Idaho committee advances bill allowing school boards to consider student criminal records and prior withdrawals

The Idaho House Education Committee voted to send House Bill 236 to the House floor with a "do pass" recommendation after a hearing that included testimony from educators, school‑board representatives and parents.

Representative Sean Dygert, District 23, said HB 236 consolidates existing code language about reasons a school board may deny attendance and adds clarity without creating a new fiscal impact. "This would allow them to make us part of the record and say they were withdrawn in lieu of discipline," Dygert said, describing provisions intended to prevent students who were withdrawn to avoid expulsion from simply enrolling elsewhere without notice.

Supporters told the committee the measure preserves due process and does not alter federal special‑education requirements. Quinn Perry, deputy director of the Idaho School…