent for opposite-sex rooming on trips

Schools must notify you and get your consent before your child shares sleeping quarters with an opposite-sex individual on a school trip. If you withhold consent, your child can still go and must receive reasonable accommodations that avoid opposite-sex rooming.

Parents can sue to enforce rights

You can raise a violation of your parental rights in court or in agency hearings. If you win, you can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs. The law defines who is covered and what records are included, like a child (under 18), broad education records (attendance, tests, emails, health, and discipline), and government entities (state, local, and schools). It also defines “substantial burden,” including withholding benefits, penalties, or program exclusion.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Melissa Nikolakakos
Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 246 • No: 149

House vote • 4/22/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 29 • No: 21

House vote • 4/18/2025

AMD-HB0599.002.001 Emrich D/PASS

Yes: 23 • No: 26

House vote • 4/18/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 27 • No: 22

House vote • 4/17/2025

Take HB 599 from Comm-McKamey

Yes: 27 • No: 23

House vote • 3/7/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 74 • No: 25

House vote • 3/5/2025