The Idaho Family Policy Center has filed a lawsuit against Boise State University in Ada County District Court, alleging the institution violated state public records law by failing to timely produce documents related to a 2025 academic study on obstetrician-gynecologist departures from Idaho. The case highlights tensions between government transparency requirements and institutional records management practices at one of the state’s largest public universities.
The dispute began when IFPC submitted a public records request on December 10, 2025, seeking documents, data, and correspondence related to an academic article examining why OB-GYNs have been leaving Idaho. The article was co-authored by a physician affiliated with Boise State’s School of Health Sciences, and the university provided institutional review for the research. According to the complaint, Boise State did not produce records until January 27, 2026—48 days later—well past the 10-day legal deadline required under Idaho public records law.
What Boise State Provided
When the university finally responded, it delivered a two-page document containing a dataset showing OB-GYN numbers across Idaho’s 44 counties from 2022 to 2024. The data revealed a stark decline: Idaho’s OB-GYN workforce fell from 268 physicians in 2022 to 174 in 2024, representing a 35 percent reduction in just two years. The document produced contained no redactions.
Boise State billed IFPC $257.02 for the records request, charging for three-and-a-half hours of review time by a paralegal and attorney. The lawsuit now seeks reimbursement of that amount, or a sum to be determined at trial, plus attorney fees for IFPC.
The Legal Challenge
The complaint, filed with Ada County District Court, contends that Boise State ignored its obligation to produce public records within the statutory 10-day window. Blaine Conzatti, identified with IFPC, told the organization’s supporters that “BSU has played fast and loose with the requirements of Idaho’s public records law for a long time. Their evasion needs to end – and we’re going to hold them accountable.”, as first reported by the Idaho Education News
Boise State University declined to address the allegations directly. Stephany Galbreaith, a university spokesperson, stated the institution does “not comment on pending litigation.”
Context for Ada County Residents
The underlying research touches on a significant healthcare issue for Idaho families. The study’s data showing a 35 percent drop in OB-GYNs since 2022 raises questions about maternity care access across the state, including in Ada County and the broader Treasure Valley. Public records disputes involving state institutions are also relevant to taxpayers and residents who rely on transparency mechanisms to hold government agencies accountable.
Idaho law requires public agencies to respond to records requests within 10 business days, with limited exceptions for complex requests or materials requiring redaction. Universities and other public institutions have occasionally faced criticism over slow turnarounds or excessive fees charged for records production. This case will test whether Boise State’s delay and billing practices comply with state statute.
What Comes Next
The case is now pending in Ada County District Court. IFPC’s complaint requests that the court order Boise State to produce any additional records that should have been included in the original response and award damages and attorney fees to the advocacy group. The university has not yet filed a response to the lawsuit, and a trial date has not been set.
Ada County residents interested in public records issues or higher-education accountability may want to follow this case as it develops. Boise State University’s handling of similar requests could affect how quickly the public can obtain information from one of Idaho’s largest employers and educational institutions.