Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House passes change to parental-rights law that critics say could limit instruction on gender identity
Summary
House Bill 5 16 passed after extended debate; critics warned the change could leave only a statutory prohibition that would "prohibit classroom instruction on gender identity," potentially affecting instruction connected to ongoing litigation such as Little v. Hecox.
The Idaho House passed House Bill 5 16 after extended debate over changes to the parental-rights and education code. Opponents warned the bill’s revisions could remove allowances for certain classroom instruction and have unintended consequences for instruction tied to legal decisions.
A member opposing the bill urged caution, saying the bill would remove enumerated rights and could leave only a provision that "a public school shall prohibit classroom instruction on gender identity." The member said that recent statutory language was added less than a year earlier and that the pending U.S. Supreme Court-related case Little v. Hecox could be affected by the statutory change.
After discussion the clerk announced the roll: 59 ayes, 10 nays, 1 absent and excused. The bill passed the House and was transmitted to the Senate.
