This year’s legislative session will be remembered for three things: anti-transgender policies, anti-immigrant policies, and serious budget shortfalls that resulted in $352 million in cuts for 2026.
Though these outcomes were fairly predictable, there was one major surprise. Republican lawmakers introduced a bill to strike down part of the state’s abortion travel ban. The proposal was a direct response to our lawsuit, which has partially paused the law from being implemented. Though the bill didn’t pass, it still marks a major shift. State leaders have finally begun to admit that the abortion travel ban is unconstitutional.
In the end, we lobbied or provided legislative analysis on more than 120 bills this session, a level of advocacy that was only possible with the support of our community. Thanks to you, we have good news to share alongside the bad.
Here are the key takeaways:
Good News
Legal Voice helped defeat these five bills.
Ban on Anti-Discrimination Protections for 2SLGBTQ+ Idahoans (HB 557)
This bill would have blocked cities and counties from having their own anti-discrimination laws. It targeted the two counties and 12 cities that have passed anti-discrimination protections for 2SLGBTQ+ people.
Ban on Gender & Sexuality Education (HB 516)
This bill would have banned all instruction on gender and sexuality from kindergarten through 12th grade. Current law allows instruction that is age appropriate.
Anti-Trans Bathroom Bounty Bill (HB 607)
This bill would have required government buildings and places of public accommodation to take “reasonable steps” to prevent transgender people from using restrooms and changing facilities that align with their gender identity. Those who encounter transgender people in restrooms would have been able to sue the government entity or business for $10,000.
Penalties for Hiring Undocumented Workers (HB 584)
This bill would have blocked all Idaho employers from hiring undocumented workers. Employers would have had to use the federal E-Verify system to check employees’ immigration status, and those who didn’t comply could have lost their business. Such a policy would have divided families and crippled Idaho’s economy.
Deterring Undocumented People from Accessing Medical Care (HB 592)
This bill would have required patients to disclose their immigration status when visiting hospitals that accept Medicaid. Virtually every hospital in the U.S. accepts Medicaid. If enacted, this bill would discourage people from getting care when they need it most, ultimately resulting in worse health outcomes and higher expenses for hospitals and the state.
Bad News
Despite tireless efforts, these harmful bills passed.
Ban on Pride Flags (HB 561)
This is the state’s second ban on 2SLGBTQIA+ pride flags. In 2024, state lawmakers passed a bill that bans government buildings from flying unofficial flags. But the city of Boise easily got around the law by making the pride flag an official flag. This new bill closes the loophole used by Boise, extends the ban to cover all government land and roads, and imposes a fine of $2,000 per flag per day.
This law took effect on March 31. Though Boise had to take down its flags, it now displays the colors of the Progress Pride Flag in a variety of other ways.
Forced “Outing” of Trans Youth (HB 822)
This bill will require health care professionals, child care providers, and educators to “out” transgender youth to their parents. Not only will it force these entities to report youth for expressing interest in transitioning, but it would also force them to report youth for any behavior that falls outside rigid gender roles. Those who fail to report could be sued by an aggrieved parent or investigated by the attorney general and fined up to $100,000.
This law takes effect July 1.
Criminalizing Bathroom Use for Trans People (HB 752)
One of the harshest bathroom bans in the country, this bill imposes criminal penalties on transgender people who use restrooms or changing facilities that align with their gender identity. First-time convictions result in a misdemeanor and up to one year in jail. Subsequent convictions result in a felony and up to five years of prison time. And in Idaho, you can be sentenced to life in prison after three felony convictions.
This law takes effect July 1.
Legal Voice ensured that these discriminatory bills didn’t pass without a fight. We testified in opposition alongside dozens of community members, including professionals in medicine, social work, mental health, public education, and law enforcement. While proponents of these bills espoused misinformation about transgender and intersex people, we sought to hold lawmakers accountable to their constituents.
Want to debrief?
Join us at our Spring Open House
We’re holding a Spring Open House on April 18 to mark the conclusion of this intense session. It will be an opportunity to come together with other Legal Voice supporters, neighbors, policy advocates, civic leaders, and elected officials who share our commitment to gender justice. We’re especially excited to welcome Tiffani Lennon, our new executive director, who will be visiting as part of her tour of the state.
Light appetizers and refreshments will be provided, including wine, beer, and non-alcoholic options. Feel free to drop in anytime between 1:00 and 6:00 p.m.
We hope to see you there!
