All Roll Calls
Yes: 103 • No: 1
IdahoS 10242025 regular legislative sessionSenateWALLET
MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE SERVICES – Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law regarding adult and children’s mental health services and substance use disorder services.
Sponsored By: HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE
Signed by Governor
MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE SERVICES
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 5 mixed.
New eligibility rules for adult mental healthcare
Beginning July 1, 2025, Idaho residents age 18 or older can qualify for voluntary mental health services. They need a primary diagnosis of serious mental illness or serious and persistent mental illness. Department screening must relate to their illness and daily functioning. The department may cap enrollment or prioritize care based on funding, court orders, financial need, or clinical need. The law also repeals the former adult mental health rules in IDAPA 16.07.33 beginning July 1, 2025.
New eligibility rules for children's mental healthcare
Idaho children under 18 can qualify for voluntary mental health services through department screening. They need a primary DSM-5-TR mental health diagnosis and substantial limits in daily functioning, measured with a department-approved tool. A substance use or developmental disorder alone does not qualify. The department may cap enrollment or prioritize care based on funding, court orders, financial need, or clinical need. Beginning July 1, 2025, the law also repeals the former children's mental health rules in IDAPA 16.07.37.
Substance use care has eligibility limits
Idaho adults and youth ages 12–17 can qualify for department substance use services through standardized screening. Eligibility includes family income at or below department-set federal poverty guidelines and membership in a priority group designated yearly. Applicants must meet DSM-5 diagnosis rules and American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria for the recommended care level. Screening reviews substance use history, income, living situation, and functioning; eligible applicants receive a clinical assessment and individual service plan. Participants can choose any contracted network provider, but care must stay within the recommended level, and the department may limit or prioritize services. Beginning July 1, 2025, the law also repeals the former substance use service rules in IDAPA 16.07.17.
Treatment payments follow ability to pay
Beginning July 1, 2025, people receiving department substance use services must pay the amount the department sets for each service. The department bases that amount on ability to pay. The Board of Health and Welfare may, but need not, adopt rules considering income, savings, property, and support obligations. The law removes the department's prior authority to receive or seize income from patients or their estates. It gives no payment schedule or formula.
Treatment providers must meet staffing standards
Substance use programs must employ enough staff to provide care as a team across different specialties. Each location must employ at least one qualified substance use professional. Qualifying staff include specified IBADCC-certified counselors, master addictions counselors certified by NBCC or NCCAP, and licensed professionals. Department residential treatment contractors must hold national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. They also need American Society of Addiction Medicine certification showing they can meet Level III care standards.
Background-check waivers offer treatment workers options
Workers can seek a waiver to provide substance use treatment or recovery support after an unconditional background-check denial. They can also apply after a denial following a department exemption review. While a request is pending, work or participant access is allowed only under supervision. Beginning July 1, 2025, certified peer support specialists, family support partners, and recovery coaches also have this waiver application route. Applying does not guarantee approval.
Treatment trainees face qualifications and deadlines
Substance use treatment trainees must hold an associate certification or document current enrollment in a qualifying professional program before working. After completing a certification program, trainees awaiting a license can continue working only at the same agency. That work can last no more than six months after program completion.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Marco Adam Erickson
Republican • House
Julie VanOrden
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/18/2025
House Floor Vote
Yes: 68 • No: 1
Senate vote • 2/4/2025
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 35 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor on 03/26/25 Session Law Chapter 178 Effective: 07/01/2025; 07/01/2025 IDAPA Sunset Clause - SECTION 15, 16, & 17
3/27/2025Reported delivered to Governor at 3:50 p.m. on 03/20/25
3/21/2025Reported signed by the Speaker & ordered delivered to Governor
3/20/2025Received from Senate; Signed by Speaker; Returned to Senate
3/20/2025HouseReported enrolled; signed by President; to House for signature of Speaker
3/19/2025SenateReturned From House Passed; referred to enrolling
3/19/2025SenateRead Third Time in Full – PASSED - 68-1-1
3/18/2025HouseU.C. to hold place on third reading calendar one legislative day
3/17/2025HouseU.C. to hold place on third reading calendar until Monday, March 17, 2025
3/14/2025HouseU.C. to hold place on third reading calendar one legislative day
3/14/2025HouseU.C. to hold place on third reading calendar one legislative day
3/13/2025HouseRead second time; Filed for Third Reading
3/12/2025HouseReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading
3/11/2025HouseRead First Time, Referred to Health & Welfare
2/5/2025HouseReceived from the Senate, Filed for First Reading
2/5/2025HouseRead third time in full – PASSED - 35-0-0
2/4/2025SenateRead second time; filed for Third Reading
2/3/2025SenateReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
1/31/2025SenateReported Printed; referred to Health & Welfare
1/24/2025SenateIntroduced; read first time; referred to JR for Printing
1/23/2025Senate
Bill Text
Bill Text
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