MT HB654

School districts may include students in early literacy targeted intervention classroom-based programs in their Average Number Belonging (ANB) enrollment counts for funding purposes, provided the programs remain under district control and use district-employed teachers

Districts expanding enrollment in early literacy intervention programs can increase their ANB count by submitting estimates to the county superintendent for approval by the superintendent of public instruction by the fourth Monday in June

Creates a temporary Early Literacy Targeted Intervention Boost Grant program providing $1,000 per additional ANB for districts expanding early literacy intervention programs, funded by a $2 million appropriation from the school facility and technology account

Grant funds must be deposited in the district's miscellaneous programs fund and spent by June 30, 2027 on classroom modifications or curriculum purchases related to program expansion

The grant program and ANB increase provisions terminate June 30, 2027, with the act taking effect immediately upon passage and applying to school fiscal years beginning July 1, 2025