This Idaho bill (H 578) requires legislative approval for a Medicaid state plan amendment to provide transition services for juveniles in custody. It directly affects incarcerated juveniles within 30 days of release from correctional facilities after a court hearing, ensuring they receive medical/dental screenings and case management referrals. Key provisions mandate that these services - screenings meeting medical standards and referrals to local care - must be included in a state plan submitted by July 2026, with services starting no earlier than July 2027. The bill also specifies that services must align with federal Medicaid requirements and depend on annual legislative funding.
H 574 repeals Idaho's existing immunization laws and establishes new rules to prevent local governments and schools from requiring medical interventions like vaccines. It prohibits political subdivisions (counties, cities) and schools from mandating medical procedures or restricting access to facilities based on a person's refusal of such interventions. The bill also creates a voluntary immunization registry managed by the Department of Health, allowing parents to opt out of participation and providing access to their child's immunization records without requiring mandates. These changes directly affect schools, daycare centers, and parents making healthcare decisions for their children.
Idaho's H 572, the "Pediatric Secretive Transitions Parental Rights Act," prohibits healthcare providers, schools, and child care entities from facilitating a minor's medical or social gender transition without parental consent. It defines "sex transition procedures" to include puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgery (excluding medically necessary treatments for intersex conditions), while "social transition" covers nonmedical changes like name or pronoun use. Covered entities must inform parents about a child's interest in transition and obtain their written consent before facilitating any transition. Violations allow parents to sue for $50,000+ in statutory damages, injunctive relief, or attorney fees, and the state attorney general can seek additional penalties. The bill applies to children under 18 who are not married or emancipated.
This bill (H 493) revises penalties for soliciting commercial sexual activity in Idaho. It directly affects individuals who pay, offer to pay, or arrange for others to engage in sexual contact for compensation. Key provisions set mandatory minimum jail terms: 5 days for those aged 18-20 (first offense, misdemeanor), increasing to 6 months for those 21+ (always a felony). The bill also specifies that courts cannot suspend or reduce these minimum sentences and takes effect on July 1, 2026.
SJM 106 is a joint memorial (not a bill) passed by the Idaho Legislature. It requests the federal government protect Idaho livestock owners who report wildlife depredation (like wolf or bear attacks) by prohibiting the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management from modifying or revoking grazing permits based on such reports. The memorial addresses concerns that ranchers avoid reporting attacks due to fear of federal retaliation, which undermines state compensation efforts. It directly affects Idaho livestock permit holders and seeks to align federal grazing policies with state depredation claims processes.
H 564 revises Idaho's public school building plan review process, directly affecting school districts, local governments, and building code examiners. School districts can now choose between local government or the state division of occupational and professional licenses to review building plans, with local reviewers required to hold specific certifications (e.g., ICC for structural plans). The bill sets maximum fees for reviews, mandates a 30-day review timeline, and clarifies that plans will no longer be reviewed for local zoning requirements. It also specifies that reviews must cover structural, mechanical, electrical, and safety codes while excluding local planning and zoning compliance.
This Idaho bill (H 571) amends a misdemeanor law to specifically protect religious gatherings. It prohibits intentionally disrupting the solemn atmosphere of religious worship, meetings, or events - whether held at a place of worship or an off-site location - through actions like profane language, rude behavior, unnecessary noise, or obstruction. The law applies to anyone disturbing these gatherings, with violations classified as misdemeanors. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
This bill (H 565) removes three outdated Idaho Code sections related to wolf management from the Department of Fish and Game's legal framework. Specifically, it repeals provisions covering wolf transfers to other states (§36-116), state wolf management authority (§36-715), and associated penalties (§36-1120). The legislation streamlines Idaho law by eliminating obsolete requirements, as stated in the bill's intent to "ensure state laws are streamlined, up-to-date, and essential." This procedural change affects only the Department of Fish and Game's administrative code, with no new policy or funding created.
Idaho's S 1246 prohibits law enforcement officers from wearing face-concealing items like balaclavas or ski masks during routine duties, except for specific exceptions (e.g., medical masks, tactical gear, SWAT operations, or undercover assignments). It defines "facial covering" to exclude transparent shields, medical masks, helmets for safety, and gear needed for hazardous conditions. Violating this rule would be an infraction or misdemeanor, and officers who commit civil wrongs while violating the law could face $10,000+ in damages without legal immunity. The bill applies to all Idaho law enforcement officers (city, county, federal, or state agency personnel) during standard operations. It is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026.
This bill removes outdated education-related provisions from Idaho law. It repeals 16 specific sections of the Idaho Code covering obsolete requirements like school financial reporting, diploma programs (STEM, biliteracy, workforce readiness), building design standards, and funding mechanisms. The bill also amends two sections to eliminate outdated language, streamlining the legal framework for public education. These changes primarily affect state education administration by removing redundant rules, without altering current funding or program requirements for schools or students.
This bill (S 1238) requires the Idaho Fish and Game Commission to seek public input before setting hunting or fishing seasons and limits. Specifically, it mandates publishing proposed changes in the Idaho Administrative Bulletin and providing a minimum 30-day public comment period, except for emergency proclamations. The Commission must also notify the legislative services office and publish final rules in free brochures for public distribution. These changes apply to all regulations governing game animals, fish, birds, and other wildlife seasons or limits. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
H 554 amends Idaho's abatement district laws to revise mosquito and pest control regulations. It directly affects landowners in these districts by adding a new option: individual landowners can now submit a specific management plan to opt out of district abatement activities, provided they implement adequate control measures. The bill requires abatement districts to obtain annual written permission from landowners before entering or flying over their property for treatments, even during emergencies. It also clarifies that aerial spraying can only occur during declared emergencies and updates budget approval processes for district operations. These changes aim to balance public health needs with landowner rights.
