Bill > HB591

This bill establishes the last full week of September as "Freedom Week" in Montana's public schools, with the goal of educating students about the founding principles and historical sacrifices that shaped the United States. The legislation requires school districts to provide at least 3 hours of instruction during this week focused on the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the Montana Constitution. Additionally, students in grades 3 through 12 will be required to recite a passage from the Declaration of Independence, though exceptions will be made for parental requests, conscientious objections, or children of foreign representatives. School district trustees must adopt policies to ensure effective commemorative exercises during Freedom Week, which aims to instill a sense of patriotism and civic responsibility by helping students understand key historical events, including the American Revolution, immigration, the abolitionist movement, and women's suffrage. The bill amends existing state law to add Freedom Week to the list of commemorative days in Montana's schools and will take effect on July 1, 2025.