Adds to existing law to require Idaho public schools to establish policies providing for a daily moment of silence.

LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO Sixty-eighth Legislature Second Regular Session - 2026 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HOUSE BILL NO. 623 BY EDUCATION COMMITTEE AN ACT1 RELATING TO EDUCATION; AMENDING CHAPTER 16, TITLE 33, IDAHO CODE, BY THE2 ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 33-1639, IDAHO CODE, TO REQUIRE IDAHO PUBLIC3 SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE FOR A DAILY MOMENT OF SILENCE; AND DECLARING AN EMER-4 GENCY AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.5

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:6

SECTION 1. That Chapter 16, Title 33, Idaho Code, be, and the same is7 hereby amended by the addition thereto of a NEW SECTION, to be known and des-8 ignated as Section 33-1639, Idaho Code, and to read as follows:9 33-1639. MOMENT OF SILENCE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. (1) At or near the begin-10 ning of each school day, in all grades and in all Idaho public schools, teach-11 ers or school employees in charge of classrooms shall provide for a brief pe-12 riod of silence for a minimum of sixty (60) seconds with the participation of13 every pupil in the classroom. During such period, a student may, without in-14 terfering with or distracting another student, reflect, meditate, pray, or15 engage in another silent activity. During the period of silence, no other16 activities shall take place.17 (2) Teachers or school employees shall require all pupils to remain18 silent and to make no distracting display so that each pupil may, in the ex-19 ercise of the pupil's individual choice, reflect, meditate, pray, or engage20 in any other silent activity that does not interfere with, distract from, or21 impede other pupils' exercise of individual choice.22 (3) Public school personnel are prohibited from providing instruction23 to any student regarding the nature of any reflection that a student may en-24 gage in during the period of silence, other than as provided in this section.25 A public school shall provide notification to parents and legal guardians26 including information on the period of silence provided in this section and27 shall encourage parents and legal guardians to provide guidance to pupils28 regarding such period.29

SECTION 2. An emergency existing therefor, which emergency is hereby30 declared to exist, this act shall be in full force and effect on and after31 July 1, 2026.32