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IdahoS 12662026 regular legislative sessionSenate

FOSTER CARE – Amends and adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding foster care placement.

Sponsored By: HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE

Signed by Governor

FOSTER CARE

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Reunification deadline now 12 months

Beginning July 1, 2026, reunification must be done by month 12 when a child has been in the department's custody for 12 of the last 22 months. If parents have not followed court orders or the case plan, the law treats reunification as not accomplished at the end of month 12. Courts can then move to other permanent plans, like adoption or guardianship.

Extended foster care up to 23

Beginning July 1, 2026, young adults who turned 18 in foster care can stay in continued care up to, but not past, age 23. They can remain in a foster home, a children's residential care facility, or a transitional living placement. A court must review extended foster care orders at least every six months. The two-month review cycle does not apply. This applies only if the person was in the department's custody until 18 and meets federal extended-care rules.

Faster foster placements with relatives

Beginning July 1, 2026, the department can place a child with relatives faster. It can issue a foster license to kin or grant a limited waiver of a licensing rule when safety is not harmed. Any waiver must be written, explain why the child stays safe, and get reviewed. Licensed kin placements count as foster care under state law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Codi Galloway

    Republican • Senate

  • Dori Healey

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 104 • No: 0

House vote • 3/24/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 70 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/23/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 34 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor on 03/27/26 Session Law Chapter 198 Effective: 07/01/2026

    3/30/2026

  2. Reported delivered to Governor at 11:16 a.m. on 03/26/26

    3/26/2026

  3. Reported signed by the Speaker & ordered delivered to Governor

    3/26/2026

  4. Received from Senate; Signed by Speaker; Returned to Senate

    3/25/2026House

  5. Reported enrolled; signed by President; to House for signature of Speaker

    3/25/2026Senate

  6. Returned From House Passed; referred to enrolling

    3/24/2026Senate

  7. Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 70-0-0

    3/24/2026House

  8. Read second time; Filed for Third Reading

    3/23/2026House

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

    3/20/2026House

  10. Read First Time, Referred to Health & Welfare

    2/24/2026House

  11. Received from the Senate, Filed for First Reading

    2/24/2026House

  12. Read third time in full – PASSED - 34-0-1

    2/23/2026Senate

  13. Read second time; filed for Third Reading

    2/16/2026Senate

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

    2/13/2026Senate

  15. Reported Printed; referred to Health & Welfare

    2/9/2026Senate

  16. Introduced; read first time; referred to JR for Printing

    2/6/2026Senate

Bill Text

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