House committee advances bill letting school boards consider convictions, chronic truancy when denying enrollment

A House committee voted to send House Bill 236 to the House floor with a “do pass" recommendation after sponsors said the bill consolidates and clarifies existing code that lets school boards consider convictions, adjudications and habitual truancy when deciding student enrollment.

Representative Sean Dygert, sponsor and a former educator, told the committee the bill “does allow students that disenroll in lieu of discipline” to be recorded so receiving schools can consider that history when deciding whether to enroll the student. He said the measure does not change due-process protections and does not require disclosure of court records: “They shall disclose,” Dygert said, describing the bill’s language on reporting convictions and adjudications.

The bill drew vocal public opposition from family advocates and social-service providers who said it could have a disparate impact on students with disabilities, foster youth and students with unmet behavioral-health needs. Britney Shipley, a social worker and parent from Hailey, said she “strongly oppose[d] HB236,” arguing that…