Montana legislation · 2025 Regular Session
Montana HB635: Revise human rights laws to prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion programs
Status: Failed, May 20, 2025
What the bill says
A bill for an act prohibiting state or local government agencies from funding, establishing, or supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs; and defining "diversity, equity, and inclusion program" providing definitions; providing limitations; providing investigatory authority to the attorney general; providing for private right of action; and providing penalties.".
From the engrossed text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT PROHIBITING STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES FROM FUNDING, ESTABLISHING, OR SUPPORTING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION PROGRAMS; AND DEFINING "DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION PROGRAM" PROVIDING DEFINITIONS; PROVIDING LIMITATIONS; PROVIDING INVESTIGATORY AUTHORITY TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL; PROVIDING FOR PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION; AND PROVIDING PENALTIES." BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA: NEW SECTION. SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. AS USED IN [SECTIONS 1 THROUGH 5], UNLESS THE CONTEXT CLEARLY INDICATES OTHERWISE, THE FOLLOWING DEFINITIONS APPLY: (1) "DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION" MEANS ANY PROGRAM OR INITIATIVE OF OR FUNDED BY A STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY THAT: (A) DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY INFLUENCES HIRING, EMPLOYMENT, PROMOTION, TRAINING, RETENTION, OR RECRUITMENT PRACTICES WITH RESPECT TO RACE, COLOR, ETHNICITY, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX, OR RELIGION, OTHER THAN THROUGH THE USE OF NEUTRAL RACE, COLOR, ETHNICITY, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX, OR RELIGION HIRING, EMPLOYMENT, PROMOTION, TRAINING, RETENTION, OR RECRUITMENT PRACTICES OR WITH THE SOLE PURPOSE OF ENSURING COMPLIANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE COURT ORDER OR STATE OR FEDERAL LAW; OR (B) PROMOTES DIVISIVE CONCEPTS, RACE OR SEX STEREOTYPING, OR RACE OR SEX SCAPEGOATING. (2) "DIVISIVE CONCEPTS" INCLUDES BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING (B) THE UNITED STATES IS FUNDAMENTALLY RACIST OR SEXIST; (C) A PERSON, BY VIRTUE OF THE PERSON'S RACE OR SEX, IS INHERENTLY RACIST, SEXIST, OR OPPRESSIVE, WHETHER CONSCIOUSLY …
Sponsors
- Nikolakakos, George (R, 22) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : (H) Died in Process
- : (H) Fiscal Note Printed
- : (H) Fiscal Note Unsigned
- : (H) Fiscal Note Received
- : (H) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal
- : (H) 3rd Reading
- : (H) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
- : (H) Fiscal Note Requested
- : (H) 2nd Reading
- : (H) Scheduled for 2nd Reading
Votes
- Do Pass (March 7, 2025): 41 yea, 58 nay, failed
- Do Pass (March 5, 2025): 52 yea, 46 nay, passed
Subjects: Discrimination
Common questions
- What is HB635?
- HB635 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Revise human rights laws to prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
- What does HB635 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act prohibiting state or local government agencies from funding, establishing, or supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs; and defining "diversity, equity, and inclusion program" providing definitions; providing limitations; providing investigatory authority to the attorney general; providing for private right of action; and providing penalties.".
- What is the status of HB635?
- Failed as of May 20, 2025. Latest action: (H) Died in Process (May 20, 2025).
- Who sponsored HB635?
- Nikolakakos, George (R, 22).
- Where is the official record for HB635?
- On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC4370
Source: official Montana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.