20-7-320. State-level strengthening career and technical student organizations. (1) There is a state-level strengthening career and technical student organizations program.

(2) The purposes of the program are to:

(a) strengthen Montana's career and technical student organizations by increasing graduation rates, enhancing student leadership opportunities, developing workforce skills, and facilitating transitions to postsecondary education and employment for all participating students;

(b) ensure alignment of activities of local career and technical student organizations with nationally affiliated programs and activities;

(c) provide a base of funding for the statewide coordination of career and technical student organizations; and

(d) distribute performance grants to career and technical student organizations.

(3) To be eligible for funding under this section, each state-approved career and technical student organization must be affiliated with a respective national career and technical student organization and be appropriately incorporated as a Montana nonprofit organization in compliance with state law and regulations regarding operations and financial reporting. The career and technical student organizations eligible for funding under this section are:

(a) Montana HOSA: future health professionals;

(b) Montana BPA (business professionals of America);

(c) Montana DECA (distributive education clubs of America);

(d) Montana FFA (future farmers of America);

(e) Montana TSA (technology student association);

(f) skillsUSA Montana; and

(g) Montana FCCLA (family, career and community leaders of America).

(4) The superintendent of public instruction shall distribute funds appropriated for base funding of career and technical student organizations by September 1 each year. Each organization must receive an equal base amount of funding utilizing the full amount appropriated for base funding to support operations, management, and expenses. If an organization declines this funding for any reason, the remainder must be split equally between remaining career technical student organizations.

(5) (a) The superintendent of public instruction shall distribute performance grants to career and technical student organizations by September 1 each year as described in this subsection (5). To be eligible for a performance grant, an organization must attest to and provide documentation of a minimum of $20,000 in matching funds, which must consist of a minimum of $15,000 in cash donations or other verifiable market value and may include $5,000 in in-kind contributions. An organization may not receive more than 20% of the amount appropriated for performance grants in any fiscal year.

(b) Career and technical student organizations shall submit proposals for performance grants by June 15 each year. The proposals must contain the following:

(i) a written plan detailing goals, objectives, and outcomes that the organization plans to accomplish in the next fiscal year and the performance metrics to be used to evaluate effectiveness. The plan must include goals related to:

(A) student leadership skills;

(B) membership retention and growth;

(C) workforce experience; and

(D) community and business engagement.

(ii) a description of specific efforts the organization will undertake in the next fiscal year to:

(A) increase participation in rural areas, public and nonpublic schools, and home schools;

(B) make online chapters and remote opportunities available;

(C) increase student attainment of workforce certifications, credentials, trainings, dual enrollment credits, internships, preapprenticeships, and career explorations and job shadow experiences; and

(D) collaborate and form partnerships with business and industry;

(iii) a projected budget for the upcoming grant cycle; and

(iv) a performance report for the current fiscal year that includes but is not limited to the following:

(A) an organizational overview, including but not limited to:

(I) the state director;

(II) the state board members;

(III) chapters and locations; and

(IV) membership totals;

(B) accomplishments related to the items set forth in the prior year's proposal, including relevant data;

(C) an accounting of expenditures of grant funds; and

(D) evidence of a minimum of $20,000 in matching funds, which must consist of a minimum of $15,000 in cash donations or other verifiable market value and may include $5,000 in in-kind contributions.

(c) The superintendent of public instruction shall award performance grants based on evaluations of the proposals and shall score proposals using equally weighted metrics in each category in subsections (5)(b)(i) through (5)(b)(iv).

(d) Career and technical student organizations may request assistance from the office of public instruction in formulating proposals for performance grants.

(e) For fiscal year 2024, the money appropriated for performance grants to career and technical student organizations must be distributed equally to the career and technical student organizations.

(6) The superintendent of public instruction shall report, in accordance with 5-11-210, to the education interim committee on the funding distributed under the state-level strengthening career and technical student organizations program established in this section and the outcomes reported by organizations pursuant to subsection (5).

(7) As used in this section, "career and technical student organization" or "organization" means an organization for students enrolled in a state-approved career and technical education program that engages in career and technical education activities as an integral part of the instructional program.