All Roll Calls
Yes: 27 • No: 8
IdahoH 07762026 regular legislative sessionHouse
CHILD PROTECTION – Adds to existing law to provide for safety checks for children under one year of age.
Sponsored By: HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE
Signed by Governor
CHILD PROTECTION
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Faster safety checks for at-risk babies
When a mandatory reporter says a caregiver of a child under one has a listed risk, the Department must check records within 12 hours. If the risk is verified, the Department starts a Priority I response and completes a full written safety assessment. Risk factors are: a child-protection registry entry in the past 10 years; a conviction for injury to a child (Idaho Code 18-1501); prior termination of parental rights; or a baby born with neonatal abstinence syndrome. The assessment must note caregiver compliance with any court-ordered treatment or supervision, the child’s living setup and household members, and past Department investigations and services. If the Department cannot verify in 12 hours, or safety needs immediate action, it may begin a Priority I response and assessment without verification. The law takes effect immediately.
Medical signs alone aren’t abuse
A medical condition or diagnosis by itself does not create a presumption of abuse or neglect. Investigators must rely on more than medical signs alone under this law.
Police must share newborn risk details
When police send a child-protection report, they must include any known listed risk factors. To verify a reported risk, the Department uses its own records and, when possible, official Idaho criminal or medical records.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Tammy Nichols
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/30/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 27 • No: 8
Actions Timeline
Reported Signed by Governor on April 2, 2026 Session Law Chapter 276 Effective: 04/02/2026
4/2/2026Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to Governor
4/1/2026HouseReported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to Senate
3/31/2026HouseRead third time in full – PASSED - 27-8-0
3/30/2026HouseRead second time; filed for Third Reading
3/25/2026HouseReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
3/24/2026HouseReceived from the House passed; filed for first reading
3/19/2026SenateRead second time; Filed for Third Reading
3/18/2026HouseReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading
3/17/2026HouseReported Printed and Referred to Health & Welfare
2/26/2026HouseIntroduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing
2/25/2026House
Bill Text
Bill Text
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