Idaho § 33-512E - Inappropriate online behavior - disciplinary measures

§ 33-512E. Inappropriate online behavior - disciplinary measures

(1) Any student who engages in inappropriate online behavior as defined in this section toward a public school employee or other person as defined in this section shall be reported to the school district board of trustees or the public charter school governing board for investigation and, if applicable, for imposition of disciplinary measures.

(2) For purposes of this section:

(a) "Inappropriate online behavior" means any communication through the internet, a mobile electronic device as defined in section 49-1401A , Idaho Code, or any other online means, including social media platforms, that harasses, threatens, or bullies any public school employee or other person, whether it occurs during or outside of school hours or on or off school property. The term includes but is not limited to any online communication that:

(i) Contains obscene or discriminatory content directed at public school employees or other persons; or

(ii) Harms the reputation, dignity, or safety of public school employees or other persons.

(b) "Person" means any student enrolled in any school district or public charter school, any parent or legal guardian of a student enrolled in any school district or public charter school, or any volunteer at any school district or public charter school.

(c) "Public school employee" means a person directly employed by a school district or public charter school, including administrators, instructional staff, and pupil service staff.

(3) Upon receipt of a report regarding inappropriate online behavior toward a public school employee or other person, the school district board of trustees or the board’s designee or the public charter school governing board or the board’s designee shall investigate the matter to determine the veracity of the claims contained in the report. The investigation may include conducting interviews and gathering any relevant evidence. The school district board of trustees or the public charter school governing board shall notify the parents or legal guardians of the student about such report and, if appropriate, notify law enforcement.

(4) If the school district board of trustees or the public charter school governing board determines that the student engaged in inappropriate online behavior as described in this section, the student and the parents or legal guardians of such student shall meet with the school district board of trustees or the public charter school governing board regarding disciplinary measures. The school district board of trustees or the public charter school governing board shall impose appropriate and proportional disciplinary measures, including but not limited to warning or reprimand, required participation in an online behavior awareness program, temporary suspension, or expulsion.

(5) Nothing in this section prohibits or prevents an adversely affected public school employee or other person from pursuing any other available legal remedies.

[33-512E, added 2026, ch. 174, sec. 1, p. 813.]