- 2025
69th Legislature 2025 HB 591
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – HB 591
ENROLLED BILL
AN ACT INSTITUTING THE DESIGNATING THE LAST FULL WEEK IN SEPTEMBER AS CELEBRATE
FREEDOM WEEK IN MONTANA'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS; PROVIDING THAT AT LEAST 3 HOURS OF
INSTRUCTION ABOUT THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION,
AND THE MONTANA CONSTITUTION BE PROVIDED DURING CELEBRATE FREEDOM WEEK;
REQUIRING SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ENSURE THAT PUPILS IN GRADES 3 THROUGH 12 RECITE A
CERTAIN PASSAGE FROM THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; PROVIDING EXCEPTIONS FOR
PARENTAL REQUESTS, FOR CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTIONS, OR FOR CHILDREN OF CERTAIN
FOREIGN REPRESENTATIVES REQUIRING THE TRUSTEES TO ADOPT A POLICY TO ENSURE THE
EFFECTIVE CONDUCT OF COMMEMORATIVE EXERCISES REQUIRED BY LAW; AMENDING SECTION
20-1-306, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.”
WHEREAS, informing students about the sacrifices made during the founding of the United States and
the values that underpin the nation is a worthy educational goal; and
WHEREAS, promoting an in-depth understanding of founding documents, including the Declaration of
Independence, the United States Constitution, and the Montana Constitution and their historical context and
significance, will further this goal; and
WHEREAS, students should have a clear understanding of the relationship between ideas in the
Declaration of Independence and key events in American history, including immigration, the American
Revolution, the formulation of the Constitution, the abolitionist movement, and the women's suffrage movement;
and
WHEREAS, the learning process will help instill a sense of patriotism and civic responsibility among
students; and
WHEREAS, a designated time during the school year when these principles are highlighted is a worthy
use of school time. - 2025
69th Legislature 2025 HB 591
- 2 - Authorized Print Version – HB 591
ENROLLED BILLBE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
Section 1. Section 20-1-306, MCA, is amended to read:
"20-1-306. (1) All districts shall conduct appropriate
exercises during the school day on the following commemorative days:
(a) Lincoln's Birthday (February 12);
(b) Washington's Birthday (February 22);
(c) Arbor Day (last Friday in April);
(d) Flag Day (June 14);
(e) Citizenship Day (September 17);
(f) American Indian Heritage Day (fourth Friday in September);
(g) Columbus Day (October 12);
(h) Pioneer Day (November 1);
(i) Freedom Week (last full week of September), to educate students about the sacrifices made for
freedom in the founding of the United States and the values on which the United States was founded;
(j) other days designated by the legislature or governor as legal holidays.
(2) When these commemorative days fall on Saturday or Sunday, exercises may be conducted the
preceding Friday.
(3) The trustees of a district shall adopt a policy to address and ensure the effective conduct of
appropriate exercises for the commemorative days provided in subsection (1)."
Section 2. [This act] is effective July 1, 2025.
- END - I hereby certify that the within bill,
HB 591, originated in the House.
___________________________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
___________________________________________
Speaker of the House
Signed this _______________________________day
of____________________________________, 2025.
___________________________________________
President of the Senate
Signed this _______________________________day
of____________________________________, 2025. HOUSE BILL NO. 591
INTRODUCED BY G. OBLANDER, S. KLAKKEN, E. ALBUS, A. NICASTRO, T. SHARP, C. COCHRAN, E.
TILLEMAN, C. SPRUNGER, S. FITZPATRICK, C. GLIMM, B. LER, J. ETCHART, B. BARKER, L. BREWSTER,
N. DURAM, T. FALK, G. HERTZ, G. KMETZ, T. MCGILLVRAY, G. NIKOLAKAKOS, J. TREBAS, Z. WIRTH, J.
HINKLE, J. DARLING
AN ACT INSTITUTING THE DESIGNATING THE LAST FULL WEEK IN SEPTEMBER AS CELEBRATE
FREEDOM WEEK IN MONTANA'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS; PROVIDING THAT AT LEAST 3 HOURS OF
INSTRUCTION ABOUT THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION,
AND THE MONTANA CONSTITUTION BE PROVIDED DURING CELEBRATE FREEDOM WEEK; REQUIRING
SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ENSURE THAT PUPILS IN GRADES 3 THROUGH 12 RECITE A CERTAIN
PASSAGE FROM THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; PROVIDING EXCEPTIONS FOR PARENTAL
REQUESTS, FOR CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTIONS, OR FOR CHILDREN OF CERTAIN FOREIGN
REPRESENTATIVES REQUIRING THE TRUSTEES TO ADOPT A POLICY TO ENSURE THE EFFECTIVE
CONDUCT OF COMMEMORATIVE EXERCISES REQUIRED BY LAW; AMENDING SECTION 20-1-306, MCA;
AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.”