Idaho lawmakers have passed HB 822, a sweeping bill requiring teachers, healthcare providers, and other professionals to notify parents within 72 hours if a minor expresses a transgender identity or requests changes such as a new name, pronouns, or access to gender-aligned spaces. The legislation, cosponsored by state Senator Ben Toews, classifies non-disclosure as “aiding and abetting” a child’s social transition.
According to Idaho Capital Sun, violations could expose individuals and institutions to lawsuits and fines of up to $100,000. Toews said the measure, called the Pediatric Secretive Transitions Parental Rights Act, would close a “loophole” in existing laws by targeting social transitions, which he described as “the process by which vulnerable children are led into the pipeline.” The bill is part of a broader wave of legislation affecting LGBTQ+ people in Idaho, including new restrictions on bathroom access and public Pride displays.
If signed into law, opponents warn it could significantly alter how schools and healthcare providers support LGBTQ+ youth. Separately, Idaho Governor Brad Little has signed a law criminalizing transgender individuals for using bathrooms aligned with their gender identity. These bills raise concerns about life in Idaho for trans people.
