S 1419 Idaho Senate · 68th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session (2026)

IDAHO CHILD CARE PROGRAM – Amends and adds to existing law to establish the Idaho Child Care Program.

This bill creates the Idaho Child Care Program to help low-income families in Idaho afford child care for their children under 13, or older children with disabilities, while parents work, attend school, or participate in training. The program requires parents to meet specific work or education hour thresholds, such as at least 30 hours per week for one parent in a two-parent household, and sets income limits based on federal poverty guidelines and state median income estimates. It establishes rules for provider qualifications, program oversight, and eligibility redetermination every 12 months, while also defining intentional program violations and creating a waiting list system. The bill includes provisions for using federal and state funds to improve child care quality and capacity building, with an emergency declaration to expedite implementation.
Bill status failed 2 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Failed
Mar 2026
Governor
Introduced Mar 23, 2026 Last action Mar 26, 2026
Floor votes · Senate Mar 26, 2026

How they voted

1223
Failed · 1 other
Total votes 36
Mar 26, 2026
D Democratic6
6 Nay
100% Nay
R Republican30
12 Yea 17 Nay 1
56% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
5
Key actions
1
Committee
2
Mar 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
upper
Mar 26, 2026
Vote failed
Senate Vote: fail (12-23-1)
senate
Mar 24, 2026
Committee
Reported Printed; referred to Health & Welfare
upper
Mar 23, 2026
Introduced
Introduced; read first time; referred to JR for Printing
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.