MontanaHB 66969th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Revise laws related to educating children receiving in-state inpatient treatment of serious emotional disturbances

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Inpatient schooling with no extra fees

Beginning July 1, 2025, the state education office can contract with in‑state treatment facilities to teach eligible children during inpatient care. Facilities under contract must give regular reports on each child’s learning and progress. Families cannot be charged any extra education fees or tuition beyond what the law allows. This applies to eligible children getting inpatient treatment for a serious emotional disturbance.

Back‑up teaching when facilities fall short

If a facility does not provide an appropriate program or will not contract, the state provides the teaching with its staff or contractors. The child’s home district reimburses the state at the same daily district rate. Or, the state may work with the district where the facility sits to supervise and run the program. Payments then follow the usual out‑of‑district attendance rules. These back‑up options begin July 1, 2025 and depend on available appropriations.

State and district split daily costs

Beginning July 1, 2025, when the state contracts with a facility, the superintendent sets a daily per‑child rate. The rate must match documented education costs and exclude costs covered by other laws or insurance. The state pays the facility the OPI daily rate minus the district’s share, from available appropriations. The child’s home district must pay a daily amount equal to 40% of the tuition per‑ANB, divided by 180. Children taught under the back‑up options are not also funded under this contract formula.

OPI rules, budgets, and district funds

Beginning July 1, 2025, OPI must adopt rules for tuition calculations, funding distribution, and roles for facilities and schools. OPI includes these payments in its budget and must seek a mid‑biennium supplemental if funds run short. OPI may give some appropriated contract funds to districts to support programs for children with significant needs. Districts must deposit money received under this law in the miscellaneous programs fund, outside certain budget limits. OPI reports every two years by September 30 of even‑numbered years on implementation, the daily rates, and program results.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

David Bedey
Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 309 • No: 86

House vote • 4/23/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 33 • No: 17

House vote • 4/22/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 28 • No: 21

House vote • 4/17/2025

Take HB 669 from Comm-Windy Boy

Yes: 26 • No: 23

House vote • 4/16/2025

Take HB 669 from Comm-Windy Boy

Yes: 25 • No: 25

House vote • 3/7/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote • 3/5/2025