[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6127180,"mediaKeyId","2664697-dde070d9cb3c165f997674216c329861","parentId",2664697,"title","Committee advances measure to replace naturalization-based civics test with state-developed assessment for graduation","audioSeconds",1940,"startMs",3512000,"endMs",5452000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2664697-dde070d9cb3c165f997674216c329861&start=3512&end=5452","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2664697-dde070d9cb3c165f997674216c329861/thumbnail_3512000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6127180/Idaho/Committee-advances-measure-to-replace-naturalization-based-civics-test-with-state-developed-assessment-for-graduation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127180-8d5b9551f2f12e8aaa86e1fc0d852906/orig.mp4?Expires=1772819403&Signature=iwnHbEfMldiEP4MPHAXDhwI-AJVUWoETvEOtTmOIWOS6wua4OE~VBUWRIXjlNj5Miy0VQMlnGYHHtCrl9gxuFYmbYIFdIbng3YscqlJBU-7H9WfbmRgbILpLPD~jGjzF7zwso88LA1Uf415Mr6dd0arJD7pvyQ1gQxKdzEad1KXJIrRpmsG8-YKZ8mZGnKCNVglbacs9SFxciEqUcdf5r3IypsB42Jr8XPTGS7FFEnvkDBLPPcL81TZR09EjOA880TV2c1rXv1NB3jei3CTHwLVgZeCn5I8w2P5SJevGGAEgc9qWYB8p121EpH3w6cvAuG3g8vK~h5O3yKm2bZkdrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Idaho House of Representatives","date","2025-03-13T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Greg Wisniewski presented House Bill 397 on March 13. The bill would update Idaho's civics graduation requirement by replacing the current naturalization-style test with a civics assessment developed by the Idaho State Department of Education and approved by the State Board of Education.

Wisniewski said the measure implements recommendations from a prior Senate concurrent resolution to emphasize Western civilization and the historical foundations of American government. Greg Wilson, chief of staff at the Department of Education, told the committee the civics test will align with existing U.S. history and government standards and that the department will work with subject-matter experts in developing the assessment.

Teachers and public witnesses raised implementation concerns. Corinne Rue, an American government teacher at Borah High School, told the committee she is “opposed to the change the way that this bill is written” because districts teach components in different years and seniors may not have completed some content before graduation. Rue also noted the draft uses the phrase “successful completion” and said that may be interpreted too loosely; the committee discussed whether the statute should require a defined standard of passage.

Representative Mathias offered a substitute motion to send the bill to general orders and change the statute’s phrase from “successful completion” to “passage.” The substitute motion failed on a committee vote, and the committee proceeded with the original motion. The committee then voted to send House Bill 397 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation.

Department officials told the committee the department and board would set any proficiency or cut scores, and the department intends to convene educators and experts for development and implementation. Committee members discussed accommodations for special-education students, re-assessment opportunities, and the alignment of the new test with existing standards. Greg Wilson confirmed reassessment options would be available as under the current requirement.

The committee approved sending HB 397 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation; committee members said the department will continue work on test development and implementation guidance.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Education Meeting March 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 397 would require a State Department–developed civics assessment aligned to Idaho standards and make it a graduation requirement; the committee advanced the bill to the floor after debate over timing, accommodations and whether the statute should require 'passage' rather than mere 'completion.'","taxTitle","Education, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Idaho","taxId",54711,"location","Idaho","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6127187,"Committee hears PTA-backed bill to notify parents about risks of school-issued technology; motion to advance fails",2163,1273000,3436000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2664697-dde070d9cb3c165f997674216c329861&start=1273&end=3436","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2664697-dde070d9cb3c165f997674216c329861/thumbnail_1273000.jpg","/articles/6127187/Idaho/Committee-hears-PTA-backed-bill-to-notify-parents-about-risks-of-school-issued-technology-motion-to-advance-fails","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127187-c05bd764d568b02c9a6d5c7679d88cbb/orig.mp4?Expires=1772819403&Signature=kQCJvY1rV4xph~RjlJEyS1MzIr3OWnENdUgRBcvUNqD5v1N8VL3V2SYcdqED1t7feQL0zWO~gomq1-98U1zpLQOrK0AwKdO8e25TU8bBPDemvzYSNpsHT--o39b6Bxpwm-6rabcfeVfwLebv53aI68JMuYvSHVE2JQ~EYu~v~YIvK8ybO53uqOzhs64DSlQMmLhPzITcAH5IWBoZ2kYGyb2ruMkmYZjBn1gSekqLZEjLa6jRUJpos2KBTonB1kwg6nY8grbPcwvWOOq1lPeBuckHfengO9G1wC7Qz9cneETKzskGW-C39GwnBTNj5-OVMlQnPbeDFnrbafxs8J0onA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Gerald Raymond and Matthew Todd presented Senate Bill 1070 on March 13. The bill would require the Idaho State Department of Education to make available a digital platform parents can access to learn about risks associated with school-issued technology and steps to mitigate those risks.

Todd, who said he created the platform fortifyyourkids.com and provided it free to Idaho school districts, told the committee the material is not limited to pornography concerns but addresses “actual crimes against children that have already occurred in Idaho.” He said the platform would “meaningfully warn” parents and provide best practices developed with Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) commanders. Alexis Morgan of Idaho PTA testified in favor, saying parents reported a “resounding” gap in information about the limits of school-held filters.

Opponents and questioning committee members raised concerns about parental responsibility, cost and whether the signature parents are asked to provide functions as a waiver. Representative Harris argued parents should be held accountable for supervising their children and said the bill risks shifting responsibilities to schools. Representative Hawkins asked whether signature language could limit recourse; Todd said the form is an acknowledgement that information was supplied, not a waiver of rights.

Committee members also discussed technical details of the platform. Todd said the site is a website (fortifyyourkids.com), he funded initial production and will provide logins to districts so district users can access the content free of charge. He said the platform is available without required registration and that some public districts already use it (he cited Nampa and others).

Superintendent Critchfield told the committee that districts do put filters and safeguards in place for school networks but the school’s supervision ends when a device leaves school; she described the proposal as an awareness effort that districts could integrate into registration or informational materials.

Representative Nelson moved to approve and send SB 1070 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. That motion was put to a roll call. The chair announced later that by a vote of 6 to 7 with one absent and excused the motion failed and the bill was returned to the sponsor/house education committee.

Committee debate highlighted two central tensions: (1) the state and districts’ role in notifying parents about risks connected to state-funded technology and (2) concerns from some members that the measure would shift responsibility away from parents or impose new administrative work on districts. The sponsor and supporters said the measure simply provides information to parents and can be implemented through existing registration or digital channels.

","Senate Bill 1070 would require the State Department of Education to provide an online, digital platform to notify parents about risks tied to school-issued devices; testimony included the platform creator and PTA representatives, and the committee voted down a motion to advance the bill.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6127190,"Committee introduces school safety RS to require testing and notification for harmful substances in older facilities",418,717000,1135000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2664697-dde070d9cb3c165f997674216c329861&start=717&end=1135","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2664697-dde070d9cb3c165f997674216c329861/thumbnail_717000.jpg","/articles/6127190/Idaho/Committee-introduces-school-safety-RS-to-require-testing-and-notification-for-harmful-substances-in-older-facilities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127190-573f8738faa38af94066fea8db660392/orig.mp4?Expires=1772819403&Signature=FvEGWVMtNEOqQ71oeyL0Z3hSS1OIxaUWKbpo25YL~kw9xMWZTCyuCogiyV9dPXFuP1FCMbD3lyaHG2~rLTAC35BFgUQmHZxjd25BsWjGTPbH0B~Y5pesUzAT9kb3L3fMOrPmqfyztwiII1eeQ7gRb3jpc6BqEWyp43Blcdydbv6PXkyydlRZlyLAmfVb~IgsF0mqlvdsO9qtv8wNdBUKgSXQSwP4AFeEgic9PBVVf4YUImE7IwzLx20nv5SLbQBKUi4B53JTIVN0hH60s92J2kGEr-o6jGpk2v6AQRl7EynncB6-zCKtMyF2V0-0srNsD-JoE898~J9oR2D7LUSBzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Monica Church presented RS 32,656 on March 13 as a school-safety measure that would amend Idaho Code to require testing for known harmful substances in public school facilities and mandate parental notification when threats to a child's health are found.

Church said the RS would amend Idaho Code 30-3-1613 to include testing for radon, lead in water and mold, and would allow parents to seek recourse if districts failed to report unhealthy conditions. She described “a huge uptick in issues in our older facilities” and cited lawsuits resulting from high levels of lead and radon.

Representative Harris asked whether the bill would allow boards of trustees to impose levies without an election; Church answered that some code language was old and had been nullified by courts. Representative Clow asked whether the RS created a private cause of action; Church clarified the bill does not create a private right of action and that enforcement would be administrative—fines by the Division of Occupational Safety are referenced in the draft.

Committee members asked about the cost of testing and mitigation. Church said districts already sample and abate when issues are identified and that mitigation costs for radon can be “under $2,000 for a small area, upwards of like $5,000 for like a gymnasium.” Some members expressed concern about how tests would be initiated; Church said the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare offers free radon tests that private individuals have used to identify problems.

Representative Thais moved to introduce RS 32,656; the committee approved the introduction by voice vote. The RS will be printed and proceed for further debate and possible amendment.

","Representative Monica Church introduced RS 32,656 to require testing for radon, lead and mold in public school facilities and require notification to parents; the committee voted to introduce the RS.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6127195,"Committee introduces bill allowing optional unpaid chaplains in schools after amending deadline language",562,84000,646000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2664697-dde070d9cb3c165f997674216c329861&start=84&end=646","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2664697-dde070d9cb3c165f997674216c329861/thumbnail_84000.jpg","/articles/6127195/Idaho/Committee-introduces-bill-allowing-optional-unpaid-chaplains-in-schools-after-amending-deadline-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127195-4d97d5cc265d4fab98a9bfe4e8d83358/orig.mp4?Expires=1772819403&Signature=SkPcssmDwk~6zSG4-r9v5NRDUUBYT07frObhTNWOyk7T6gafDA8z~V3LcA49YMPCpWXL2sfkb8JXn7cBnK4lkjeO1pQAdxbhGQ0yqezrGwqLlBChaZxK5jxwnMWoMEQGu~Y-q0utZP7WazGQLKAwzu~FTTkS7NjIIrNPUcp51xWdXSQ3XYFDa9Ov1UVJiYS6M0mJ~qS-u7nUNUhcf8VJwBwQhvzaEZoLXghdyTyYMHExSM6ob5g6~FRfkJMc7DkF~puURAUR46ZkvtbriVlA82AXLhlWHW34MZ-oKVmPxHPMWwgkRDUjSmH64Vu7fkGiivN5~WveQdW5Q9Vi-3uD9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Dale Hawkins introduced RS 32,325 on March 13, saying the proposal would allow school districts that choose to do so to have volunteer chaplains available to teachers and students.

The bill would add school chaplains to existing statute language and include criminal background checks for volunteers. Hawkins told the committee the program would be voluntary and “doesn't cost the State any money.”

The issue that drew most of the committee's discussion was a three-line provision (page 2, lines 22–24) that would have required districts to file a decision about adopting the program by a specified date. Representative Mathias asked, “What is the purpose of forcing districts to make a decision by a certain date?” Hawkins replied that he did not see the language as forcing districts, calling it “a filing date so that there's public notice given.”

Several members expressed concern that the deadline language converted a voluntary program into a de facto requirement. Representative Church said the lines “kind of negates the opportunity to make that decision,” and Representative Thais warned that changes could introduce alternate terminology such as “faith leader.” Representative Harris moved to introduce the RS without lines 22–24; after discussion the committee voted to introduce RS 32,325 with those lines deleted.

The committee did not record a roll-call tally for the voice vote; the chair announced the motion carried. The RS will be printed and proceed to the next steps in the legislative process with the stated exceptions.

The bill text as discussed would (1) amend statutory provisions to add school chaplains as a category, (2) require criminal-background checks for chaplains who would have access to school facilities, and (3) specify the scope of chaplain activities in a new subsection. Sponsors said districts and school boards would retain discretion to define chaplains’ duties and locations.

Committee members asked whether school districts already use chaplains; Hawkins said he was unaware of districts that currently have them. Supporters in committee characterized school chaplains as unpaid volunteers similar to fire and police chaplains. Opponents cautioned about separation of church and state: Representative Nelson said she opposed the policy because “it sounds great but 1 of the basic parts to me of our nation is a separation of church and state.”

The RS will move forward for printing and further consideration with lines 22–24 removed; additional amendments are possible in later hearings.

","The House Committee on Education voted to introduce RS 32,325, a bill that would let school districts adopt volunteer chaplain programs with criminal background checks; the committee removed a provision that would have required districts to file a decision by a specific date.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances measure to replace naturalization-based civics test with state-developed assessment for graduation

Committee hears PTA-backed bill to notify parents about risks of school-issued technology; motion to advance fails

Committee introduces school safety RS to require testing and notification for harmful substances in older facilities

Committee introduces bill allowing optional unpaid chaplains in schools after amending deadline language