The Interim

State-Tribal Relations Committee

STRC to Review Legislative Proposals on English Learners, Language Programs, Reentry Resources, and Missing Persons

Committee: State-Tribal Relations Committee
Author: Hope Stockwell
Posted on June 22, 2018

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The State-Tribal Relations Committee meets by phone on Friday, July 6, to discuss whether to move several legislative proposals forward. The meeting is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. and end at noon. Members of the public may attend in person in Room 102 of the Capitol in Helena.
The committee doesn't expect to take final action on the proposals until its September 7 meeting in Helena, but will consider making language changes and which proposals to put out for a formal public comment period.
The legislative proposals include:
Related to the study of improving Indian student achievement:

  • LCELGF - creating an English Learner payment to be included in school district general fund budgets and BASE aid payments
  • LCELMS - providing funding for school district programs serving English Learners
  • LCMILP - extending the termination date for the Montana Indian Language Preservation Program
  • LCMIL2 - repealing the termination of the Montana Indian Language Preservation Program
  • LCCICA - extending the termination date for the Cultural Integrity and Commitment Act
  • LCCIC2 - repealing the termination of the Cultural Integrity and Commitment Act

Related to the SJ 3 study of increasing access to reentry resources for American Indian offenders:

  • LCsj31 - creating the reentry cultural programming grant program
  • LCsj32 - requiring a certain percentage of supportive housing grant program funding to be awarded to eligible uses that serve American Indian offenders

Related to missing persons in Indian Country:

  • LCdoj1 - authorizing DOJ to assist with all missing persons cases (Hanna's Act)
  • LCdoj2 - revising laws related to missing persons reports
  • LCdoj3 - proposed resolution to study options to break the runaway cycle
  • LCdoj4 - requiring missing persons report if child's location is unknown in custodial interference case
  • LCFOT2 - requiring the Office of Public Instruction to establish an electronic repository for school photos of children whose parents give permission for the photo to be held and shared with law enforcement if the child goes missing

The committee will also consider sending a draft letter to the Bureau of Indian Affairs regarding enforcement issues related to drug abuse, missing persons, human trafficking, and violence against women in Indian Country
Senate members of the STRC are Jen Gross (D-Billings), Steve Hinebauch (R-Wibaux), Jason Small (R-Busby), and Frank Smith (D-Poplar). House members of the STRC are Alan Doane (Vice Chair, R-Bloomfield), James O'Hara (R-Fort Benton), Rae Peppers (D-Lame Deer), and Sharon Stewart-Peregoy (Chair, D-Crow Agency).

For more information, visit the committee’s website or contact Hope Stockwell, committee staff.

Committee Website: http://leg.mt.gov/tribal
Committee Staff: hstockwell@mt.gov or 406-444-9280

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