Montana legislation · 2025 Regular Session
Montana HB595: Revise qualifications for teachers of adult basic education or high school equivalency programs at state correctional institutions
Status: Signed into law, May 5, 2025
What the bill says
An act requiring the department of corrections to offer a montana correctional education program for inmates; requiring the correctional education program to provide high school equivalency and adult basic education programs; providing qualifications for an instructor of the high school equivalency and adult basic education programs; requiring the department of corrections to adopt certain policies; and providing an effective date.
From the engrossed text:
AN ACT REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO OFFER A MONTANA CORRECTIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR INMATES; REQUIRING THE CORRECTIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM TO PROVIDE HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY AND ADULT BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS; PROVIDING QUALIFICATIONS FOR AN INSTRUCTOR OF THE HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY AND ADULT BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS; REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO ADOPT CERTAIN POLICIES; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Section 1. Montana correctional education program -- instructor qualifications. (1) There is a Montana correctional education program within the department of corrections. The Montana correctional education program shall offer a program for inmates to participate in opportunities in the state prison to further their education, including but not limited to programs to attain a high school equivalency diploma and to participate in adult basic education. (2) To be eligible to be an instructor for a high school equivalency diploma program or an adult basic education program in the state prison, a (b) must be of good moral character; and (c) shall provide proof that the person has at least one of the following (ii) completion of a bachelor's degree in any field; (iii) a teaching certificate issued by another state; or (iv) prior teaching experience, including prior military training and experience pursuant to 37-1-145. (3) The department of corrections may not require that an instructor hold a Montana teacher or …
Sponsors
- Nave, Fiona (R, 56) · primary sponsor
- Vinton, Sue (R, 20)
Latest actions
- : Chapter Number Assigned
- : (H) Signed by Governor
- : (H) Transmitted to Governor
- : (S) Signed by President
- : (H) Signed by Speaker
- : (H) Returned from Enrolling
- : (H) Sent to Enrolling
- : (S) 3rd Reading
- : (S) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
- : (S) 2nd Reading
Votes
- Do Concur (April 15, 2025): 37 yea, 13 nay, passed
- Do Concur (April 14, 2025): 36 yea, 13 nay, passed
- Do Pass (March 7, 2025): 61 yea, 38 nay, passed
- Do Pass (March 6, 2025): 62 yea, 37 nay, passed
Subjects: Corrections, Education - K-12
Common questions
- What is HB595?
- HB595 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Revise qualifications for teachers of adult basic education or high school equivalency programs at state correctional institutions.
- What does HB595 do?
- In its own words: An act requiring the department of corrections to offer a montana correctional education program for inmates; requiring the correctional education program to provide high school equivalency and adult basic education programs; providing qualifications for an instructor of the high school equivalency and adult basic education programs; requiring the department of corrections to adopt certain policies; and providing an effective date.
- What is the status of HB595?
- Signed into law as of May 5, 2025. Latest action: Chapter Number Assigned (May 5, 2025).
- Who sponsored HB595?
- Nave, Fiona (R, 56), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HB595?
- On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC0856
Source: official Montana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.