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Senate rejects House bill to require parental notification in serious school bullying incidents
Summary
House Bill 44, which would require school districts to notify parents of both alleged victims and alleged perpetrators in serious bullying incidents and notify law enforcement if conduct may violate criminal law, failed in the Senate by a vote of 13–21 with one absence.
BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Senate on March 3 rejected House Bill 44, a measure that would require school districts to notify parents or legal guardians of both alleged victims and alleged perpetrators after a serious bullying incident and to notify law enforcement if the conduct may violate criminal law.
Sponsor Senator Ward Engelking argued the bill would give parents information they need in cases of serious bullying and said school resource officers should be notified when incidents could involve criminal conduct. Opponents raised concerns about the bill’s language requiring notification even when it is not clear whether conduct violated the law; Senator Zito said the provision could compel law enforcement notification before culpability was established. Zito announced she would vote no because of concerns with that section.
After floor debate, the Senate secretary announced the final vote as 13 in favor, 21 against and 1 absent; the bill therefore failed and will be returned to the House of Representatives.
Votes at a glance: House Bill 44 — Failed in Senate, 13 yes, 21 no, 1 absent.
Next steps: With the Senate vote failing, House Bill 44 will be returned to the House for reconsideration, amendment, or further action.
