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IdahoH 07232026 regular legislative sessionHouse

CHILD CARE LICENSING – Adds to existing law to provide for department oversight for residential care facilities, licensing requirements, facility documentation requirements, and the youth bill of rights.

Sponsored By: HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE

Signed by Governor

CHILD CARE LICENSING

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Fast reporting of serious incidents to families

Beginning July 1, 2026, facilities must report a critical incident to the department by the end of the next business day. They must also tell the parent, guardian, or placing agency by then, unless a court or safety concern bars it. Facilities keep an internal incident log for inspection. The department protects privacy, reviews and analyzes incidents, follows best practices, and shares substantiated findings and actions with the public.

Stronger inspections at children's care homes

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare inspects every licensed children’s residential facility at least once a year without warning. The department can add extra inspections after complaints, serious incidents, or past problems. Inspectors privately interview residents and staff that the department selects. Findings drive corrective action plans, licensing sanctions, and referrals to the child abuse hotline or law enforcement when needed.

Youth rights posted and protected in care

Beginning July 1, 2026, the department publishes a Youth Bill of Rights for children in residential care. Facilities must post it, give copies at admission to each child and parent or guardian, and explain it in age-appropriate and culturally and linguistically appropriate ways, with interpretation if needed. Children can privately contact the child abuse reporting hotline. Retaliation for asserting rights or calling the hotline is banned and treated as a licensing violation.

Personal care plans and records for kids

Beginning July 1, 2026, facilities must record a child’s physical and emotional state, diagnosis, needs, and test reports at placement. Each child gets an individualized service plan within 30 days, updated at least every 90 days. If a stay is under 30 days, the plan at admission must cover immediate needs and services. After discharge, the facility must write a discharge summary within seven days, including needs and treatment recommendations.

These rules start July 1, 2026

The law takes effect July 1, 2026. From that date, facilities and the department must follow these oversight, rights, and reporting rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Marco Adam Erickson

    Republican • House

  • Alison “Ali” Rabe

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 74 • No: 28

Senate vote • 3/18/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 32 • No: 3

House vote • 3/3/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 42 • No: 25

Actions Timeline

  1. Reported Signed by Governor on March 26, 2026 Session Law Chapter 139 Effective: 07/01/2026

    3/26/2026

  2. Delivered to Governor at 1:52 p.m. on March 20, 2026

    3/23/2026

  3. Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to Governor

    3/20/2026Senate

  4. Signed by President; returned to House

    3/19/2026Senate

  5. Received from the House enrolled/signed by Speaker

    3/19/2026Senate

  6. Reported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to Senate

    3/19/2026House

  7. Returned from Senate Passed; to JRA for Enrolling

    3/18/2026House

  8. Read third time in full – PASSED - 32-3-0

    3/18/2026Senate

  9. Retained on calendar

    3/16/2026Senate

  10. Read second time; filed for Third Reading

    3/9/2026Senate

  11. Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading

    3/6/2026Senate

  12. Introduced, read first time; referred to: Health & Welfare

    3/4/2026Senate

  13. Received from the House passed; filed for first reading

    3/4/2026Senate

  14. Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 42-25-3

    3/3/2026House

  15. Read second time; Filed for Third Reading

    3/2/2026House

  16. Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading

    2/27/2026House

  17. Reported Printed and Referred to Health & Welfare

    2/19/2026House

  18. Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing

    2/18/2026House

Bill Text

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