All Roll Calls
Yes: 30 • No: 3
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.
Raise foster safety issues in juvenile court
Alleged violations can be raised in the child's juvenile court case. The child’s lawyer, guardian ad litem, CASA, the department, or other parties with standing can bring the issue; foster parents can ask them to do so. The court can order fixes in that same case; no separate lawsuit is needed. The department must document mandatory‑reporter reports about the child and make them available to the court, following confidentiality, evidence, and due‑process rules.
Safety rights for children in foster care
The law sets clear safety rights for every child in Idaho foster care. Children have the right to a safe, healthy home and to be free from physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. After a child tells a mandatory reporter about sexual abuse, the child gets timely medical and forensic exams, under Idaho law. Children must get enough food, shelter, clothing, and personal items. A court can limit or stop visits that put a child at risk, after weighing safety assessments, protection plans, medical and behavioral evaluations, and case plans. When moving between placements, the child’s safety must be considered, without delaying an emergency move or overriding a court order.
Foster rights notices, ombudsman help, lawsuit limits
The department must give each child a written list of foster‑care safety rights at placement, at each move, and at least yearly. Licensed foster homes must post the notice where children can see it. A child, the child’s representative, a foster parent, or a party can contact the health and social services ombudsman for advice. Not getting or posting the notice alone does not create a legal violation or a right to sue. This law does not create a private lawsuit and does not expand court or department powers; enforcement stays within the existing juvenile case.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Kyle Harris
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/17/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 30 • No: 3
Actions Timeline
Reported Signed by Governor on March 25, 2026 Session Law Chapter 132 Effective: 03/25/26
3/26/2026Delivered to Governor at 4:32 p.m. on March 19, 2026
3/20/2026Received from the House enrolled/signed by Speaker
3/19/2026SenateReturned from Senate Passed; to JRA for Enrolling
3/18/2026HouseRead third time in full – PASSED - 30-3-2
3/17/2026HouseRead second time; filed for Third Reading
3/16/2026HouseReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
3/13/2026HouseReceived from the House passed; filed for first reading
3/10/2026SenateRead second time; Filed for Third Reading
3/9/2026HouseReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading
3/6/2026HouseReported Printed and Referred to Health & Welfare
2/19/2026HouseIntroduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing
2/18/2026House
Bill Text
Bill Text
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