WORKING POLICY PROPOSALS — FOR PUBLIC REVIEW
This section separates citizen policy proposals from Truth in Focus reporting. These are not introduced Montana bills unless clearly identified otherwise. Each proposal will be updated as we compare it with current Montana law, prior legislation, fiscal information, agency practice and public feedback.
Current working proposals
Road to Change Act
Jurisdiction: Montana statewide; county detention implementation; Department of Corrections coordination.
A proposal to allow Department of Corrections-committed people waiting in county detention for placement to begin approved treatment, education, rehabilitation and reentry programming; preserve qualifying completed work after transfer; reimburse approved local costs; and publicly track cost and outcome information.
Status: Working draft published.
Correctional Communication Fairness Act
Jurisdiction: Montana statewide standards with county detention, correctional facilities and vendor implementation.
A proposal for minimum service-quality standards, failed-call documentation, transparent complaint handling, and meaningful refund or credit procedures when paid phone or video services fail.
Status: Working draft published.
Montana Local Teacher Pathway Act
Jurisdiction: Montana statewide; local school-district and tribal-school implementation.
A proposal to create a structured route for qualified local adults with substantial academic preparation to work toward full teacher licensure while employed, mentored and completing remaining professional preparation.
Status: Working draft published.
Working concepts still being developed
Public Defender Access & Continuity Proposal
Jurisdiction: Montana statewide; local court and regional public-defense implementation.
A proposal addressing delays, continuity of representation, client communication and other documented system gaps affecting access to appointed counsel.
Status: Working concept.
Rural & Tribal Water Reliability Proposal
Jurisdiction: Montana state and local systems, with separate tribal and federal coordination where applicable.
A proposal focused on testing, notice, records access, escalation procedures and accountability when rural communities experience recurring water-quality or reliability concerns.
Status: Working concept. No water-safety conclusion is made without supporting evidence.
How proposals will be documented
- Problem statement and plain-language synopsis
- Current Montana law and agency practice
- Comparable prior or pending legislation
- Draft statutory language
- Estimated costs, possible savings and implementation questions
- Supporting public records and source links
- Revision history and public-feedback notes
Truth in Focus will label every proposal by status so readers can distinguish an idea, working draft, publication-ready citizen proposal and an actually introduced bill.