IdahoIdaho fund may reimburse schools for high-cost disability services
Idaho's education department may reimburse schools for some high-cost services required by a student's education plan, depending on approval and available fund money.
What it does
Schools may seek annual reimbursement for eligible costs above $30,000, up to $100,000 per student, if the state approves the application and fund money is available.
Starting in fiscal year 2028, the department must report each year on fund balances, applicants, awards, and the goods and services reimbursed.
Argument forSchools could recover some high costs for required special services, helping them pay for support in a student's education plan.
Argument againstSchools could receive less than the approved amount if claims exceed available money, and rural and non-rural schools have separate reserved shares.
More detail
The state education department may approve schools' annual applications for reimbursement of eligible costs. The student must have a disability and an individualized education program, with related costs above $30,000. Eligible costs include special services and equipment, but not routine classroom costs, basic supplies, or standard transportation. Costs must be tied to a student's individualized education program and not covered by another funding source, including school-based Medicaid. Schools must list eligible costs and attest that they will provide records showing those costs were not reimbursed elsewhere. Payments depend on fund money and department approval. If approved applications exceed available money, schools receive a proportional share; up to 60% is reserved for non-rural schools and up to 40% for rural schools. The law took effect July 1, 2026. Applications are annual; applications received by June 1 are paid if the approved amount fits the estimated fund balance.
The state education department must report on the fund and its awards. The department reports to the governor, the state board of education, and the state senate and house education committees. Reports are due by January 5 each year, beginning in fiscal year 2028.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 1Signed by Governor Brad Little on 03/31/26 Session Law Chapter 234 Effective: 07/01/2026Became Law
- Mar 26Reported delivered to Governor at 11:16 a.m. on 03/26/26To Governor
- Mar 26Reported signed by the Speaker & ordered delivered to GovernorMinor
- Mar 25Received from Senate; Signed by Speaker; Returned to SenateMajor
- Mar 25Reported enrolled; signed by President; to House for signature of SpeakerMajor
- Mar 24Returned From House Passed; referred to enrollingMinor
- Vote recorded Read Third Time in Full –. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 24Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 49-21-0AYES – Barbieri, Berch, Bingham, Boyle, Cannon, Cheatum, Church, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dygert, Egbert, Ehardt, Erickson, Fuhriman, Furniss, Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Green, Hall(Stone), Handy, Haws, Healey, Holtzclaw, Manwaring, Mathias, McCann, Mendive, Mickelsen, Miller, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Pohanka, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Rubel, Sauter, Shepherd, Shirts, Skaug, Tanner(13), Vander Woude, Veile, Weber, WheelerNAYS – Alfieri, Beiswenger, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cayler, Ehlers, Harris, Hawkins, Hill, Hostetler, Leavitt, Marmon, Mitchell, Monks, Price, Rasor, Scott, Tanner(14), Thompson, Wisniewski, Mr. SpeakerAbsent – NoneFloor Sponsor - MendiveTitle apvd - to SenatePassed 2nd Chamber
- Mar 23Read second time; Filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 20Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second ReadingMinor
- Feb 27Read First Time, Referred to EducationMinor
- Feb 27Received from the Senate, Filed for First Reading
- Feb 26Read third time in full – PASSED - 22-12-1AYES – Anthon, Bernt, Blaylock, Burtenshaw, Cook, Den Hartog, Foreman, Galloway, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Lakey, Lent, Rabe, Ricks, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Taylor, VanOrden, Ward-Engelking, Wintrow, WoodwardNAYS – Adams, Carlson, Hart, Keyser, Kohl, Lenney, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Shippy, Toews, Zito, ZuiderveldAbsent and excused – BjerkeFloor Sponsor - BlaylockTitle apvd - to HousePassed 1st Chamber
- Vote recorded Read third time in full –. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 20Read second time; filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Feb 19Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second readingMinor
- Feb 16Reported Printed; referred to Education
- Feb 13Introduced; read first time; referred to JR for PrintingIntroduced
Education