Idaho Military Legislation & Policies

Latest Status

Open Enrollment Flexibility: Idaho Legislation Partially Complete

Demographic Data

State residents include:

4,399 active-duty service members
1,576 active-duty spouses
2,874 active-duty children
- 1,649 children in K-12
8,615 National Guard and reserve members
4,210 National Guard and reserve spouses
7,495 National Guard and reserve children
- 4,798 children in K-12

Data source: DMDC, Dec. 31, 2025

Tammie Perreault

Northwest Regional Liaison

Northwest Region

AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY

EMAIL

Ms. Perreault became Northwest region liaison in 2018. Prior to joining the DSLO, she worked in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors in public policy development and advocacy. Ms. Perreault is a U.S. Army combat veteran.

State-Specific Progress on State Policy Priorities and Sub-Priorities

See the latest status on legislation and policies being advanced in this state on state policy priorities important to military families. Find quick access to this state’s regional liaison, along with demographic data for the military community in this state.

Occupational Licensure Interstate Compacts4/19 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Compact

Athletic Trainer Compact

Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact

03/01/2022HB664

03/17/2022HB664

03/23/2022

Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact Final Legislation

This legislation implements the "Audiology and Speech-language Pathology Interstate Compact," which allows audiologists and speech-language pathologists licensed in any compact state to provide audiology or speech-language pathology services in each member state under a privilege to practice, and telehealth services in each member state under a privilege to practice.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Cosmetology Licensure Compact

Dental and Dental Hygienist Compact

Dietitian Licensure Compact

Emergency Medical Services Licensure Compact

03/16/2016

Emergency Medical Services Licensure Compact Final Legislation

The EMS Compact allows qualified EMS personnel to work across state borders, within their scope of practice, on a short term, intermittent basis. The Compact provides a limited-duration, privilege to practice under approved circumstances.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Esthetics Licensure Compact

Interstate Compact for School Psychologists

Interstate Massage Therapy Compact

Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact

Licensed Professional Counseling Compact

Nurse Licensure Compact

03/16/2016

Nurse Licensure Compact Final Legislation

The Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) removes barriers for nurses practicing in multiple states. Nurses from NLC states are able to work across state lines without having applying for licensure in each state. The NLC has been established with the assistance of the Council of State Governments.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact

Physical Therapy Licensure Compact

Physician Associates Compact

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact

03/14/2022S1305

03/01/2022S1305

03/23/2022

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact Final Legislation

The Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) is an interstate compact designed to facilitate the practice of telepsychology and the temporary in-person, face-to-face practice of psychology across state boundaries.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Respiratory Care Interstate Compact

Social Work Licensure Compact

Military Spouse Employment Preference0/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Employment Preference - Private Sector

Employment Preference - Public Sector

Employment Preference - Procurement

Military Clause in State Family Leave Laws

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Solutions for Military Homeschoolers2/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Streamline Requirements

04/03/2009

Streamline Requirements Final Legislation

Senate Bill 1017 created a highly streamlined regulatory environment for military homeschooling families, minimizing the administrative burdens and educational disruptions associated with frequent Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves. Under Idaho Code § 33-202, parents are simply required to provide instruction in subjects commonly taught in public schools for children between the ages of 7 and 16. Because Idaho law does not mandate state reporting, curriculum approvals, portfolio reviews, or standardized testing, military families can seamlessly maintain their children's educational continuity.

Ensure Extracurricular Access

03/16/2017

Ensure Extracurricular Access Final Legislation

Idaho supports the overall integration of military home school children through its dual enrollment provisions. Homeschooled students are legally eligible to dual-enroll in their local public schools to participate in specific academic classes and extracurricular programs, including competitive sports. This ensures that military children have full access to local athletic, team-building, and social opportunities without having to sacrifice their private homeschool status.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Clarify JROTC Eligibility

State Exemption for Military-Certified Family Child Care Homes

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

12/01/2022

State Exemption for Military-Certified Family Child Care Homes Final Legislation

A memo was issued to Mountain Home Air Force Base (MHAFB) by the State of Idaho (IDHW) verifying that no state oversight is required as, "The Department of Health and Welfare has determined that no MOU is needed as the Department of Defense/AF requirements exceed the State of Idaho requirements for licensing." This memo was delivered on December 1, 2022 to 366th FSS from Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

State Support of Military Families With Special Education Needs0/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Minimize Delays

Reduce Burdens

Education Policy Implementation and Information Enhancements2/4 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Advance Enrollment Enhancements

Military Student Identifier Enhancements

06/02/2025

Military Student Identifier Enhancements Final Legislation

Idaho's website Supporting Military Families (https://www.sde.idaho.gov/supporting-military-families/) is a best practice example for providing detailed information, including on the use, reporting process, and benefits of the Military Student Identifier (MSI). Idaho provides data on the accounts for military connected students through the Idaho System for Educational Excellence: https://boardofed.idaho.gov/k-12-education/isee-idaho-system-for-educational-excellence/ Data on military student achievement can be found at https://www.idahoreportcard.org/.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Education Compact Enhancements

Purple Star Schools Program Enhancements

06/02/2025

Purple Star Schools Program Enhancements Final Legislation

Idaho's website Supporting Military Families (https://www.sde.idaho.gov/supporting-military-families/) is a best practice example for providing detailed information, including on the Purple Star school program. Although the Purple Star School program is not codified in state statute it meets all of the requirements of model policy, including a required renewal process.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Open Enrollment Flexibility

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

03/02/2026HB762

03/17/2026HB762

03/25/2026

Open Enrollment Flexibility Final Legislation

This bill makes it easier for military families to enroll their children in Idaho's public charter schools. When a charter school has more applicants than available spots, this legislation ensures the school provides preference to children of military personnel. Additionally, this legislation supports military families relocating to Idaho by allowing them to apply to charter schools before arriving in the state. These applications are given priority, treating the children as if they already reside in the school's local area. Additionally, students who previously withdrew due to a military transfer are given preference if they want to re-enroll within three years.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Concurrent Juvenile Jurisdiction

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

State Response to Military Interpersonal Violence0/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Enhance Information-Sharing

Allow Military Protective Orders as Evidence

Military Community Representation on State Defense Councils

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

State Policy Priorities 2026

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

State Policy Priorities 2026

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