Today marks day 25 of the 2025 Montana Legislative session, with 65 more days to go.
And right now, it is all-hands-on-deck in opposition to Senate Bill 114, a proposal that would require the display of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom across Montana.
This legislation blatantly violates state and federal constitutional provisions for the separation of church and state. Specifically, the proposed law would mandate that a particular religious doctrine be pushed upon public school children nearly every hour of the school day, throughout their entire public school education.
This religious indoctrination is unconstitutional and fundamentally at odds with the founding principles of our country. This bill is being considered by the Senate – and if this law is passed, it will be challenged in the courts and likely struck down, wasting taxpayer dollars as the state is forced to mount a futile defense.
We urge you to send a message to your state representative and ask them to vote No on SB 114.
But SB 114 isn't the only bill that would erode our constitutional rights.
Senate Bill 101 degrades human dignity by labeling unhoused Montanans "squatters" and criminalizing merely being present on certain types of property. The bill offers no tangible solutions to Montana's housing crisis. Unhoused Montanans deserve dignity, not criminalization.
Instead of helping vulnerable community members, this bill creates vague laws that promote over-policing and waste taxpayer money. Rather than criminalizing poverty, our state needs to develop policies focused on providing actual affordable housing for families and individuals living below the poverty line; access to mental health care, addiction, and other necessary services. This bill passed in the Senate on January 24 and has begun the hearing process on February 6 in the House Business and Labor Committee.
We invite you to learn more about SB 101 and other bills we are tracking by visiting our website for details on our Legislative Advocacy page. Additionally, there are resources on how to engage in the legislative process and add your voice in support of civil liberties at our state legislature.
