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IdahoH 06352026 regular legislative sessionHouse

EDUCATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding investigations conducted by the Idaho Professional Standards Commission.

Sponsored By: EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Signed by Governor

EDUCATION

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.

Out-of-state teachers face license holds

Beginning July 1, 2026, Idaho denies new or renewal teaching certificates if you have unsatisfied conditions on a current or past certificate or a pending state investigation. You can avoid automatic denial by giving written permission for Idaho to review the other state’s investigative files. After review, the chief certification officer may grant or deny. If denied, you have 30 days to ask for full PSC procedures. If you do not authorize release, you can reapply only after the other state closes the case and clears your certificate.

Decisions, records, and appeals for teachers

Beginning July 1, 2026, within 21 days after a hearing ends, the panel must send a summary, its findings, and its decision to you, the chief certification officer, and your district’s leader. The panel may dismiss the case or issue a reprimand, conditions, suspension, or revocation. The final decision becomes part of your permanent record within 3 days. If conditions, suspension, or revocation are imposed, the PSC must notify your employer that your job may be affected. You can ask your local district court to review a final decision. The PSC may later reissue a certificate if the original grounds no longer exist, but it cannot certify anyone convicted of crimes listed in Idaho Code 33-1208(2).

Teacher hearings: 30-day deadline, panel rules

Beginning July 1, 2026, if you are served with a complaint, you have 30 days to request a hearing in writing. If you do not ask in 30 days, the complaint’s grounds are treated as admitted. If you request a hearing, it must be held within 90 days (with at least 5 days’ notice) and follow Idaho’s administrative procedure rules. A panel of at least three members hears the case; most must work in your same role, the chair is a trained former PSC member, and no one from the probable-cause step may serve.

How teacher complaints start in Idaho

Beginning July 1, 2026, the PSC can investigate any written, signed allegation from a person with a substantial interest (not a current Idaho public school student) or from a local school board. The chief certification officer, with the attorney general and PSC investigator, reviews each allegation and either sends it back to the district or opens a PSC case. If a case is forwarded, the officer must notify the complainant and the teacher in writing within 14 days, and the teacher can respond in person and in writing before a complaint is issued. The PSC executive committee must decide probable cause at one of its next two regular meetings. If a complaint is filed, a copy must be served within 30 days unless you and the officer agree to a different time.

Stronger investigation tools and police referral

Beginning July 1, 2026, the state superintendent can issue subpoenas to require witnesses to attend and produce papers. District courts can enforce subpoenas, use contempt powers, and allow fees and mileage as in civil cases. Any complaint that may show criminal behavior must be reported to law enforcement.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • EDUCATION COMMITTEE

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Cindy J. Carlson

    Republican • Senate

  • Heather Scott

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 100 • No: 4

Senate vote • 3/16/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 34 • No: 1

House vote • 2/17/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 66 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Reported Signed by Governor on March 19, 2026 Session Law Chapter 50 Effective: 07/01/2026

    3/20/2026

  2. Delivered to Governor at 1:31 p.m. on March 18, 2026

    3/18/2026

  3. Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to Governor

    3/18/2026Senate

  4. Signed by President; returned to House

    3/17/2026Senate

  5. Received from the House enrolled/signed by Speaker

    3/17/2026Senate

  6. Reported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to Senate

    3/17/2026House

  7. Returned from Senate Passed; to JRA for Enrolling

    3/16/2026House

  8. Read third time in full – PASSED - 34-1-0

    3/16/2026Senate

  9. Retained on calendar

    3/12/2026Senate

  10. Retained on calendar

    3/10/2026Senate

  11. Read second time; filed for Third Reading

    2/26/2026Senate

  12. Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading

    2/25/2026Senate

  13. Introduced, read first time; referred to: Education

    2/18/2026Senate

  14. Received from the House passed; filed for first reading

    2/18/2026Senate

  15. Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 66-3-1

    2/17/2026House

  16. Read second time; Filed for Third Reading

    2/16/2026House

  17. Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading

    2/13/2026House

  18. Reported Printed and Referred to Education

    2/12/2026House

  19. Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing

    2/11/2026House

Bill Text

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