Idaho's SCR 104 is a concurrent resolution expressing the legislature's support for the Nuremberg Code, a foundational 1947 ethical framework for medical research. It affirms the Code's principles - like voluntary consent and participant safety - as essential for research in Idaho, while recognizing complementary guidelines (e.g., the Declaration of Helsinki). The resolution urges medical and research institutions in Idaho to follow these ethical standards and encourages education on them, but it does not create new laws or regulations. As a procedural resolution, it has no binding legal effect and primarily serves as a statement of legislative commitment.
HJR 2 proposes repealing Idaho's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage (Section 28, Article III) by submitting the change to voters. If approved, it would remove the prohibition, allowing same-sex couples to marry in Idaho. The bill directs the Secretary of State to publish the amendment and arguments for voter consideration at the next general election. This procedural resolution has been introduced but not yet voted on by the legislature.
Idaho's H 145 amends laws to strengthen the "Dig Once Policy" for broadband infrastructure installation. It requires highway departments and county road districts to maintain an annual registry of broadband providers and notify them 30 days in advance of road projects that could include broadband installation during construction. The bill defines key terms like "broadband" (100 Mbps download speed) and "Dig Once Policy" (minimizing repeated road excavations), and mandates coordination to avoid redundant digging during highway work. This directly affects broadband providers, highway agencies, and contractors by streamlining infrastructure deployment in public rights-of-way.
H 139 amends Idaho's absentee voting laws to clarify who qualifies for an absentee ballot and how applications are processed. It updates the list of valid reasons for absentee voting (including military service, illness, work, religious missions, and living outside one's home county) and prohibits voters or officials from misrepresenting eligibility. The bill requires voters to request absentee ballot applications directly (no automatic mailing), mandates applications be completed by the voter (not pre-filled), and adds rules for unaffiliated voters in primary elections who must specify a party's ballot or receive a nonpartisan one. These changes directly affect Idaho registered voters seeking absentee ballots and county clerks handling applications.
S 1050 requires prospective adoptive parents to provide birth parents with free legal advice and counseling services at the adoptive parents' expense. The bill mandates at least three pre-placement counseling sessions and six post-placement counseling sessions, to be provided by licensed counselors chosen by the birth parents. It also requires adoptive parents to notify birth parents of these rights when seeking financial assistance exceeding $2,000. This directly affects birth parents in adoption cases and prospective adoptive parents who must cover these costs. The bill clarifies that these counseling services and related expenses are considered charitable gifts, not subject to recovery under certain laws.
H 118 repeals Idaho's existing law (Chapter 56, Title 54, Idaho Code) that regulated genetic counselors. This bill directly affects genetic counselors practicing in Idaho by removing their current legal framework and licensing requirements. The repeal takes effect on July 1, 2025, eliminating the state's specific regulatory provisions for this profession.
Idaho's H 140 bill repeals existing daylight saving time rules and creates two new exemptions: one for the Mountain Time Zone portion of Idaho (most of the state) and another for the Pacific Time Zone portion (a small western area). The bill directly affects Idaho residents in these regions by exempting them from changing clocks twice yearly for daylight saving time. Key provisions require Idaho to follow any future federal law mandating permanent daylight saving time, while the state will otherwise remain on permanent standard time. This policy change aims to eliminate the biannual clock shifts that the legislature cites as disruptive to health, safety, and daily routines.
H 115 amends Idaho's worker's compensation law (Section 72-433) to update medical examination rules for injured workers. It requires employers to reimburse travel expenses for medical exams at the state employee mileage rate, excluding the first 15 miles of any round trip (or trips under 15 miles total). The bill also clarifies that injured workers can have their own physician present during exams, may record exams via audio (with video requiring consent), and must be reimbursed for travel to approved rehabilitation facilities. These changes apply to Idaho workers injured on the job and take effect July 1, 2025.
This bill repeals Idaho's existing law governing certified shorthand reporters (Chapter 31, Title 54, Idaho Code). It removes the legal requirements and regulations currently applied to individuals certified as shorthand reporters within the state. The repeal takes effect on July 1, 2025, and is declared an emergency. This change directly affects certified shorthand reporters in Idaho by eliminating the specific statutory framework that previously governed their certification and practice.
Idaho's H 126 amends criminal history record laws to expand eligibility for shielding records from public disclosure. It allows people convicted of certain non-violent misdemeanors (excluding assaultive offenses) or specific drug possession felonies to petition courts after completing their sentences, including probation, fines, and restitution, provided they have no recent convictions or pending cases. If approved, courts order records shielded from public view and notify law enforcement to make fingerprint records unavailable. The bill also adds language for courts to collect fees, fines, and restitution owed to the court. This affects individuals seeking to limit public access to their criminal history for qualifying offenses.
Idaho's H 137 amends state law to classify mifepristone and misoprostol as Schedule IV controlled substances under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. This change directly affects healthcare providers, pharmacies, and patients in Idaho who currently access these medications, which are used for medical abortion and other reproductive health treatments. The bill adds the drugs explicitly to Schedule IV, which regulates substances with lower abuse potential but still requiring medical oversight. The law will take effect on July 1, 2025, requiring compliance with Schedule IV prescribing and dispensing rules.
H 132 would allow Idaho to join a national dietitian licensure compact, enabling Idaho-licensed dietitians to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses in each. The compact establishes uniform requirements for dietitians (such as education, exams, and continuing education) and requires member states to share disciplinary information to protect public health. This would reduce administrative burdens for dietitians, improve access to nutrition services across state lines, and specifically support military families relocating between states. Idaho would retain full authority to regulate dietitians within its borders under the compact, ensuring local standards for public safety are maintained.
