Idaho House Passes Bill Banning LGBTQ+ Instruction in Public Schools

The legislation would remove a provision allowing age-appropriate lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The Idaho House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed a bill that would ban public school classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity. The bill, introduced by Republican Rep. Dale Hawkins, would remove a provision from a law enacted last year that allowed for age-appropriate lessons on these topics. The legislation now heads to the state Senate.

Why it matters

This bill is part of a broader effort by some conservative lawmakers to limit discussions of LGBTQ+ issues in schools. Proponents argue it will remove 'confusion', while opponents say it will deny parents the right to opt their children into age-appropriate instruction and could impact lessons on relevant court cases.

The details

House Bill 516 would effectively ban all instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in Idaho public schools. Rep. Hawkins said the bill would remove a provision that was 'mistakenly left in' a law passed last year, which allowed for age-appropriate lessons on these topics. The House approved the proposal largely along party lines, with one Republican joining Democrats in opposition. Critics argued the bill would remove parents' ability to opt their children into such instruction, including for lessons related to a pending Supreme Court case on transgender athletes.

  • The Idaho House of Representatives passed House Bill 516 on February 18, 2026.
  • The bill now heads to the Idaho State Senate.

The players

Rep. Dale Hawkins

The Republican lawmaker who introduced House Bill 516 to ban LGBTQ+ instruction in Idaho public schools.

Rep. Jack Nelsen

The lone Republican in the Idaho House who joined Democrats in opposing House Bill 516.

Rep. Chris Mathias

A Boise Democrat who argued the bill would remove parents' right to opt their children into age-appropriate LGBTQ+ instruction.

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What they’re saying

“What we are here today to do is to remove this line that has brought confusion because it didn't belong in the bill in the first place.”

— Rep. Dale Hawkins (dailyfly.com)

“It's reasonable to conclude that this bill, if we pass it, is going to be an unforced error of epic proportions.”

— Rep. Chris Mathias, Boise Democrat (dailyfly.com)

What’s next

The bill now heads to the Idaho State Senate, where it will face further debate and a vote.

The takeaway

This legislation is part of a broader push by some conservative lawmakers to limit discussions of LGBTQ+ issues in schools, sparking concerns from opponents that it could infringe on parents' rights and impact educational content related to relevant court cases.