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Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by FindLaw Staff
(1) English is the official and primary language of:
(a) the state and local governments;
(b) government officers and employees acting in the course and scope of their employment; and
(c) government documents and records.
(2) A state statute, local government ordinance, or state or local government policy may not require a specific foreign language to be used by government officers and employees acting in the course and scope of their employment or for government documents and records or require a specific foreign language to be taught in a school as a student's primary language.
(3) This section is not intended to violate the federal or state constitutional right to freedom of speech of government officers and employees acting in the course and scope of their employment. This section does not prohibit a government officer or employee acting in the course and scope of employment from using a language other than English, including use in a government document or record, if the employee chooses, or prohibit the teaching of other languages in a school for general educational purposes or as secondary languages.
(4) This section is not intended to limit the use of any other language by a tribal government. A school district and a tribe, by mutual agreement, may provide for the instruction of students that recognizes the cultural identity of Native American children and promotes the use of a common language for communication.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Montana Title 1. General Laws and Definitions § 1-1-510. English as official and primary language of state and local governments - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/mt/title-1-general-laws-and-definitions/mt-code-ann-sect-1-1-510/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature or via Westlaw before relying on it for your legal needs.
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