This bill amends Section 33-1631 of the Idaho Code to enhance the requirements for addressing harassment, intimidation, and bullying in schools. It specifies that school districts and public charter schools must disseminate information on these issues annually to all school personnel, parents, and students, emphasizing the expectation for school personnel to intervene on behalf of affected students.

Additionally, the bill mandates ongoing professional development for school staff to equip them with the necessary skills to prevent and respond to such incidents. The state board of education is tasked with creating rules, subject to legislative approval, regarding the content of this professional development. 

The bill outlines that school district and public charter school policies must include a series of graduated consequences for students who engage in harassment, intimidation, or bullying, as well as a procedure for mandatory reporting of incidents that lead to student suspensions. This includes notifying the parents or legal guardians of both the victim and the offender involved in the incident. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2026. 

This bill is intended to provide information to parents or guardians whose children have been involved in a bullying incident in schools. It is proven that schools are safer when incidents of harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB) are firmly addressed. This is one reason Idaho has a formal process requiring school staff to report incidents of HIB to the state. This bill would ensure that families whose students are involved in a serious HIB incident are also notified so they can take necessary steps. 

In compliance with all federal and state laws protecting student privacy, there is a procedure for the reporting incidents of HIB that result in a student being suspended from school. The occurrence of such incidents shall be reported to the parents or legal guardians of both the alleged victim and the alleged perpetrator, as well as law enforcement if the alleged conduct may violate any criminal law. Schools, administrators, and policy makers will be able to understand further the context of the incidents, causes, and harm done.