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Committee rejects measure adjusting funding rules for students in state inpatient treatment; HB669 fails
Summary
House Bill 669, which proposed changes to funding and leftover allocation for school districts serving children in state inpatient treatment for serious emotional disturbances, failed in the committee by a decisive roll‑call (3–11).
House Bill 669, carried from Representative Beatty, sought to modify certain funding language affecting Montana children receiving educational services while in state inpatient treatment for serious emotional disturbances, including allowing leftover funds from an appropriation to flow to districts serving students with significant behavioral or physical needs.
Mr. McCracken summarized the bill for the committee. Vice Chair Novak and other senators discussed the concerns raised by the state superintendent and the limits imposed by federal IDEA funding; Novak emphasized these are federal IDEA funds allocated to OPI and cautioned about state-level changes that could jeopardize federal allocations. Several senators, including Vice Chair Novak and Chair Fuller, said they would vote no given the superintendent’s concern and possible federal implications. The roll call produced 3 ayes and 11 nays, and the bill failed on the motion to concur.
Committee members recorded the outcome and moved on to subsequent agenda items.
