Idaho's 2026 Session: Every Education Bill That Passed

Idaho elects to participate in federal tax credit scholarship program

Formally enrolls Idaho in the federal tax credit scholarship program established under the federal "One Big Beautiful Bill" (P.L. 119-21, Section 70411). Allows Idaho families to access federal tax credits for private school tuition and approved educational expenses. Expands the state's existing school choice infrastructure.

House 68–0 · Senate 30–5

Homeschool diploma equivalency for licensing

Requires that a homeschool high school diploma be legally recognized as the equivalent of a standard high school diploma or GED for purposes of obtaining professional and occupational licenses in Idaho. Removes a longstanding barrier for homeschool graduates pursuing licensed trades and professions.

House 67–2 · Senate 31–1

Parental Choice Tax Credit technical corrections

Clarified eligibility window for the K-12 parental-choice tax credit (students aged 5–18 at any time during the tax year), defined what counts as enrollment and academic instruction, and clarified that curriculum may be obtained from multiple vendors.

House 44–24 · Senate 23–12

Digital Content and Curriculum Fund moves to needs-based

Previously, digital curriculum funding to local school districts was distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Replaces that with a needs-based allocation method so smaller districts and those serving lower-income communities aren't squeezed out by larger districts moving first.

House 68–0 · Senate 35–0

Student enrollment count rules clarified

Codifies that public school districts cannot count a child as enrolled if the child is not actually attending. Closes an administrative loophole around enrollment-based state funding formulas.

House 70–0 · Senate 34–0

Streamlined school building plan reviews

Eliminates the requirement that school districts obtain plan approval before advertising for construction bids, and reorders the permitting sequence. Speeds up the school facility construction timeline.

House 69–0 · Senate 34–0

Charter school lottery admission priorities

Updates how Idaho public charter schools weight admission applications when demand exceeds capacity. Children of founders and current siblings remain highest priority; the bill clarifies that foster children living in the home are considered part of the household for sibling priority.

House 62–4 · Senate 30–4

Required daily moment of silence in public schools

Requires every Idaho public school classroom to provide a moment of silence of at least 60 seconds at or near the beginning of each school day, during which students may "reflect, meditate, pray, or remain quiet." The most divided education vote of the session.

House 51–17 · Senate 18–15

Bullying-intervention disclosure to families

Requires schools to provide more information to families whose students are involved in serious bullying incidents — both victims and accused — and standardizes professional development requirements for school staff handling such incidents.

House 68–0 · Senate 35–0

Virtual public education alignment

Updates and aligns provisions governing virtual education programs operated by school districts and public charter schools. Establishes a consistent regulatory framework across both delivery models as online learning continues to expand.

House 68–0 · Senate 32–0

Epinephrine auto-injectors in schools

Updates Idaho law governing epinephrine auto-injector use in schools to ensure consistent terminology and improved emergency response authority. Lets school staff use stock epinephrine to treat anaphylaxis without identifying a specific named student in advance.

House 69–0 · Senate 31–0