All Roll Calls
Yes: 97 • No: 75
IdahoH 04942026 regular legislative sessionHouseWALLET
HEALTH AND WELFARE – Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding background checks conducted by the Department of Health and Welfare.
Sponsored By: HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE
Signed by Governor
HEALTH AND WELFARE
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Background checks for Idaho care roles
Idaho replaces its former background-check law with a centralized system to screen people in sensitive care and service roles. Covered groups include care workers and volunteers, adoptive parents, high-risk Medicaid providers, guardians, and conservators. Department personnel are covered when their duties involve specified care, sensitive information, or background checks. Applicants must apply, disclose required information, and provide fingerprints for Idaho State Police and FBI checks. Screening also covers protection registries, driving records, nurse aide records, federal exclusion lists, and relevant records from other states. Department rules can expand covered groups, define disqualifying records, and set denial-challenge procedures, subject to legislative approval where required.
Privacy protections for background check applicants
The Department must keep background-check records and information confidential. It can share them only when state or federal law allows. A denial does not disclose the underlying criminal-history details.
Job clearance offers no hiring guarantee
A clearance means the Department found no disqualifying crime or record; it does not establish fitness for a job. Employers still make their own hiring decisions. The Department or an employer is protected from liability for an employment decision that reasonably relies on a clearance. That protection does not cover every employment decision and can limit an applicant's legal recourse.
Check fees with temporary caregiver protection
Most applicants must pay a nonrefundable background-check fee unless another law provides otherwise. The Department sets fee amounts by rule, subject to legislative approval; the law sets no dollar amount. Temporary caregivers are not charged, and Temporary Care Assistance programs cannot pass check costs to them. Guardians pay for required checks of people living in or frequenting a proposed ward's home. Proposed guardians also pay for checks required at their expense, including household checks requested by the court-appointed guardian ad litem.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Julie VanOrden
Republican • Senate
Josh Wheeler
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/26/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 41 • No: 29
Senate vote • 3/23/2026
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 20 • No: 13
House vote • 2/9/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 36 • No: 33
Actions Timeline
Reported Signed by Governor on March 27, 2026 Session Law Chapter 220 Effective: 07/01/2026
3/30/2026Delivered to Governor at 1:45 p.m. on March 27, 2026
3/30/2026Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to Governor
3/27/2026SenateSigned by President; returned to House
3/27/2026SenateReceived from the House enrolled/signed by Speaker
3/27/2026SenateReported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to Senate
3/26/2026HouseRules Suspended: Ayes 68 Nays 1 Abs/Excd 1, read in full as required – PASSED - 41-29-0
3/26/2026HouseRead second time as amended in Senate; Filed for Third Reading
3/26/2026HouseRead first time as amended in Senate; Filed for Second Reading
3/25/2026HouseReported Engrossed; Filed for First Reading of Engrossed Bills
3/25/2026HouseBills as Amended Referred to JRA for Engrossing
3/24/2026HouseReturned from the Senate Amended; Held at Desk
3/24/2026HouseHouse Concurred in Senate Amendments
3/24/2026HouseReturned from the Senate Amended; Held at Desk
3/24/2026HouseRead third time as amended in the Senate – PASSED - 20-13-2
3/23/2026SenateRead second time as amended in the Senate, filed for Third Reading
3/17/2026SenateRead first time as amended in the Senate; Filed for Second Reading
3/16/2026SenateAmendments reported printed
3/16/2026SenateReported out as amended; filed for first reading
3/13/2026SenateAmendments ordered printed
3/13/2026SenatePlaced in the Committee of the Whole
3/13/2026SenateReported out of committee; to 14th Order for amendment
2/19/2026SenateIntroduced, read first time; referred to: Health & Welfare
2/10/2026SenateReceived from the House passed; filed for first reading
2/10/2026SenateRead Third Time in Full – PASSED - 36-33-1
2/9/2026House
Bill Text
Amendment
Bill Text
Engrossment 1
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