MontanaSB 3569th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)SenateWALLET

Clarify enrollment counts for early literacy jumpstart program

Sponsored By: Daniel Emrich (Republican)

Became Law

Schools and EducationSchool Finance

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Up to $1,000 for home reading help

Beginning July 1, 2025, the state pays for eligible home-based early reading programs. The payment is up to $1,000 per child each year. Money comes from funds set aside by the legislature. If funds run out, spots are first-come, first-served and payments may be limited or unavailable.

Early reading counts and no Jumpstart tuition

Starting July 1, 2025, schools must count students in classroom early reading programs in enrollment used for funding. For Jumpstart, each child counts as quarter-time. The district also adds 0.25 to the student’s regular count in both the October and February counts after participation, for up to 1.25 total. If a child attends Jumpstart in a different district, no out-of-district agreement or tuition is required. These Jumpstart counting and tuition rules apply retroactively to programs held after the end of the 2025 school year.

Annual reports on early reading results

Starting July 1, 2025, school trustees who run early reading programs must report by July 15 each year with anonymized student progress, eligibility methods, and tests used. The superintendent protects the data and reports by September 1 to two interim committees. The report compares intervention types (including no intervention), shows counts, grades 4–6 reading results, long-term outcomes, and lists participating and matched comparison schools.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Daniel Emrich
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

Melissa Romano
Democrat • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 294 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/29/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 95 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/28/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 99 • No: 0

Senate vote • 1/21/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 50 • No: 0

Senate vote • 1/20/2025