Senate rejects bill requiring expanded parent notification for serious bullying incidents

Boise — The Idaho Senate on March 3 voted down House Bill 44, a measure that would have required school districts to notify parents or guardians of both alleged victims and alleged perpetrators following serious bullying incidents and to notify law enforcement if conduct might violate criminal law.

Sponsor Senator Ward Engelking said the bill expands parental notification for serious bullying, disciplinary actions and incidents that may involve law violations so families are kept informed and can respond. “If a child has been bullied at school … parents need to know,” Engelking said on the floor.

Opponents raised concerns about the bill’s language that calls for reporting to law enforcement “if the alleged conduct may violate any criminal law.” Senator Zito said that language could require law enforcement notification in cases where it is not clear a crime occurred and said she would vote no because she did not feel comfortable with that section. She noted her work on suicide and bullying prevention but said the wording was problematic.

Senator Engelking closed by pointing to the statute’s flexibility and the provision that the school resource officer (SRO) would be involved when criminal conduct is suspected. The Senate roll call recorded 13 in favor, 21 opposed and 1 absent; the bill failed and will be returned to the House of Representatives.

Senate action: HB 44 was read and debated on the floor and failed to pass; senators who opposed the bill cited concerns over premature law‑enforcement notification and parental privacy issues for alleged perpetrators.