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69th Legislature 2025 SB 451.1
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – SB 451
1 SENATE BILL NO. 451
2 INTRODUCED BY D. EMRICH, J. TREBAS
3
4 A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT REVISING FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY LAWS; REQUIRING THAT
5 SERVICES PROVIDED BY A FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY MUST RELATE TO THE PURPOSE AND CORE
6 FUNCTIONS OF A PUBLIC LIBRARY; PROVIDING CORE FUNCTIONS OF A PUBLIC LIBRARY;
7 PROHIBITING A FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY FROM OFFERING SERVICES UNRELATED TO THE PURPOSE
8 OR CORE FUNCTIONS OF A PUBLIC LIBRARY; AND AMENDING SECTION 22-1-302, MCA.”
9
10 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
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12Section 1. Section 22-1-302, MCA, is amended to read:
13 "22-1-302. Purpose -- core functions. (1) It is the purpose of this part to encourage the
14 establishment, adequate financing, and effective administration of free public libraries in this state to give the
15 people of Montana the fullest opportunity to enrich and inform themselves through reading.
16 (2) A free public library established pursuant to the provisions of this part must provide services
17 that are related to the purpose and the core functions of a public library. The core functions include:
18 (a) access to information, including printed and digital materials onsite and available through
19 lending agreements with other libraries;
20 (b) educational support, resources, and programs for students, including access to research
21 materials and databases, tutoring, and homework help;
22 (c) access to technology, including computers, the internet, online learning platforms, and other
23 tools;
24 (d) promoting literacy and reading, including by providing programing tailored for different age
25 groups;
26 (e) access to meeting spaces for outside organizations and members of the public;
27 (f) access to reading areas;
28 (g) facilitation of the transmission and sharing of information, including by offering services for
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69th Legislature 2025 SB 451.1
- 2 - Authorized Print Version – SB 451
1 copying information or materials; and
2 (h) any other core function consistent with the purpose of free public libraries as provided by this
3 section.
4 (3) A free public library may not offer services that are unrelated to the purpose or core functions of
5 a public library as provided by this section."
6 - END -