BOISE (KMVT/KSVT) A number of new legislation established by state lawmakers during the most recent legislative session go into effect on July 1.
The Idaho Medical Freedom Act, also known as Senate Bill 1210, forbids governments, corporations, and educational institutions from mandating medical procedures, including certain vaccinations or other treatments, in exchange for employment or services.
RELATED | The Legislature seeks changes after Governor Little vetoes the Idaho medical freedom bill.
House Bill 380, which mandates the death penalty for specific child sex abuse offenses based on a number of criteria, was also enacted by lawmakers.
Aggravated lewd conduct by a minor who is 12 years of age or older is a new offense. During the 2025 Legislative Session, State Representative Bruce Skaug, the bill’s sponsor, stated that violators would face a minimum sentence of 30 years in prison or the death penalty if two of the aggravated circumstances were present.
RELATED | The death penalty measure for child sex abuse has been widely approved by the Idaho Legislature and sent to the governor.
House Bill 37 replaces lethal injection as the principal method of execution in Idaho with the firing squad.
RELATED | The Idaho House advances a bill that will make firing squads the primary method of execution.
Senate Bill 1198, also known as The Higher Education, DEI Bill, limits efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in public higher education.
State Senator Ben Toews, the bill’s sponsor, stated, “I look forward to seeing our institutions of higher education fully focused on the important and excellent work that they do to equip our students to think critically, seek truth, and receive the preparation necessary to succeed in their future careers.”
The Idaho School Choice Law, which offers tax credits to qualified pupils attending nonpublic schools, was also passed by lawmakers. The law went into effect at the start of the year.
House Majority Leader and bill sponsor Jason Monks stated that school choice just gives parents more choices so they may determine what suits them best.
RELATED | What was the number of petitioners requesting that Governor Little veto Idaho school choice? These are the most recent figures.
Significant tax cuts in our state, retroactive to January, were also approved by lawmakers, who lowered property taxes, income tax rates, and other levies.
Last but not least, a new regulation that goes into effect next week requires public school students to master cursive handwriting by the end of the fifth grade.
RELATED | A law in Idaho that would require cursive competence by the end of fifth grade is pending the governor’s signature.
