HOUSE BILL NO. 401

INTRODUCED BY B. LAWSON

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT ENCOURAGING SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO DEVELOP INTERGENERATIONAL SCHOOL VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS."

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

NEW SECTION. Section 1. Legislative intent. It is the intent of the legislature to:

(1) unite community members and school children in order to enrich the lives of both;

(2) promote activities between community members and school-age youth in both school and nonschool settings; and

(3) provide support to parents and teachers in fulfilling their responsibilities for the nurturing and education of children.

NEW SECTION. Section 2. Intergenerational school volunteer program. (1) The trustees of a school district are encouraged to develop and implement an intergenerational school volunteer program for members of the community and for school children from kindergarten through grade 12. The purpose of a program is to enhance the academic, problem-solving, interpersonal, and citizenship skills of school children by using volunteers from the community who possess those skills and abilities that would benefit school children.

(2) The program should include activities for volunteers aimed at enriching the lives of school children and school activities aimed at enriching the lives of volunteers.

(3) The trustees are encouraged to work with community organizations in developing the program and recruiting and training the volunteers.

NEW SECTION. Section 3. Codification instruction. [Sections 1 and 2] are intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 20, chapter 7, and the provisions of Title 20, chapter 7, apply to [sections 1 and 2].

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