****
69th Legislature 2025 HB 595.1
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – HB 595
1 HOUSE BILL NO. 595
2 INTRODUCED BY F. NAVE, K. SEEKINS-CROWE
3
4 A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO OFFER
5 A MONTANA CORRECTIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR INMATES; REQUIRING THE
6 CORRECTIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM TO PROVIDE HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY AND ADULT
7 BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS; PROVIDING QUALIFICATIONS FOR AN INSTRUCTOR OF THE HIGH
8 SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY AND ADULT BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS; REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT
9 OF CORRECTIONS TO ADOPT CERTAIN POLICIES; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.”
10
11 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
12
13 NEW SECTION. Section 1.
14 (1) There is a Montana correctional education program within the department of corrections. The Montana
15 correctional education program shall offer a program for inmates to participate in opportunities in the state
16 prison to further their education, including but not limited to programs to attain a high school equivalency
17 diploma and to participate in adult basic education.
18 (2) To be eligible to be an instructor for a high school equivalency diploma program or an adult
19 basic education program in the state prison, a person:
20 (a) must be 18 years of age or older;
21 (b) must be of good moral character; and
22 (c) shall provide proof that the person has at least one of the following qualifications:
23 (i) completion of an associate degree in any field;
24 (ii) completion of a bachelor's degree in any field;
25 (iii) a teaching certificate issued by another state; or
26 (iv) prior teaching experience, including prior military training and experience pursuant to 37-1-145.
27 (3) The department of corrections may not require that an instructor hold a Montana teacher or
28 specialist certificate issued by the superintendent of public instruction. ****
69th Legislature 2025 HB 595.1
- 2 - Authorized Print Version – HB 595
1 (4) The department of corrections may adopt policies to determine which inmates are eligible to
2 participate in the Montana correctional education program.
3
4 NEW SECTION. Section 2. [Section 1] is intended to be codified as an
5 integral part of Title 53, chapter 30, part 1, and the provisions of Title 53, chapter 30, part 1, apply to [section 1].
6
7 NEW SECTION. Section 3. [This act] is effective July 1, 2025.
8 - END -