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Bill

H 44

An act relating to miscellaneous amendments to the laws governing impaired driving

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tom Burditt and 1 co-sponsor

Requires schools to regularly inform and train staff on harassment and bullying, implement graduated consequences, and report incidents to families and the state.

House message: Governor approved bill on June 2, 2025
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Bill Summary · H 44

Summary: Idaho House Bill 44 (H 44) – Education: Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Information and Professional Development

Purpose and intent

H 44 seeks to strengthen and standardize how schools address harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB). The bill would require more proactive information dissemination, ongoing staff development, and clearer reporting and consequences for HIB incidents, with formal reporting to families and the state.

Key provisions

  • Information dissemination (annual): School districts and charter schools must ensure annual dissemination of information on HIB to all school personnel, parents, and students. The materials must affirm that school personnel are authorized and expected to intervene on behalf of students facing HIB.

  • Professional development: Districts must provide ongoing professional development to all school staff to prevent, identify, and respond to HIB. The State Board of Education would promulgate rules detailing the required content of this development.

  • District policies (graduated consequences): Policies must include a series of graduated consequences for acts of bullying, intimidation, harassment, violence, or threats of violence. Consequences can include counseling, diversion programs, involvement with juvenile specialty courts, restorative practices, on-site suspension, and expulsion. Rules will specify guidelines for these policies.

  • Reporting and privacy-compliant procedures: For incidents resulting in student suspension under Idaho Code 33-205, districts must report the incident to the parents/guardians of both the victim and the offender. Law enforcement may be notified if criminal law may be violated. The reporting must comply with privacy laws.

  • Annual reporting to the state: Districts must report bullying incidents to the Idaho State Department of Education in a board-prescribed format. Policies must designate reporting contacts and a process for teachers, students, parents, guardians, or others to report information on bullying.

  • Emergency clause and effective date: The bill declares an emergency and sets an effective date of July 1, 2025, meaning provisions would take effect upon enactment if the bill becomes law.

Affected parties

  • School districts and charter schools (primary implementers)
  • School personnel (instructional and non-instructional staff)
  • Students and their families/guardians
  • Law enforcement (for potential criminal conduct)
  • Idaho State Department of Education (statewide reporting and rulemaking)
  • State Board of Education (rulemaking for professional development content)

Implementation timeline and status

  • Introduced: January 23, 2025
  • House: Passed Readings through late January 2025; emergency clause included
  • Senate: Returned from Senate Failed; filed in Chief Clerk (March 4, 2025)
  • Effective date if enacted: July 1, 2025 (emergency provision)

Fiscal impact

  • The fiscal note states no net revenue impact and no additional expenditures at state or local levels; effectively, no anticipated fiscal impact were the bill to become law.

Additional notes

  • The bill focuses on HIB information dissemination, staff development, policy structure with graduated consequences, and required reporting to families and the state, all while maintaining privacy protections. If enacted, schools would need to align policies and reporting practices with state-board rules and reporting formats.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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