Idaho Bills

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the Empowering Parents Grant Program.

The Education Choice & Competition Act is designed to improve education in Idaho by making changes that are fair, responsible, transparent, and accountable, while also keeping government costs in check. The law builds on the existing Empowering Parents program, which will now expand to provide grants for tuition, along with other eligible education expenses, for students in pre-kindergarten through high school. These grants are prioritized for families earning less than $80,000 per year.

Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding prohibited acts in higher education.

States findings of the Legislature and provides for support for the inclusion of PragerU Kids' supplemental education resources in Idaho public schools.

This resolution affirms the Idaho Legislature’s support for the inclusion of PragerU Kids' Supplemental Education Resources in Idaho’s public schools. PragerU, a nonprofit, provides free, supplemental educational materials designed to complement traditional curriculum with engaging content on civics, financial literacy, history, and entrepreneurship. These resources are optional for educators and families, fully accessible online for transparency, and approved by the Idaho State Department of Education. This resolution recognizes their value in fostering patriotism, personal responsibility, and a strong appreciation for America’s founding principles while commending the Department of Education for its commitment to educational excellence and expanding innovative learning opportunities.

Adds to existing law to establish provisions for the protection of certain speech on college campuses.

This bill protects our 1st amendment rights to free speech on our institutions of higher learning. This legislative language: 1) Defines key campus terms. 2) Defines protected, lawful activities including all forms of peaceful assembly, protests, speeches, guest speakers, distribution of literature, etc. 3) Defines outdoor areas that are publicly accessible but public institutions can maintain and enforce reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions. 4) Defines free expressive activity and states that no public institution of higher education shall abridge the constitutional freedom of any member of the campus community to speak on campus. 5) Defines those public institutions of higher education are required to make public for students the policies regarding free expression. 6) Defines for reporting to the Governor and the legislature to include any claims or complaints. Nothing shall be interpreted as requiring the institution to include any information from a student’s education record that would be prohibited in section 74-106(1), Idaho Code. 7) Defines for remedies with injunctive relief; compensatory damages; reasonable court costs; attorney fees.

Amends and adds to existing law to revise and establish provisions regarding the Idaho Literacy Achievement and Accountability Act.

Idaho has established clear goals that all students achieve reading proficiency by the end of 3rd grade. Yet, according to the Idaho State Board of Education, in the fall of 2024, 40.5% of K-3 students—about 35,000 children—fell short of this goal. This legislation directs state resources to close Idaho’s literacy gap through four key strategies. First, it aligns Idaho law with Science of Reading standards. Second, it allows school districts to select the most effective reading assessments for measuring student growth rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all test. Third, it funds a curated list of digital interventions, giving schools flexible tools to meet students’ unique learning needs. And finally, it establishes intensive turnaround interventions for Idaho’slowest-performingschools,pairingthemwithliteracyexpertstodevelopandimplementcomprehensive improvement plans in collaboration with administrators, teachers, and school districts.

Adds to existing law to provide for the Adult Alternative Instructional Diploma Program and the Adult Alternative Instructional Diploma Program Grant Fund.

This legislation establishes a pilot program for the creation of an accredited high school diploma for those aged twenty-one and older. This pay for performance program will be administered by the Idaho State Board of Education. The performance-based model allows providers to offer outcome-based instruction and curriculum including employability skills, career pathways, and certifications intended to prepare adult learners for employment. These tier 1 regionally accredited diplomas will be recognized by higher education institutions and the U.S. Military.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding library directors.

Current Idaho law forces cities that run their own libraries to hire and fire the city's Library Director through a Library Commission. This legislation provides such cities with the option of making this personnel decision directly, through the city council. No city with a municipal library is required to change to this model. Instead, this legislation leaves this as a matter of local control.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the requirement for safe public school facilities.

Amending Idaho Code 33-1613 to create requirements for safe public school facilities, provide fines for violation, ensuring protections for Idaho’s children and those who care for them every day. Idaho's children must learn in a safe, healthy school environment. Some of our public school facilities currently face serious safety and health concerns that put students and staff at risk. This legislation strengthens existing school safety requirements by mandating rigorous facility inspections, requiring prompt abatement of unsafe conditions related to lead and mold, and prompt mitigation of high levels of radon, and establishing clear accountability measures including mandatory reporting to parents. By implementing these enhanced safety protocols and protections, Idaho reaffirms its commitment to our communities and parents that Idaho’s public school children are learning in school facilities that meet basic safety and health standards.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the requirement for safe public school facilities.

Amending Idaho Code 33-1613 to create requirements for safe public school facilities, provide fines for violation, ensuring protections for Idaho’s children and those who care for them every day. Idaho's children must learn in a safe, healthy school environment. Some of our public school facilities currently face serious safety and health concerns that put students and staff at risk. This legislation strengthens existing school safety requirements by mandating rigorous facility inspections, requiring prompt abatement of unsafe conditions related to lead and mold, and prompt mitigation of high levels of radon, and establishing clear accountability measures including mandatory reporting to parents. By implementing these enhanced safety protocols and protections, Idaho reaffirms its commitment to our communities and parents that Idaho’s public school children are learning in school facilities that meet basic safety and health standards.

Amends existing law to revise a provision regarding certain distributions from the School Modernization Facilities Fund.

ThislegislationamendsIdahoCode§33-915todirecttheuseofstatebondproceedsforschooldistrictfacilities construction and repair. Any amount above $1 billion in bond proceeds will be distributed to school districts with the greatest needs with preference given to rural school districts.

Amends and adds to existing law to establish the Idaho Education Opportunity Program.

This legislation creates the Idaho Education Opportunity Program (IEOP) to provide families with school age students, Kindergarten to 12th Grade, a choice to utilize up to 80% of the average per student state funding. EligibleSpecialEducationStudentswouldqualifyfor100%. ThefundingforanIEOPaccountcouldbeusedfor eligible expenses, including Tuition at an accredited private school. or a Personalized Student Education Plan thatwouldincludeexpendituresforTextbooks,reasonabletransportation,educationequipmentandtechnology, educational therapies, fees for testing, admissions, fees to manage the IEOP account, tuition for individual classes, uniforms, tutoring, and technology devices. Eligible Students from families with less than $75,000 of Adjusted Gross Income, entering the program as a kindergarten student, or applying after having attended an Idaho Public School for 90 days in the prior school year, will have priority of appropriated funds. Students in families with an AGI’s greater than $75,000, can be eligible at reduced participation rates. The public school district or charter school of record shall receive the balance of the average distribution (20%) of the average distribution calculation. The Parents agree that IEOP funds shall only be used according to the approved uses andagreethatanyQualifiedSchoolshallprovidetheparentswiththeresultsofanationallynormedassessment. Use of funds for a Personalized Student Education Plan will include a nationally normed assessment. To renew theaccounttheparentshalldemonstratethattheirstudentisatgradelevelorhasshownonefullyearofacademic growth. The bill also establishes a deduction of paid tuition and fees from a families taxable income, excluding any tuition and fees paid with IEOP funds. The effective date of this bill is January 1, 2026, and the first applications will be received by June 15, 2026, for the 2027 school year. The IEOP would likely provide 3,100 students to have the funds to choose an alternative to the Public Scho

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding instruction in sex education and to provide for restrictions on instruction in human sexuality.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding requirements for operating a public charter school.

This legislation would provide admission preference to families with at least one (1) parent or legal guardian on active duty or active guard and reserve duty, as defined in 10 U.S.C. 101. The intent is to support military families by giving their children priority access to charter schools, recognizing the unique challenges these families face while their loved ones serve and move due to Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders.

Adds to existing law to establish the Mobile Device Policy Fund.

Adds to existing law to provide for a wireless electronic communication devices policy.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding school transfer enrollment options.

Adds to existing law to provide for the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools.