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 children's federal benefits
Beginning July 1, 2026, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare checks within 60 days, and every year after, if a child in its custody gets or can get Social Security or VA benefits. If a child already gets benefits, the department works with the child and the child’s lawyer to identify a payee, or applies to be payee if no suitable person is available. If a child is eligible, the department applies for the benefits and, if needed, applies to be the payee. The department sends written notices about all applications, decisions, and appeals to the child, the child’s lawyer, the child’s guardian, and the parents if rights are not terminated. If benefits are denied, the department consults the child and lawyer and appeals when that is in the child’s best interest.
Protect children's federal benefits in custody
Beginning July 1, 2026, when the department is a child’s payee, it must keep the benefits in a proper account, use them for unmet current needs, and save for future needs under federal rules and asset limits. Each year it checks if another qualified person can serve as payee and helps transfer the role if so. It gives an annual accounting to the child, the child’s lawyer, the guardian, and the parents if rights are not terminated. The department cannot use a child’s benefits to pay or repay the state for care, supervision, or services. It may spend benefits only on the child’s unmet needs beyond what the department must or agreed to pay.
Savings plan and payouts for milestones
Beginning July 1, 2026, when the department is payee and a child has saved benefits, it creates a “success sequence” savings and payout plan. Payouts can be tied to steps like getting a driver’s license or ID, earning a diploma or GED, enrolling in college or training, six months of verified work, and finishing a financial literacy course. The plan sets reasonable payout amounts and gives the child money tools before leaving custody. When the department’s custody ends, any remaining funds go to the child if 18 or emancipated, or to the parent or guardian if the child is under 18 and not emancipated.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Tammy Nichols
Republican • Senate
Josh Tanner
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/10/2026
Senate 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
3/13/2026SenateSigned by President; returned to House
3/12/2026SenateReceived from the House enrolled/signed by Speaker
3/12/2026SenateReported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to Senate
3/11/2026HouseReturned from Senate Passed; to JRA for Enrolling
3/10/2026HouseRead third time in full – PASSED - 31-3-1
3/10/2026SenateRead second time; filed for Third Reading
2/25/2026SenateReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
2/24/2026SenateIntroduced, read first time; referred to: Health & Welfare
2/19/2026SenateReceived 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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