All Roll Calls
Yes: 134 • No: 32
IdahoH 02432025 regular legislative sessionHouse
DAYCARE – Amends and repeals existing law to revise provisions regarding daycare licenses.
Sponsored By: HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE
Signed by Governor
DAYCARE
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Parents get information for choosing daycare
Beginning July 1, 2025, Idaho's Department of Health and Welfare must make information available to help families identify quality daycare. This replaces the requirement to provide an informational pamphlet. The information must strongly encourage parents to ask about criminal history checks for any provider, not just family daycare homes.
Daycare licensing changes drop posting misdemeanor
Beginning July 1, 2025, Idaho's policy establishes statewide daycare standards, including licensing and inspections, rather than minimum statewide standards. It removes the statement that state standards do not override stricter city or county rules. The law also voids daycare licensing rules in IDAPA 16.06.03, Sections 011.08 and 100.06. Licensed operators no longer face a misdemeanor solely for failing to post their basic daycare license. Operating without first obtaining a required license remains a misdemeanor, unless the facility is exempt.
Daycares gain room under staffing limits
Beginning July 1, 2025, Idaho keeps the limit of 12 child-points per staff member but lowers some children's points. For ages 24 to under 36 months, points fall from 1.5 to 1.33. For ages 36 months to under five years, points fall from 1 to 0.923. For ages five to under 13, points fall from 0.5 to 0.48. This can allow more children per staff member; daycares can still use stricter ratios.
Daycare children get defined safety protections
Beginning July 1, 2025, daycare providers must keep children under five within sight or normal hearing and close enough for immediate help. For older children, sight or normal hearing must fit each child's age, needs, and abilities. All children must remain within sight and normal hearing during sleep, water activities, and activities away from the facility. Operating a family daycare home serving four or more children without obtaining and passing the required criminal history check is a misdemeanor. For a first citation, the complaint must be dismissed if the operator makes the required applications within 20 days.
Daycare applicants face six-month completion deadline
Beginning July 1, 2025, daycare applicants must finish the license application process within six months. An unfinished application is treated as abandoned and ends. Applicants can start a new application at any time.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Carl J. Bjerke
Republican • Senate
Barbara Ehardt
Republican • House
Ehardt & Furniss
Affiliation unavailable
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/19/2025
House Floor Vote
Yes: 55 • No: 7
Senate vote • 3/14/2025
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 25 • No: 10
House vote • 2/27/2025
House Floor Vote
Yes: 54 • No: 15
Actions Timeline
Reported Signed by Governor on March 27, 2025 Session Law Chapter 185 Effective: 07/01/2025; 07/01/2025 IDAPA Sunset Clause - SECTION 12
3/27/2025Delivered to Governor at 11:33 a.m. on March 21, 2025
3/24/2025Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to Governor
3/21/2025HouseReported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to Senate
3/20/2025HouseRules Suspended: Ayes 60 Nays 3 Abs/Excd 7, read in full as required – PASSED - 55-7-8
3/19/2025HouseRead second time as amended in Senate; Filed for Third Reading
3/19/2025HouseRead first time as amended in Senate; Filed for Second Reading
3/18/2025HouseReported Engrossed; Filed for First Reading of Engrossed Bills
3/18/2025HouseBills as Amended Referred to JRA for Engrossing
3/17/2025HouseReturned from the Senate Amended; Held at Desk
3/17/2025HouseHouse Concurred in Senate Amendments
3/17/2025HouseReturned from the Senate Amended; Held at Desk
3/17/2025HouseRead third time as amended in the Senate – PASSED - 25-10-0
3/14/2025SenateRead second time as amended in the Senate, filed for Third Reading
3/13/2025SenateRead first time as amended in the Senate; Filed for Second Reading
3/12/2025SenateAmendments reported printed
3/12/2025SenateReported out as amended; filed for first reading
3/12/2025SenateAmendments ordered printed
3/12/2025SenatePlaced in the Committee of the Whole
3/12/2025SenateReferred to 14th Order for amendment
3/11/2025SenateRead second time; filed for Third Reading
3/7/2025SenateReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
3/6/2025SenateIntroduced, read first time; referred to: Health & Welfare
2/28/2025SenateReceived from the House passed; filed for first reading
2/28/2025SenateRead Third Time in Full – PASSED - 54-15-1 Floor Sponsors - Ehardt & Furniss
2/27/2025House
Bill Text
Amendment
Bill Text
Engrossment 1
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