House OKs Parental Rights Law

After a fervent, hour-long debate, the House has voted 37-31 in favor of HB 113 , Rep. Janet Trujillo’s parental rights bill. Backers included Rep. Pete Nielsen, R-Mountain Home, who told a story about objecting to his teenage daughter’s school health class mentioning masturbation, and being allowed to have her leave the class when those subjects were covered. Opponents included House Education Chairman Reed DeMordaunt, R-Eagle, who said the measure is fraught with “unintended consequences,” and could allow a parent to demand that their child be taught Sharia law in public school, or taught only in Spanish. “Every parent could then say they want their own specific textbook for their own child,” he said. “I don’t know what the cost of that is going to be”/ Betsy Russell , Eye on Boise. More here.

Also by Eye on Boise today:

• Bill to increase juror pay passes House
• Bill seeks to license sign-language interpreters
• House Ed Committee introduces anti-bullying bill
• Otter signs stopgap school broadband funding bill
• Panel OKs bill to require parental approval for minors using tanning beds