Idaho House passes bill to force schools and doctors to out transgender minors to their parents

The bill would require schools, health care providers and child care providers to notify parents within three days if a minor student requests to socially transition.

Published on Mar. 12, 2026

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The Idaho House has widely passed a bill that would require school officials and health professionals to notify parents within three days if a minor student requests to socially transition, including using a different name, pronouns, or facilities that don't align with their sex assigned at birth. The bill would allow parents to sue entities that violate the law, and the attorney general could seek up to $100,000 in civil fines.

Why it matters

This bill is part of a broader effort in Idaho to restrict access to gender-affirming care for transgender minors. Critics argue the bill is unconstitutional, could drive away teachers and health care workers, and is harmful to transgender youth.

The details

House Bill 822 would require schools, health care providers and child care providers to notify parents within three days after receiving 'any request by the minor student to participate in or facilitate the social transition of the minor student.' This includes using a different name, pronouns, or facilities that don't align with their sex assigned at birth. Entities would be banned from assisting a minor's social transition efforts without written consent from their parent. The bill allows parents to sue entities that violate the law, and the attorney general could seek up to $100,000 in civil fines.

  • The Idaho House passed the bill on a 59-9 near party-line vote on March 11, 2026.
  • The bill now heads to the Idaho Senate.

The players

Rep. Bruce Skaug

A Nampa Republican lawmaker who sponsored the bill and has led efforts to criminalize gender-affirming care for minors in Idaho.

Rep. Annie Henderson Haws

A Boise Democrat who argued the bill's $100,000 fine is 'grossly disproportionate' to other offenses in Idaho law.

Rep. Ilana Rubel

The House Minority Leader, a Boise Democrat, who tried to formally file a report detailing issues with the bill but was blocked by Republicans.

Rep. Jason Monks

The House Majority Leader, a Meridian Republican, who successfully moved to suspend the rules to stop the minority report from being entered into the House journal.

Rep. Chris Mathias

A Boise Democrat who serves on the House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee and said more people opposed to the bill were signed up to testify than those in favor.

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What they’re saying

“This loophole needs to be closed about parental knowledge.”

— Rep. Bruce Skaug (dailyfly.com)

“I ask you what we are doing in this House, where we are knowingly passing potentially unconstitutional statute — based on this fine alone. And our taxpayers are going to have to pay that legal bill.”

— Rep. Annie Henderson Haws, Attorney (dailyfly.com)

“I do feel that it was, frankly, an abuse of supermajority power to suspend the rules that we have all put into effect for the sole purpose of preventing the minority viewpoint from being heard and reported.”

— Rep. Ilana Rubel, House Minority Leader (dailyfly.com)

What’s next

The bill now heads to the Idaho Senate. To become law, Idaho bills must pass the House and Senate, and avoid the governor's veto.

The takeaway

This bill is part of a broader effort in Idaho to restrict access to gender-affirming care for transgender minors, raising concerns about its constitutionality, potential impact on the state's workforce, and harm to transgender youth. The suppression of the Democratic minority report also highlights the tensions between the Republican supermajority and the opposition party in the state legislature.