Idaho Commission on Human Rights Et Al. v‪.‬

The Idaho Commission on Human Rights (plaintiffs-appellants, hereinafter referred to as the Commission), created by I.C. § 67-5903, instituted this action to enjoin the named defendants-respondents from enforcing regulations adopted by respondent school district pertaining to acceptable standards for the length of hair for male students. The Commission initially became involved when students and parents of students charged there was unlawful discrimination by the administration of the high school. The parents asserted that there had been a violation of I.C. § 67-5909(6)(a), which prohibits educational institutions from discriminating against students on the basis of sex. After attempting to resolve the dispute between the parents and the high school administration, the Commission filed its amended complaint seeking injunctive relief from the enforcement of the hair length regulations. The amended complaint alleged that the principal of the high school enforced the hair length regulations adopted by the Board of Trustees of the school district which were applicable only to male students. The Commission also filed a motion for an order to show cause and a preliminary injunction with supporting affidavits.