This bill appropriates $35.6 million to Idaho's Department of Health and Welfare for public health services in fiscal year 2027, while simultaneously reducing funding for laboratory services and health care policy initiatives. It also decreases the number of authorized full-time equivalent positions by three and mandates several reports on program outcomes, vaccine utilization, and immigration status for HIV prevention services. Although the bill was signed by the President, the Governor exercised a line-item veto on the section reducing funds for the Health Care Policy Initiatives Program.
This bill, known as the Idaho Parental Rights Act, establishes and protects parents' fundamental right to make medical decisions for their minor children. It requires health care providers and government entities to obtain parental consent before providing nonemergency medical services to children under 18, with limited exceptions for emergencies or when parents have given blanket written consent. The law also creates a legal mechanism allowing parents to sue state or local governments if their parental rights are violated, and if they win, they can recover attorney fees and costs. Additionally, the bill repeals previous laws that allowed minors to consent to certain medical treatments without parental permission and removes confidentiality protections that might prevent parents from accessing their children's medical information.
This bill establishes new requirements for Medicaid eligibility in Idaho, affecting individuals aged 19 to 65 who are not pregnant, not receiving Social Security benefits, and not otherwise eligible for coverage. It mandates that the state verify applicants' work status, income, residency, identity, and immigration status through official documentation and third-party data sources rather than accepting self-attestation. The legislation requires the Department of Health and Welfare to verify compliance with work requirements quarterly and to receive regular data updates from state and federal agencies to monitor changes in recipients' circumstances. Additionally, the bill restricts exemptions from work requirements to specific medical conditions certified by healthcare professionals and prohibits managed care organizations from granting exemptions.
This bill removes Medicaid eligibility expansion provisions from Idaho law, affecting individuals who previously qualified for expanded Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act. The legislation repeals specific sections of the Idaho Code that allowed for broader Medicaid eligibility and established limits on legislative approval for such expansions. Key provisions include preventing individuals eligible for Medicaid or health insurance from receiving financial assistance under the expanded program as it existed on March 1, 2022, while allowing applications received through March 31, 2022, to be processed under the prior rules. The bill also directs that any funds saved by counties through these changes may be used for additional aid to public health districts, with the changes taking effect on January 1, 2028.
This concurrent resolution urges Idaho voters to reject the Idaho Medical Cannabis Act if it appears on the November 2026 ballot. The bill does not change any laws or create new programs; instead, it serves as a formal statement from the legislature expressing opposition to medical marijuana legalization. The resolution cites concerns about potential health risks, environmental damage, increased crime, and significant state budget costs associated with implementing a medical cannabis program. It also notes that the proposed act would allow home delivery of marijuana and does not require a doctor's prescription, which the legislature argues could lead to widespread recreational use.
This bill establishes state-level authority over medical intervention mandates in Idaho, preventing local governments and schools from requiring or restricting access to medical procedures like vaccines. It defines key terms such as "medical intervention" and "school" to clarify the scope of protections, while repealing existing immunization-related statutes. The law creates a voluntary registry for tracking children's immunization status and allows parents to opt their children out of the system, with strict rules on who can access the data. Additionally, the bill authorizes state attorneys to seek court injunctions against any local policies that violate these provisions and to recover legal fees in enforcement cases.
This bill establishes protections against "medical kidnapping," which it defines as the wrongful removal of children or vulnerable adults from their parents or guardians by law enforcement or social workers when a parent questions or denies medical intervention. The law grants parents final decision-making authority over their children's medical care and prohibits reporting or investigating parental choices as child abuse unless there is clear and convincing evidence of negligence or malicious intent. It also creates a private right of action for vulnerable adults who suffer medical kidnapping and requires medical facilities to respect parental wishes regarding treatment and the freedom to leave if mistreatment is suspected.
This bill appropriates $35.7 million to Idaho's Department of Health and Welfare for public health services in fiscal year 2027, while reducing the budget for laboratory services by $78,400 and cutting three full-time equivalent positions. The funding covers physical health services, immunization programs, and disease prevention efforts including suicide prevention, HIV surveillance, and hepatitis monitoring. The legislation requires the department to submit annual reports by December 31, 2026, detailing outcomes and return on investment for these programs. The bill also mandates a specific report on vaccine utilization rates and cost savings from the Immunization Assessment Fund.
This bill, H 864, would classify certain substances containing mitragynine as Schedule I controlled substances under Idaho law, meaning they would be treated as illegal drugs with no accepted medical use. The measure directly affects individuals who possess, distribute, or use these specific mitragynine-related compounds by subjecting them to the same legal restrictions as other Schedule I substances. Key provisions amend the existing Idaho Code to explicitly list mitragynine-containing substances alongside other controlled substances, requiring law enforcement and healthcare providers to follow strict regulations regarding these materials. The bill declares an emergency and sets an effective date for the changes, ensuring immediate legal enforcement once passed.
This bill establishes the Merit-Based Health Care Act in Idaho, which requires healthcare providers participating in Medicaid to make employment and contracting decisions based on merit and professional qualifications rather than ideological or discriminatory practices. The law defines specific prohibited actions, including the use of state Medicaid funds for diversity, equity, and inclusion training or policies that focus on race or sex-based preferences, while explicitly allowing compliance with federal civil rights laws and legitimate clinical training. Healthcare providers who violate these provisions could face civil penalties ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 depending on company size, and the attorney general can investigate complaints from health care professionals who claim retaliation for refusing to participate in prohibited DEI activities.
