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IdahoH 07242026 regular legislative sessionHouse

CHILD CARE LICENSING – Adds to existing law to provide for a notice of safety-related rights for foster children.

Sponsored By: HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE

Signed by Governor

CHILD CARE LICENSING

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

New safety rights for foster children

The law lists safety rights for every child in foster care. Children have the right to a safe, healthy home and to be free from any abuse. If a child reports sexual abuse to a mandatory reporter, the child gets timely medical exams and forensic testing. Courts can limit or stop visits that put the child at risk, and safety must be weighed during any placement move. The department must give each child a written notice of these rights at first placement, at each move, and at least once a year. Licensed foster homes must post the notice where children can see it. Not posting by itself does not create a private lawsuit.

Foster child protections take effect now

The act takes effect upon passage and approval. The new rights, notices, and court processes apply immediately.

Reporting and fixing foster child rights violations

Alleged violations of these rights are handled in the child’s ongoing juvenile court case. The child’s lawyer, guardian ad litem, CASA, the department, or another party with standing can raise the issue; foster parents act through those parties. The court can order fixes within that case. The department must add mandatory reports about the child to the case record for the court, following confidentiality and evidence rules. This law does not create a new private right to sue the state, the courts, or the department, and it does not expand the court’s jurisdiction.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Mark Harris

    Republican • Senate

  • Josh Wheeler

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 88 • No: 10

Senate vote • 3/17/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 30 • No: 3

House vote • 3/9/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 58 • No: 7

Actions Timeline

  1. Reported Signed by Governor on March 25, 2026 Session Law Chapter 132 Effective: 03/25/26

    3/26/2026

  2. Delivered to Governor at 4:32 p.m. on March 19, 2026

    3/20/2026

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

    3/19/2026Senate

  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

    3/18/2026House

  7. Returned from Senate Passed; to JRA for Enrolling

    3/18/2026House

  8. Read third time in full – PASSED - 30-3-2

    3/17/2026Senate

  9. Read second time; filed for Third Reading

    3/16/2026Senate

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

    3/13/2026Senate

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

    3/10/2026Senate

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

    3/10/2026Senate

  13. Rules Suspended: Ayes 65 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 5, read in full as required – PASSED - 58-7-5

    3/9/2026House

  14. Read second time; Filed for Third Reading

    3/9/2026House

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

    3/6/2026House

  16. Reported Printed and Referred to Health & Welfare

    2/19/2026House

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

    2/18/2026House

Bill Text

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