House approves private school athletes bill

BOISE (AP) — Legislation aimed at allowing private schools to compete in state and district athletic events passed the Idaho House.

The bill directs Idaho's Department of Education to outline new accreditation requirements for these schools to participate in extracurricular activities.

Rep. Tom Trail says some private schools can't compete at state and district competitions regulated by the Idaho High School Activities Association because they're considered "associate members" of this group.

Trail and Sen. Russ Fulcher and have previously sought "regular membership" status for private schools in their legislative districts. But those schools were denied because they aren't accredited through the state Board of Education.

Trail says the IHSAA declined to change its bylaws to accept other accreditation methods.

House Minority Leader John Rusche objected to the legislation, saying it set bad policy.