MT HB663

Prohibits Montana institutions of higher education from considering race, color, ethnicity, or national origin in admissions, hiring, scholarships, financial aid, and program participation, including affirmative action programs

Bars officers, employees, and agents of higher education institutions from taking any actions that facilitate discrimination based on these protected characteristics

Prohibits use of aggregated demographic data to make admissions, scholarship, or financial aid decisions

Creates a private cause of action against institutions and individual employees for violations, with remedies including compensatory damages, punitive damages, $4,000 in statutory damages per violation, and injunctive/declaratory relief

Waives the state's sovereign immunity for lawsuits under this act; applies to the Montana university system and eligible educational institutions; effective October 1, 2026