All Roll Calls
Yes: 84 • No: 16
IdahoH 05582026 regular legislative sessionHouseWALLET
JUVENILE PROCEEDINGS – Adds to existing law to provide requirements for the Department of Health and Welfare to apply and reserve federal benefits for children in the department’s legal custody.
Sponsored By: HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE
Signed by Governor
JUVENILE PROCEEDINGS
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Find and secure kids' federal benefits
Beginning July 1, 2026, the department checks each child in its custody for Social Security or Veterans benefits within 60 days and then every year. If a child already gets benefits, it identifies the payee with the child and attorney, or applies to be payee if no one else fits. If the child is eligible but not enrolled, the department applies for the benefits and, if needed, to be the payee. The department gives written notice of any application, decision, or appeal to the child, the child’s attorney, guardian, and parents (if parental rights remain). If benefits are denied, it consults with the child and attorney and appeals when it is in the child’s best interest.
Protect kids' benefit money in custody
Beginning July 1, 2026, when the department is a child’s representative payee, it keeps an account to use and save the child’s benefits under program rules and asset limits. It cannot use a child’s benefits to pay or repay the state for care, maintenance, supervision, or services. It may spend benefits only on the child’s unmet needs beyond what the department must or agreed to pay. Each year, the department reviews if another qualified person can serve as payee and helps transfer the role if needed. It must also give an annual accounting to the child, the child’s attorney, guardian, and parents if parental rights remain.
Savings milestones and payouts for kids
Beginning July 1, 2026, when the department is the payee and benefits are saved, it sets a savings and payout plan for each child. A child can get parts of saved funds after milestones like getting an ID or driver’s license, finishing high school or a GED, enrolling in college, job training, or an apprenticeship, keeping verified work for six months, or completing a department‑approved financial literacy course. The department sets fair payout amounts and gives financial literacy and planning tools before the child leaves custody. When custody ends, any remaining money goes to the child if 18 or emancipated, or to the parent or guardian if younger and not emancipated.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Tammy Nichols
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/10/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 31 • No: 3
House vote • 2/18/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 53 • No: 13
Actions Timeline
Reported Signed by Governor on March 17, 2026 Session Law Chapter 31 Effective: 07/01/2026
3/18/2026Delivered to Governor at 2:30 p.m. on March 13, 2026
3/16/2026Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to Governor
3/13/2026HouseReceived from the House enrolled/signed by Speaker
3/12/2026SenateReported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to Senate
3/11/2026HouseRead third time in full – PASSED - 31-3-1
3/10/2026HouseRead second time; filed for Third Reading
2/25/2026HouseReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
2/24/2026HouseReceived from the House passed; filed for first reading
2/19/2026SenateRead Third Time in Full – PASSED - 53-13-4
2/18/2026HouseRead second time; Filed for Third Reading
2/17/2026HouseReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading
2/16/2026HouseReported Printed and Referred to Health & Welfare
1/30/2026HouseIntroduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing
1/29/2026House
Bill Text
Bill Text
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