Idaho Education Updates

Changes as of July 1st to Idaho law.

1) "Public schools can no longer use taxpayer resources to accommodate teachers’ unions — including by giving teachers paid time off for union “activities” or by using payroll systems to deduct union dues.

The list of union “activities” in House Bill 516 is long. Among other things, it includes:

Supporting or opposing candidates for office

Influencing legislation

Promoting union membership

Participating in the “administration business or internal governance” of a teachers’ union

Preparing, conducting or attending a union event

Distributing union communications

Speaking on the union’s behalf

Engaging in union negotiations

Filing a grievance on behalf of the union

A school district can’t give teachers paid time off to participate in these activities, unless the union reimburses the district.

The bill also prohibited districts from:

Deducting union dues through payroll systems.

Increasing teacher pay to cover union dues.

Requiring that teachers meet with the union.

Sharing employees’ contact information with the union.

Communicating on the union’s behalf."

2)"School districts are no longer allowed to conduct an internal investigation of abuse in lieu of reporting an incident to law enforcement. Sen. Tammy Nichols, R-Middleton, proposed the law in response to sexual abuse complaints against Gavin Snow, a former special education assistant in the Boise School District."

3)"House Bill 822 requires that public school officials notify parents within 72 hours if their child requests help with “social transitioning.” This includes when a student asks to go by a different pronoun or use a bathroom or participate on a sports team that doesn’t align with their birth sex.

Sponsored by Rep. Bruce Skaug, R-Nampa, the law gives parents the right to sue a school or healthcare provider for relief and monetary damages if they aren’t notified within the 72-hour window. The attorney general can also seek a civil penalty up to $100,000."

Click here to read more details - https://www.idahoednews.org/top-news/new-idaho-education-laws-what-students-parents-and-educators-should-know/