As you know, the policy team at Idaho Family Policy Center has been working tirelessly to get biblical policy across the finish line in Idaho—especially with the Idaho legislative session scheduled to wrap up in the next couple of weeks.
Here are some of the bills our team has been active on:
1. House Bills 352 and 351: Parental Rights in Education
House Bill 352 would prevent public school personnel from providing instruction on sexual identities to children through the twelfth grade.
This would ensure that parents are responsible for educating and dialoguing with their children about sexuality and gender confusion, thereby reinforcing the vital role of parents in the moral and ethical development of their youth.
The bill – which was sponsored by Rep. Dale Hawkins (R-Fernwood) and Sen. Cindy Carlson (R-Riggins) – has passed both the House and Senate, and now awaits action from Gov. Little.
House Bill 351, also sponsored by Rep. Hawkins, would empower parents to monitor what public schools teach to their children.
Approximately 74% of likely Idaho voters believe schools should allow parents to review the materials and curriculum that is taught to their children, according to statewide public opinion polling commissioned by Idaho Family Policy Center.
Unfortunately, given that the bill has still not received a Senate committee hearing, it is unlikely to advance through the legislative process this year.
Here’s video of our policy analyst, Grace Howat, testifying before the House Education Committee in support:
2. House Bill 264: Women’s privacy and safety in prisons
House Bill 264, sponsored by Rep. Barbara Ehardt (R-Idaho Falls) and Sen. Cindy Carlson (R-Riggins), seeks to safeguard women’s privacy in restrooms and changing areas on college campuses, state correctional facilities, and domestic violence shelters.
Currently, Idaho law lacks clear protections in these settings, leaving many women vulnerable to unwanted intrusions by biological males.
This legislation is broadly popular. According to statewide public opinion polling commissioned by Idaho Family Policy Center, more than 74% of likely Idaho voters with an opinion on this issue agreed that biological males should not be allowed to access private spaces in female prisons.
House Bill 264 is now on the way to the governor’s desk after passing both the House and the Senate.
Here’s video of our community engagement director, Carl Warmouth, testifying before the Senate State Affairs Committee in support:
3. House Bill 270: Indecent exposure
House Bill 270 updates state law to prevent the lewd public exposure of female breasts (or male breasts that have been surgically or homorally altered to look like female breasts).
The bill is sponsored by Rep. Jeff Cornilles (R-Nampa), Sen. Ben Toews (R-Coeur d’Alene), and Sen. Brian Lenney (R-Nampa). It was drafted after at least one biological male in the audience at the Canyon County Pride Festival exposed his hormonally and/or surgically altered breasts in front of children.
Gov. Brad Little signed the bill into law last week.
Here’s video of our policy assistant, Edward Clark, testifying before the Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee in support of House Bill 270:
4. Senate Bill 1198: DEI on college campuses
Senate Bill 1198 would prohibit most forms of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in state-funded higher education. It is sponsored by Sen. Ben Toews (R-Coeur d’Alene) and Rep. Judy Boyle (R-Midvale).
The bill – which represents the most comprehensive proposed action to squash DEI in Idaho colleges and universities – will soon be voted on by the Idaho Senate.
More than 71% of likely Idaho voters agreed that DEI programs have no place in state government and public education, according to statewide public opinion polling commissioned by Idaho Family Policy Center.
Here’s video of our policy assistant, Edward Clark, testifying before the Senate State Affairs Committee in support of Senate Bill 1198:
The IFPC policy team cannot continue our critical work without your support. Would you prayerfully consider giving $65, $175, or $350 so that IFPC can keep promoting God-honoring public policy at the statehouse?
Together we will build an Idaho where God is honored, religious freedom flourishes, families thrive, and life is cherished!
