A unanimous vote in the Idaho House on Thursday has sent a student safety bill to the governor’s desk, addressing sexual assault investigations in K-12.

SB 1412 introduces the Idaho Student Safety and Educator Disclosure Act, which replaces existing law that allows schools to conduct internal reviews on abuse allegations in lieu of going to law enforcement. With a 66-0 vote, the act will now head to Gov. Brad Little’s office to be signed.

Current law dictates that school administrators technically don’t have to report sexual assault allegations to the police, but this amendment would require it.

Bill sponsor Rep. Barbara Ehardt, R-Idaho Falls, said the bill will also ensure that schools have the information needed before making hiring decisions.

“When it comes to our education system, I think we just assume that … sexual predators within the school system, we just assume that there’s a process in place that they won’t be rehired in another district or somewhere else in the state,” she said. “That has not been the case.”

The bill would also set standards for Idaho schools keeping and obtaining personnel records when hiring educators. The goal is to keep better records so an employee can’t simply move school districts following a resignation during an investigation or disciplinary actions.

The act clarified reporting obligations and specifically requires disclosure of investigations and disciplinary actions in records for personnel that work directly with students.

“(We will be) going forward, with a consistent hiring process where information has to be disclosed, where everyone’s following the proper steps,” Ehardt said. “...This is how we help to get it disclosed.”

Ehardt also referred to instances of whistleblowers who did their duty as mandatory reporters suffering consequences from their administration.

Earlier Thursday at the House Education Committee, former teacher Laura Boulton spoke in support of the legislation.

“Im grateful our community has been aware of the safety issues our children are facing at school,” Boulton said as she choked back tears.

Boulton was a teacher at Timberline High School in 2023 when she was unceremoniously suspended. The suspension came shortly before the Idaho Press published a piece detailing the stories of 10 BSD students who allegedly experienced sexual assaults and confided in Boulton. The high school math teacher was named as a trustworthy confidant.

Following allegations by the BSD that Boulton spread misinformation, manipulated students and “preyed upon vulnerable youth for her own purposes,” she filed a tort claim against the district. By 2024, the BSD settled with Boulton, paying her $400,000.

Since leaving the BSD, Boulton has become an advocate for current and former students who have experienced sexual assault. She supports them through her organization, Phoenix Advocacy Agency, in deciding next steps for reporting or receiving support.

On Thursday, she spoke on her previous experience as a teacher, referring to reports she made to the school district that were not taken to the police. Boulton said that, while she was ultimately dismissed from her position, the alleged perpetrator continues to work for the district.

Moses Espinoza, a father of a child he alleges was impacted by Gavin Snow, also spoke to the committee. Snow was a special education assistant at Valley View Elementary who killed himself while being investigated for allegedly producing “child sexual abuse material” in January 2025.

“The Boise School District recognizes the severity and impact these incidents have on the families and our community,” the district said in a Nov. 18 statement. “We have taken meaningful steps to strengthen safety, accountability, and transparency.”

BSD has since settled with seven involved families for a total of $2 million.

According to Espinoza, he and his wife voiced concerns to the school but were brushed off.

“As a parent you know the immense amount of trust it requires to send your child to school,” Espinoza said.

The bill now awaits Little’s signature to be officially signed into Idaho law.