Loading chat...
MT HB168
Bill
Status
Passed
5/13/2025
Primary Sponsor
Jonathan Karlen
Click for details
AI Summary
- Children with disabilities ages 3-4 receiving special education services from school districts become eligible for inclusion in Average Number Belonging (ANB) calculations, enabling state funding for their education
- Adds preschool-aged children with disabilities in special education programs to the list of "exceptional circumstances" allowing trustees to admit children outside the standard 5-19 age range
- ANB funding for preschool special education students is calculated based on aggregate hours of instruction (quarter-time for 180-359 hours, half-time for 360-539 hours, three-quarter for 540-719 hours, full-time for 720+ hours)
- Addresses a funding gap where Montana law requires districts to provide special education starting at age 3, but previously excluded these children from state funding mechanisms
- Effective July 1, 2025, applying to enrollment counts and ANB calculations for school fiscal years beginning on or after that date
Legislative Description
Provide state funding for preschool children with disabilities
Appropriations
Last Action
Chapter Number Assigned
5/19/2025
Committee Referrals
Education and Cultural Resources4/7/2025
Appropriations1/30/2025
Education1/10/2025
Full Bill Text
No bill text available