February 2025

Montana Legislative Session: January 2025 Update 

Advocating for Women & Families

Dear WFM Friends and Supporters, 

The Women’s Foundation of Montana (WFM) works to make sure that women and families have what they need to build a strong future - one without unfair obstacles. In the 2025 legislative session, we’re working alongside our grantees to push for policies that help strengthen families, communities, and Montana’s economy. Many of our priorities are outlined below. Stay tuned for monthly updates from us on these priorities and connect with us on social media to get more frequent updates and action alerts. 

Policy decisions in our state need more input from women and their advocates. Join our grantees in advocating for policy change that benefits Montana families!

Sincerely, 

SUPPORT FOR CAREGIVERS

Paid Family and Medical Leave At some point, nearly everyone faces a moment when they need leave, whether it’s to bond with a new baby, care for an aging parent, or recover from an illness. The Montana Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act would create a statewide program that pools small contributions from employees and employers to fund paid leave. Paid leave policies can help address ongoing gender inequality in career advancement and financial security in Montana. Once the bill has been drafted, we’ll share the bill number. The bill is currently being drafted (LC 1835).

Child Care The high cost and limited availability of child care force many parents—especially women—to reduce work hours or leave the workforce. WFM supports the following legislation:

• Support: HB 360 Establish funding to raise childcare worker wages, improving recruitment and retention.

House Bill 360 will be heard this Thursday, February 6th at 3 PM in the House Human Services Committee (Room 152). Call your Representative and testify to let them know that you support HB 360.

The Capitol Switchboard can be reached at 406-444-4800 on weekdays from 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM. You can also submit a comment here.

• Support: Expand Best Beginnings scholarship eligibility to families earning up to 85% of the Montana median income. Bill is currently being drafted (LC 2106).
• Support: Extend eligibility for Best Beginnings scholarships to all childcare workers. Bill is currently being drafted (LC 1787).

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND HEALTHCARE ACCESS

Continuation of Montana’s Medicaid Program Access to healthcare is critical to financial stability. WFM supports maintaining Montana’s Medicaid program and expanding maternal health services. Continuation of Medicaid ensures more women can access preventive care, reducing out-of-pocket costs and medical debt.

• Support: HB 245 Reauthorization of Medicaid Expansion and removal of the sunset clause.

Defend and Expand Access to Reproductive Health Care Access to the full spectrum of reproductive care, including abortion, is essential health care. WFM opposes efforts to limit access to care and to roll back women’s rights to privacy. Additionally, WFM supports certification or licensure for doulas, increasing access to care that improves birth outcomes and strengthens families.

COMMUNITY SAFETY AND ANTI-VIOLENCE

WFM is working alongside our grantees to advocate for support of Montana’s community-based victim service programs and to protect the privacy and safety of transgender Montanans.

• 

  Oppose: HB 121 effectively bans transgender people from using restrooms or public facilities that align with their gender identity.

• Oppose: SB 164 criminalizes parents, caregivers, and medical providers who support children in accessing gender-affirming health care.

For more information, contact WFM Director, Kylie Gursky at kylie@mtcf.org or (406) 443-8313

WFM Grantees Advocating for Policy

Our grantees are the best sources of information on what’s happening in the legislature and are experts and leaders in advocating for policy change. Please learn more about them and get involved! 

Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies – Improve the health, safety, and well-being of Montana families by supporting mothers and babies, age zero to three

Montana Budget & Policy Center – A nonprofit organization focused on providing credible and timely research and analysis on budget, tax, and economic issues that impact low- and moderate-income Montana families.

Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence – A statewide, membership-based, anti-violence, nonprofit organization operating in Helena, Montana.

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana – Works through electoral, legislative, and regulatory channels to advocate for universal access, without barriers, to cutting-edge sexual and reproductive health care for all Montanans.

Catalyst Montana (Formerly Montana Women Vote) – Uplifts low-income and marginalized Montanans through community organizing, policy advocacy, research, and leadership development. We work to build collective power and create meaningful change on issues that impact our communities.

WFM is a powerful force for philanthropy in Montana because of your support. WFM grantees lead the way in creating strong communities that work for women and girls.

Learn more about WFM grantees here and see our 2024 funding summary.
 

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