MT SB565

Creates a Montana Endowment for Early Childhood as a permanent fund with a $150 million general fund transfer by August 1, 2025, with only interest earnings available for expenditure on a quarterly basis

Establishes a 7-member Montana Early Childhood Account Board appointed by the governor, including representatives from DPHHS, Department of Labor and Industry, Office of Public Instruction, Department of Commerce, and two community early childhood organization representatives serving 3-year terms

Authorizes grants for early childhood workforce development (training, recruitment, retention stipends), quality improvement initiatives, affordability programs including child-care subsidies, community child-care expansion, and emergency disaster relief for child-care facilities

Imposes a $25 fee on child-care facilities renewing a lapsed license or registration certificate, with proceeds deposited into the early childhood account

Requires annual reporting by September 1 to the education and children/families interim committees detailing grant recipients, amounts, purposes, and program efficacy