H 656 requires Idaho public schools and colleges to collect *aggregated* data on students' immigration status, nationality, and primary language, but not individual student information. This data will be submitted annually to the state board of education for budget analysis, specifically to estimate education costs and assess how federal immigration policies impact Idaho's education funding. The bill explicitly prohibits using the data for discrimination and mandates compliance with existing privacy laws (Idaho Code §33-133). It applies to all public institutions of higher education, charter schools, and school districts in Idaho. The data collection is scheduled to begin July 1, 2026.
