Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding a parent tech awareness program.
Summary
Senate Bill 1070 would require the Idaho State Department of Education to create and make available an online parent tech awareness program for all Idaho public schools and private schools serving students in kindergarten through grade 12. School district boards and public charter school boards would be required to offer the program to parents and legal guardians without charge. The department could either develop the program itself or contract with a third party to do so.
The program is intended to educate parents and guardians about the risks associated with internet-capable devices, online threats, how children may engage in risky online activity, and best practices for protecting students from internet and social media exploitation. Schools would also have to provide information about the program at the start of each school year or when a student enrolls, and parents or guardians would be required to sign and return a department-developed acknowledgment form confirming receipt of that information. The bill includes an emergency clause and would take effect July 1, 2025.
Impact
This bill would add a new section to Chapter 48, Title 33 of the Idaho Code, creating a statewide parent technology awareness requirement tied to K-12 schools. It imposes new duties on the State Department of Education, school districts, and public charter schools to provide access to the program and distribute acknowledgment forms, while also affecting private schools by making the program available to them. The measure does not regulate student conduct directly, but it expands school administrative responsibilities and formalizes parent notification and participation around online safety education.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests the bill had majority support in the Idaho Senate, passing third reading by a vote of 24-11. That result indicates generally favorable sentiment toward the measure, likely reflecting concern about child online safety and parental awareness. No committee transcript is available, so there is no recorded discussion showing detailed support or opposition arguments.
Contention
The main points of potential contention are the mandate placed on schools and families, including the requirement that parents or guardians receive program information and sign an acknowledgment form. Supporters likely view the bill as a practical online safety and parental education measure, while opponents may object to the added administrative burden, the statewide requirement for schools to administer the program, or the form-signing requirement. Because no committee transcript is provided, specific objections from legislators or stakeholders are not documented in the available record.