EDUCATION – Proposes an amendment to the state constitution to remove language allowing for the Legislature to require school attendance and to add language regarding the right of the people to educate their children without government regulation outside of public schools.

68th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025)

HJR 1 sought to empower parents by removing mandatory school attendance laws, allowing them to educate their children without government oversight, but it failed to pass.

Read Third Time in Full – FAILED - 46-23-1AYES – Alfieri, Andrus, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Boyle, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cannon, Cayler, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dygert, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Furniss, Harris, Hawkins, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Horman, Hostetler, Leavitt, Marmon, Mendive, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Price, Rasor, Redman, Scott, Shepherd, Shirts, Skaug, Tanner(13), Tanner(14), Thompson, Vander Woude, Wisniewski, Mr. SpeakerNAYS – Achilles, Berch, Cheatum, Church, Clow, Egbert, Fuhriman, Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Handy, Manwaring, Mathias, McCann, Mickelsen, Nelsen, Pohanka, Raybould, Raymond, Rubel, Sauter, Weber, WheelerAbsent – GreenFloor Sponsor - HawkinsFiled in Office of the Chief Clerk

#children #education #parents #resolutions #joint #schoolsandschooldistricts #teachingandteachers

Purpose and Intent

HJR 1 proposes an amendment to the Idaho State Constitution aimed at redefining the state's approach to education. The primary intent of the bill is to remove existing language that allows the Legislature to mandate school attendance and to establish a constitutional right for parents to educate their children without government regulation outside of public schools.

Key Provisions

The proposed amendment seeks to:
1. Remove Compulsory Attendance Language: Eliminate the provision that allows the Legislature to require children to attend public schools from ages six to eighteen, unless they are educated by other means.
2. Establish Parental Rights: Introduce language that explicitly states the right of parents to educate their children without undue government regulation outside of public schools.

Proposed Text Changes

Current Language: The Legislature may require by law that every child shall attend the public schools of the state.

Proposed Language: The right of the people to educate their children without government regulation outside of the public schools of the state shall not be infringed.

Impact

Who Would Be Affected?

Parents and Guardians: The amendment would empower parents to choose educational methods for their children without government interference, potentially increasing options for homeschooling and alternative education.

Legislature and Educational Institutions: The bill would limit the Legislature's ability to enforce compulsory public school attendance, which may lead to changes in how education is regulated in Idaho.

Fiscal Considerations

The estimated cost for publishing the proposed constitutional amendment and related arguments is up to $300,000. This cost would be incurred as part of the requirements for the November 2026 general election ballot.

Bill

EDUCATION – Proposes an amendment to the state constitution to remove language allowing for the Legislature to require school attendance and to add language regarding the right of the people to educate their children without government regulation outside of public schools.

Summary of HJR 1 - Education Amendment Proposal

Bill Overview

Purpose and Intent

Key Provisions

Proposed Text Changes

Impact

Who Would Be Affected?

Fiscal Considerations

Legislative Process and Timeline

Conclusion

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