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@@-LEGISLATURE+ST+A+TEMENTOF-THE-STATE-OF-IDAHO-Sixty-eighth-Legislature-Second-Regular-Session---2026-IN-THE-HOUSE-OF-REPRESENTATIVES-HOUSE-BILL-NO.-588-BY-EDUCATION-COMMITTEE-AN-ACT-1-RELATING-TO-EDUCATION;-AMENDING-SECTION-33---1619,-IDAHO-CODE,-TO-REVISE-2-PROVISIONS-REGARDING-VIRTUAL-EDUCATION-PROGRAMS;-AMENDING-SECTION-3-33---5202A,-IDAHO-CODE,-TO-REVISE-DEFINITIONS;-AMENDING-SECTION-33---5206,-4-IDAHO-CODE,-TO-REVISE-PROVISIONS-REGARDING-REQUIREMENTS-FOR-OPERATING-5-A-PUBLIC-CHARTER-SCHOOL;-AND-DECLARING-AN-EMERGENCY-AND-PROVIDING-AN-6-EFFECTIVE-DATE.-7-Be-It-Enacted-by-the-Legislature-of-the-State-of-Idaho:-8-SECTION-1.-That-Section-33---1619,-Idaho-Code,-be,+PURPOSE+RS33030C2+/+H0588+This+legislation+updatesand-the-same-is-hereby-9-amended-to-read-as-follows:-10-33---1619.-VIRTUAL-EDUCATION-PROGRAMS.-(1)-School-districts-may-offer-1-1-instruction-via-the-internet-in-a-distributed-environment.-For-programs-12-meeting-such-definition,-the-school-district-may-count-and-report-the-aver---13-age-daily-attendance-of-the-program's-students-in-the-manner-prescribed-in-14-section-33---5207,-Idaho-Code.-School-districts-may-also-offer-instruction-15-that-is-a-blend-of-virtual-and-traditional-instruction.-For-such-blended-16-programs,-the-school-district-may-count-and-report-the-average-daily-atten---17-dance-of-the-program's-students-in-the-manner-prescribed-in-section-33---5207,-18-Idaho-Code.-Alternatively,-the-school-district-may-count-and-report-the-av---19-erage-daily-attendance-of-the-blended-program's-students-in-the-same-manner-20-as-provided-for-traditional-programs-of-instruction,-for-the-days-or-por---21-tions-of-days-in-which-such-students-attend-a-physical-public-school.-For-the-22-balance-of-days-or-portions-of-days,-average-daily-attendance-may-be-counted-23-in-the-manner-prescribed-in-section-33---5207,-Idaho-Code.-24-(2)-School-districts-offering+aligns+provisions+governingvirtualeducationprograms-pursuant-to-25-this-section-shall:-26-(a)-Make-available-to+operated+by+school+districts+and+public+charter+schools.+FISCAL+NOTE+This+legislation+does+not+require+any+additional+expenditure+of+funds+atthestate-board+or+local+levelof-education-the-information-re---27-quired-under-section-33---5205(3),-Idaho-Code;-28-(b)-Require-that-all-contracts+governmentand-any-subsequent-amendments-thereto-29-between+therefore+has+no+fiscal+impact.+Contact:+Representative+Douglas+T+.+Pickett+Representative+Clay+Handy+Representative+Soñia+R.+Galaviz+(208)+332-1000+DISCLAIMER:+This+statement+of+purpose+and+fiscal+note+ar+ea-school-district+mer+e+attachment+to+this+billand-an-educational-services-provider-as-de---30-fined-in-section-33---5202A,-Idaho-Code,-relating-to-the-provision-of-vir---31-tual-learning-to-students-be-approved+pr+epar+edby-the-school-district-board-of-32-trustees-prior-to-execution;-33-(c)-Maintain-records-that-verify-proof-of-Idaho-residency-for-all-stu---34-dents-enrolled-ina-virtual-education-program;-and-35-(d)-Ensure-that-all-curricular-materials,-as-defined-in-section-36-33---118A,-Idaho-Code,-including-alternative-or-supplemental-curriculum,-37-meet-content-standards-as-set-forth-in-rule-promulgated-by-the-state-38-board-of-education-and-establish-a-system-to-document-such-curriculum.-39-(3)-Any-educational-services-provider-contracting-with-and-receiving-40-public-funds-from-a-school-district-for-a-virtual-education-program-shall-41--2-provide-a-written-disclosure-of-services-and-costs-in-its-contract-that-1-shall:-2-(a)-Identify-the-specific-services-provided-to-the-school-district;-3-(b)-Identify-the-cost-of-each-service-or-category-of-service-and-the-4-method-used-to-calculate-such-cost;-and-5-(c)-Demonstrate-a-clear-relationship-between-the-public-funds-received-6-and-the-services-provided.-7-(4)-Any-virtual-education-program-and-educational-services-provider-8-with-which-a-school-district-contracts-shall-establish-policies-regarding-9-conflicts-of-interest-for-individuals-who-are-employed-by-both-the-school-10-district-and-the-educational-services-provider-with-which-the-district-1-1-contracts.-Such-policies-shall-include-mechanisms-for-accountability-and-12-oversight.-13-(5)-No-school-district,-virtual-education-program,-or-educational-ser---14-vices-provider-with-which-they-contract-shall-furnish-any-payment-of-state-15-funds-directly-to-parents-or-legal-guardians-of-enrolled-students.-Any-state-16-funds-determined-by-the-school-district-to-be-used-as-supplemental-learning-17-funds-shall-be-used-only-for-eligible-education-expenses-as-provided-in-sec---18-tion-33---5206(8)(m),-Idaho-Code.-"Supplemental-learning-funds"-has-the-same-19-meaning-as-in-section-33---5206(8)(m),-Idaho-Code.-Eligible-education-ex---20-penses-shall-be-available-for-all-courses,-including-elective-courses.-Such-21-funds-shall-be-expended-through-direct-order-by-the-school-district-only,-22-except-as-otherwise-provided-in-section-33---5206(8)(m),-Idaho-Code.-23-(6)-Every-person-who-is-employed-in-the-capacity-of-teacher-in-a-vir---24-tual-education-program-provided-for-in-this-section-shall-hold-a-certificate-25-as-required-under-section-33---1201,-Idaho-Code.-A-school-district-shall-re---26-tain-the-authority-to-hire,-oversee,-and-evaluate-all-teachers-delivering-27-instruction-in-a-virtual-education-program.-28-SECTION-2.-That-Section-33---5202A,-Idaho-Code,-be,-and-the-same-is-hereby-29-amended-to-read-as-follows:-30-33---5202A.-DEFINITIONS.-As-used-in-this-chapter,-unless-the-context-re---31-quires-otherwise:-32-(1)-"Application"-means-the-document-submitted-to-the-authorizer-to-re---33-quest-the-creation-of-a-public-charter-school.-34-(2)-"Authorizer"-means-any+pr+oponentofthe-following:-35-(a)-A-local-board+bill.+It+is+neither+intended+as+an+expr+essionof-trustees-of-a-school-district;-36-(b)-The-public-charter-school-commission;-37-(c)-An-Idaho-public-college,-university,-or-community-college;-or-38-(d)-A-private,-nonprofit,-Idaho---based,-nonsectarian-college-or-univer---39-sity-that-is-accredited-by-the-same-organization-that-accredits-Idaho-40-public-colleges-and-universities.-41-(3)-"Charter"-means-the-grant-of-authority-approved-by-the-authorizer-42-to-the-charter-holder.-43-(4)-"Charter-holder"-means-the-public-charter-school's-board-of-direc---44-tors-to-which-a-charter-is-granted.-45-(5)-"Educational-services-provider"-means-a-nonprofit-or+legislative+intent+nor+intendedfor---profit-46-entity-that-contracts-with-a-public-charter-school-or-a-school-district-for-a-47-fee-to-provide-educational-services-and-resources,-including-administrative-48-support-and-educational-design,-implementation,-or-management.-49--3-(6)-"Founder"-means-a-person-who-makes-a-material-contribution-toward-1-the-establishment-of-a-public-charter-school-and-who-is-designated-as-such-by-2-the-charter-holder.-3-(7)-"Performance-certificate"-means-a-fixed---term,-renewable-certifi---4-cate-between-a-public-charter-school-and-an-authorizer-that-outlines-the-ne---5-gotiated-roles,-powers,-responsibilities,-and-performance-expectations-for-6-each-party-to-the-certificate.-7-(8)-"Public-charter-school"-means-a-school-that-is-authorized-pursuant-8-to-this-chapter-to-deliver-public-education-in-Idaho.-9-(9)-"Public-charter-school-commission"-or-"commission"-means-the-pub---10-lic-charter-school-commission-established-pursuant-to-section-33---5213,-1-1-Idaho-Code.-12-(10)-"Traditional-public-school"-meansany-school-that-is-operated-and-13-controlled-by-a-school-district-in-this-state.-14-(11)-"Virtual-school"-means-a-public-charter-school-that-delivers-15-a-full---time,-sequential-program-of-synchronous-and/or-asynchronous-in---16-struction-primarily-through-theuse-of-technology-via-the-internet-in-a-17-distributed-environment.-Schools-classified-as-virtual-must-have-an-online-18-component-to-their-school-with-online-lessons-and-tools-for-student-and-data-19-management.-Students-enrolled-in-a-virtual-school-may-meet-at-the-same-loca---20-tion-and-time-while-receiving-virtual-instruction.-21-SECTION-3.-That-Section-33---5206,-Idaho-Code,-be,-and-the-same-is-hereby-22-amended-to-read-as-follows:-23-33---5206.-REQUIREMENTS-FOR-OPERATING-A-PUBLIC-CHARTER-SCHOOL.-(1)-A-24-public-charter-school-shall-be-nonsectarian-in-its-programs,-affiliations,-25-admission-policies,-employment-practices,-and-all-other-operations,-shall-26-not-charge-tuition,-levy-taxes,-or-issue-bonds,-and-shall-not-discriminate-27-against-any-student-on-any-basis-prohibited-by-the-federal-or-state-consti---28-tution-or-any-federal,-state,-or-local-law.-Public-charter-schools-shall-29-comply-with-the-federal-individuals-with-disabilities-education-act.-Ad---30-mission-to-a-public-charter-school-shall-not-be-determined-according-to-the-31-place-of-residence+outsideofthe-student-or+legislative+pr+ocess,+including+judicial+r+eview+(Joint+Rule+18).+Statementof-the-student's-parent-or-guardian-32-within-the-district.-33-(2)-No-board-of-trustees-of-a-public-school-district-may-require:-34-(a)-Any-employee-of-the-school-district-to-be-involuntarily-assigned-to-35-work-in-a-public-charter-school;-or-36-(b)-Any-student-enrolled-in-the-school-district-to-attend-a-public-char---37-ter-school.-38-(3)-Employment-of-charter-school-teachers-and-administrators-shall-be-39-on-written-contract.-40-(4)-Administrators-may-be-certified-pursuant-to-the-requirements-set-41-forth-in-chapter-12,-title-33,-Idaho-Code,-pertaining-to-traditional-public-42-schools-or-may-hold-a-charter-school-administrator-certificate,-which-re---43-quires-that-the-administrator:-44-(a)-Holds-a-bachelor's-degree-from-an-accredited-four-(4)-year-institu---45-tion;-46-(b)-Submits-to-a-criminal-history-check-as-described-in-section-33---130,-47-Idaho-Code;-48--4-(c)-Completes-a-course-consisting-of-a-minimum-of-three-(3)-semester-1-credits-in-the-statewide-framework-for-teacher-evaluations,-which-shall-2-include-a-laboratory-component;-3-(d)-Submits-a-letter-of-support-from-a-charter-holder;-and-4-(e)-Has-one-(1)-or-more-of-the-following:-5-(i)-Four-(4)-or-more-years-of-experience-administering-a-public-6-charter-school;-7-(ii)-A-postbaccalaureate-degree-and-a-minimum-of-five-(5)-years-8-of-experience-in-school-administration,-public-administration,-9-business-administration,-or-military-administration;-10-(iii)-Successful-completion-of-a-nationally-recognized-charter-1-1-school-leaders-fellowship;-or-12-(iv)-Four-(4)-or-more-years-of-teaching-experience-and-a-commit---13-ment-from-an-administrator-at-a-charter-school-in-academic,-op---14-erational,-and-financial-good-standing,-according-to-its-autho---15-rizer's-most-recent-review,-to-mentor-the-applicant-for-a-minimum-16-of-one-(1)-year.-17-(5)-A-charter-school-administrator-certificate-is-valid-for-five-(5)-18-years-and-renewable-thereafter.-Administrators-shall-be-subject-to-over---19-sight-by-the-professional-standards-commission.-Certificates-may-be-revoked-20-pursuant-to-the-provisions-of-section-33---1208,-Idaho-Code.-Issuance-of-a-21-certificate-to-any-applicant-may-be-refused-for-such-reason-as-would-have-22-constituted-grounds-for-revocation.-23-(6)-Certified-teachers-in-a-public-charter-school-shall-be-considered-24-public-school-teachers.-Educational-experience-shall-accrue-for-service-in-25-a-public-charter-school-and-be-counted-by-any-school-district-for-any-teacher-26-who-has-been-employed-in-a-public-charter-school.-The-staff-of-the-public-27-charter-school-shall-be-considered-a-separate-unit-for-the-purposes-of-col---28-lective-bargaining.-29-(7)-Charter-school-teachers-,-including-teachers-in-virtual-schools,-30-may-be-certified-pursuant-to-the-requirements-set-forth-in-chapter-12,-title-31-33,-Idaho-Code,-pertaining-to-traditional-public-school-districts-or-may-32-hold-a-charter-school---specific-teaching-certificate.-33-(a)-Criteria-for-a-charter-school---specific-teaching-certificate-shall-34-be-in-writing-and-require-that-teachers-satisfy-the-provisions-set-forth-35-in-section-33---1202-1.,-3.,-and-4.,-Idaho-Code,-and-meet-the-following-36-minimum-educational-or-professional-qualifications:-37-(i)-Hold-a-bachelor's-degree-from-an-accredited-institution;-or-38-(ii)-If-instructing-students-in-the-fields-of-career-technical-39-education,-satisfy-the-provisions-of-section-33---2205(6)(a),-Idaho-40-Code.-Career-technical-education-programs-taught-by-teachers-41-with-a-charter-school---specific-teaching-certificate-shall-receive-42-added---cost-funding-set-forth-in-section-33---2215,-Idaho-Code,-in-an-43-amount-equal-to-programs-taught-by-teachers-with-an-occupational-44-specialist-teaching-certificate.-45-(b)-Teachers-with-a-charter-school---specific-teaching-certificate-shall-46-receive-mentoring-and-professional-development-as-approved-by-the-char---47-ter-holder.-48-(c)-The-state-board-of-education-shall-issue-charter-school---specific-49-teaching-certificates-to-teachers-upon-recommendation-of-the-individ---50--5-ual-charter-school,-unless-denied-on-the-grounds-set-forth-in-section-1-33---1208,-Idaho-Code.-2-(d)-For-teachers-holding-a-charter-school---specific-teaching-certifi---3-cate,-a-charter-school-may-substitute-its-own-ongoing-education-and-pro---4-fessional-development-requirements-in-place-of-those-set-forth-in-rule-5-by-the-state-board-of-education-if-the-same-number-of-credit-hours-is-6-required-as-that-of-teachers-holding-a-standard-instructional-certifi---7-cate.-8-(8)-Public-charter-schools-may-contract-with-educational-services-9-providers-subject-to-the-following-provisions:-10-(a)-Educational-services-providers-shall-be-third---party-entities-sepa---1-1-rate-from-the-public-charter-schools-with-which-they-contract-and-shall-12-not-be-considered-governmental-entities,-provided-that-such-contracts-13-may-be-evaluated-by-the-authorizer;-14-(b)-No-more-than-one---third-(1/3)-of-the-public-charter-school's-board-15-membership-may-be-comprised-of-nonprofit-educational-services-provider-16-representatives.-Nonprofit-educational-services-provider-repre---17-sentatives-may-not-be-employees-of-the-public-charter-school-or-the-18-educational-services-provider-and-may-not-hold-office-as-president-or-19-treasurer-on-the-public-charter-school's-board.-For---profit-educational-20-services-providers-may-not-have-representatives-on-the-public-charter-21-school's-board-of-directors-.-The-board-of-directors-of-public-char---22-ter-schools,-including-virtual-schools,-and-the-educational-services-23-providers-with-which-a-school-contracts-shall-establish-policies-for-24-individuals-who-are-employed-by-both-the-public-charter-school-and-the-25-educational-services-provider-with-which-the-school-contracts.-Such-26-policies-shall-include-protocol-regarding-conflicts-of-interest,-mech---27-anisms-for-accountability-and-oversight,-and-guidelines-for-employees-;-28-(c)-Charter-holders-shall-annually-disclose-any-existing-and-potential-29-conflicts-of-interest,-pecuniary-or-otherwise,-with-affiliated-educa---30-tional-services-providers;-31-(d)-Charter-holders-shall-retain-accountability-for-academic,-fiscal,-32-and-organizational-operations-and-outcomes-of-the-school-and-may-not-re---33-linquish-this-responsibility-to-any-other-entity;-34-(e)-Contracts-must-ensure-that-school-boards-retain-the-right-to-termi---35-nate-the-contract-for-failure-to-meet-defined-performance-standards-af---36-ter-notice-and-a-reasonable-cure-period-has-expired-and-if-material-de---37-ficiencies-have-not-been-cured-prior-to-that-time-period-expiring;-38-(f)-Contracts-must-ensure-that-assets-purchased-by-educational-ser---39-vices-providers-on-behalf-of-the-school,-using-public-funds,-shall-40-remain-assets-of-the-school.-The-provisions-of-this-paragraph-shall-41-not-prevent-educational-services-providers-from-acquiring-assets-using-42-revenue-acquired-through-management-fees;-43-(g)-Charter-holders-shall-consult-legal-counsel-independent-of-the-44-party-with-whom-they-are-contracting-for-purposes-of-reviewing-the-45-school's-management-contract-and-facility-lease-or-purchase-agreements-46-to-ensure-compliance-with-applicable-state-and-federal-law,-including-47-requirements-that-state-entities-not-enter-into-contracts-that-obligate-48-them-beyond-the-terms-of-any-appropriation-of-funds-by-the-state-legis---49-lature;-50--6-(h)-Charter-holders-must-ensure-that-their-facility-contracts-are-sepa---1-rate-from-management-contracts;-and-2-(i)-A-virtual-school-shall-be-deemed-financially-sufficient-if-there-is-3-an-agreement-that-requires-an-educational-services-provider-to-assume-4-the-virtual-school's-financial-risk-when-it-does-not-have-sufficient-5-residual-funds-to-pay-the-educational-services-provider.-Where-this-6-paragraph-is-applicable,-the-educational-services-provider-shall-make-7-its-audited-financial-statements-available,-unless-the-educational-8-services-provider-already-makes-such-audited-financial-statements-pub---9-licly-available-for-compliance-with-other-federal-or-state-laws-.-;-10-(j)-All-contracts-and-any-subsequent-amendments-thereto-between-a-vir---1-1-tual-school-and-an-educational-services-provider-relating-to-the-provi---12-sion-of-virtual-learning-to-students-shall-be-approved-by-the-school's-13-board-of-directors-prior-to-execution.-Such-virtual-schools-shall-pro---14-vide-proof-of-Idaho-residency-for-all-enrolled-students-to-the-autho---15-rizer,-upon-request;-16-(k)-Curricular-materials,-as-defined-in-section-33---118A,-Idaho-Code,-17-including-any-alternative-or-supplemental-curriculum,-shall-meet-con---18-tent-standards-as-set-forth-in-rule-promulgated-by-the-state-board-of-ed---19-ucation,-and-a-system-shall-be-established-to-document-such-curriculum;-20-(l)-Any-educational-services-provider-contracting-with-and-receiving-21-public-funds-from-a-virtual-school-shall-provide-a-written-disclosure-of-22-services-and-costs-in-its-contract-that-shall:-23-(i)-Identify-the-specific-services-provided-to-the-virtual-24-school;-25-(ii)-Identify-the-cost-of-each-service-or-category-of-service-and-26-the-method-used-to-calculate-such-cost;-and-27-(iii)-Demonstrate-a-clear-relationship-between-the-public-funds-28-received-and-the-services-provided;-and-29-(m)(i)-No-public-charter-school,-virtual-school,-or-educational-30-services-provider-with-which-they-contract-shall-furnish-any-31-payment-of-state-funds-directly-to-parents-or-legal-guardians-32-of-enrolled-students.-Any-state-funds-determined-by-the-virtual-33-school-to-be-used-as-supplemental-learning-funds-shall-be-used-only-34-for-eligible-education-expenses-as-provided-in-this-paragraph.-35-"Supplemental-learning-funds"-means-state-funds-that-are-locally-36-determined-to-be-used-to-enhance-educational-services-or-resources-37-and-to-cover-educational-costs-for-students-learning-outside-tra---38-ditional-classrooms-and-learning-at-home.-Eligible-education-39-expenses-shall-be-available-for-all-courses,-including-elective-40-courses.-Such-funds-shall-be-expended-through-direct-order-by-the-41-virtual-school-only,-except-as-otherwise-provided-in-this-para---42-graph.-43-(ii)-Eligible-educational-expenses,-for-the-purposes-of-this-sec---44-tion,-includes:-45-1.-Computer-hardware,-internet-access,-or-other-technolog---46-ical-devices-or-services-that-are-primarily-used-to-meet-a-47-student's-educational-needs,-provided-that-expenses-for-in---48-ternet-access-shall-be-eligible-for-reimbursement;-49--7-2.-Textbooks,-curricula,-or-other-instructional-materials,-1-including-educational-software-and-applications;-2-3.-Fees-for-national-standardized-assessments,-advanced-3-placement-examinations,-examinations-related-to-college-or-4-university-admissions,-or-industry---recognized-certifica---5-tion-examinations;-6-4.-Therapies,-including-but-not-limited-to-occupational,-7-behavioral,-physical,-speech---language,-and-audiology-ther---8-apies,-or-other-services-or-therapies-specifically-approved-9-by-the-state-board-of-education;-and-10-5.-Other-educational-expenses-and-services-as-approved-by-1-1-the-state-board-of-education.-12-(iii)-The-state-board-of-education-shall-promulgate-rules,-subject-13-to-legislative-approval,-to-implement-the-provisions-of-this-para---14-graph.-Such-rules-shall-include-a-list-of-allowable-items-for-eli---15-gible-educational-expenses.-16-(9)-Except-as-otherwise-provided-in-this-chapter,-authorizers-shall-not-17-contract-with-any-public-charter-schools,-including-virtual-schools,-that-18-such-authorizers-approved.-19-(10)-A-virtual-school-shall-retain-the-authority-to-hire,-oversee,-and-20-evaluate-all-teachers-delivering-instruction-in-the-virtual-school.-21-(9)-(11)-Admission-procedures,-including-provision-for-over---enroll---22-ment,-shall-provide-that-the-initial-admission-procedures-for-a-public-char---23-ter-school-will-be-determined-by-lottery-or-other-random-method,-except-as-24-otherwise-provided-in-this-section.-A-charter-holder-shall-strive-to-ensure-25-that-citizens-in-the-primary-attendance-area-are-made-aware-of-the-enroll---26-ment-opportunities-and-deadline.-The-public-notice-must-include-the-enroll---27-ment-deadline,-the-public-charter-school's-total-enrollment-capacity-for-the-28-next-school-year,-and-an-advisory-that-all-prospective-students-will-be-given-29-the-opportunity-to-enroll-in-the-public-charter-school-regardless-of-race,-30-color,-national-origin,-ethnicity,-religion,-gender,-socioeconomic-status,-31-or-special-needs.-32-(a)-If-initial-capacity-is-insufficient-to-enroll-all-pupils-who-submit-33-a-timely-application,-then-the-admission-procedures-may-provide-that-34-preference-shall-be-given-in-the-following-order:-first,-to-children-35-of-founders,-provided-that-this-admission-preference-shall-be-limited-36-to-not-more-than-ten-percent-(10%)-of-the-capacity-of-the-public-charter-37-school;-second,-to-siblings-of-pupils-already-selected-by-the-lottery-38-or-other-random-method;-third,-to-pupils-seeking-to-transfer-from-an---39-other-Idaho-public-charter-school-or-authorizer-at-which-they-have-been-40-enrolled-for-at-least-one-(1)-year,-provided-that-this-admission-prefer---41-ence-shall-be-subject-to-an-existing-written-agreement-for-such-prefer---42-ence-between-the-subject-charter-schools-or-authorizer;-fourth,-to-stu---43-dents-residing-within-the-primary-attendance-area-of-the-public-charter-44-school;-and-fifth,-by-an-equitable-selection-process-such-as-a-lottery-45-or-other-random-method.-A-public-charter-school-may-weight-the-school's-46-lottery-to-preference-admission-for-the-following-educationally-dis---47-advantaged-students:-students-living-at-or-below-one-hundred-eighty---48-five-percent-(185%)-of-the-federal-poverty-level,-students-who-are-home---49-less-or-in-foster-care,-children-with-disabilities-as-defined-in-sec---50--8-tion-33---2001,-Idaho-Code,-students-with-limited-English-proficiency,-1-and-students-who-are-at---risk-as-defined-in-section-33---1001,-Idaho-Code.-2-A-public-charter-school-may-include-the-children-of-full---time-employees-3-of-the-public-charter-school-within-the-first-priority-group,-subject-to-4-the-limitations-therein.-5-(b)-If-capacity-is-insufficient-to-enroll-all-pupils-who-submit-a-timely-6-application-for-subsequent-school-terms,-then-the-admission-procedures-7-may-provide-that-preference-shall-be-given-in-the-following-order:-8-first,-to-pupils-returning-to-the-public-charter-school-in-the-second-9-or-any-subsequent-year-of-its-operation;-and-then-as-provided-in-para---10-graph-(a)-of-this-subsection.-The-sibling-preference-in-subsequent-1-1-school-years-applies-to-siblings-of-a-returning-pupil-and-of-a-pupil-12-selected-by-the-lottery-or-other-random-method.-A-new-lottery-shall-be-13-conducted-each-year-to-fill-vacancies-that-become-available.-A-public-14-charter-school-may-weight-the-school's-lottery-to-preference-admission-15-as-provided-in-this-paragraph-and-paragraph-(a)-of-this-subsection-and-16-for-children-who-attended-the-public-charter-school-within-the-previous-17-three-(3)-school-years-but-withdrew-as-a-result-of-the-relocation-of-a-18-parent-or-guardian-due-to-an-academic-sabbatical-or-an-employer-or-mili---19-tary-transfer-or-reassignment.-20-(c)-Each-public-charter-school-shall-establish-a-process-under-which-a-21-child-may-apply-for-enrollment-or-register-for-courses,-regardless-of-22-where-such-child-resides-at-the-time-of-application-or-registration,-if-23-the-child-is-a-dependent-of-a-member-of-the-United-States-armed-forces-24-who-has-received-transfer-orders-to-a-location-in-Idaho-and-will,-upon-25-such-transfer,-reside-in-an-area-served-by-the-public-charter-school.-26-If-capacity-is-insufficient-as-described-in-paragraph-(a)-or-(b)-of-this-27-subsection,-a-child-described-in-this-paragraph-shall-be-treated-as-a-28-student-residing-within-the-primary-attendance-area-of-the-public-char---29-ter-school-for-purposes-of-preference.-Otherwise,-such-children-shall-30-be-included-in-the-highest-priority-group-for-which-they-would-otherwise-31-be-eligible.-32-(d)-Admission-to-a-public-charter-school-shall-be-determined-by-a-selec---33-tion-process-held-within-seven-(7)-days-of-the-enrollment-deadlines-es---34-tablished-by-the-charter-holder.-The-selection-process-must-take-place-35-in-a-public-setting,-the-date-and-time-of-which-must-be-noticed-to-the-36-public-at-least-forty---eight-(48)-hours-in-advance.-37-(e)-Within-seven-(7)-days-after-conducting-the-selection-process,-the-38-charter-holder-shall-send-an-offer-to-the-legal-guardian-who-submitted-a-39-written-request-for-admission-on-behalf-of-a-student-notifying-such-per---40-son-that-the-student-has-been-selected-for-admission-to-the-public-char---41-ter-school.-An-offer-must-be-signed-by-such-student's-parent-or-guardian-42-and-returned-to-the-public-charter-school-by-the-date-designated-in-such-43-offer-letter.-Remaining-students-shall-be-notified-that-they-may-be-el---44-igible-for-admission-at-a-later-date-if-a-seat-becomes-available.-45-(f)-If-a-school-exceeds-its-projected-student-count-in-a-lottery-and-46-a-sufficient-wait-list-exists,-the-school-may-increase-enrollment-by-47-adding-additional-students-per-grade,-not-to-exceed-the-total-amount-of-48-students-authorized-by-the-charter.-49--9-SECTION-4.-An-emergency-existing-therefor,-which-emergency-is-hereby-1-declared-to-exist,-this-act-shall-be-in-full-force-and-effect-on-and-after-2-July-1,-2026.-3+Purpose+/+Fiscal+Note+Bill+SOP/FN+INTRODUCED:+02/04/2026,+9:45+AM
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