APPROPRIATIONS – HEALTH AND WELFARE – EARLY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT, YOUTH SAFETY AND PERMANENCY, AND FAMILY AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS – Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

This bill directs the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to receive additional funding for its Early Learning and Development, Youth Safety and Permanency, and Family and Community Partnerships divisions for the 2026 and 2027 fiscal years. The legislation allocates specific dollar amounts to support personnel, operating expenses, and grants, while also authorizing three new full-time equivalent positions within the Early Learning and Development division. Furthermore, the law requires the department to submit a report on the outcomes and financial return of the Idaho Home Visiting Program by the end of 2026. Finally, it grants the department flexibility to transfer funds between certain programs and exempt specific divisions from usual spending restrictions to better manage their budgets.