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Committee backs resolution to let Idaho accept adoption‑related federal grant language
Summary
The committee approved Senate Concurrent Resolution 105 to direct Idaho officials to pursue federal grants that explicitly allow funds for adoption education and birth‑mother supports, sending the resolution to the floor with a due‑pass recommendation.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 105, introduced by Senator Julie Van Orden, was sent to the House floor with a due‑pass recommendation after committee debate on Monday.
Senator Julie Van Orden told the House Health and Welfare Committee the resolution does not seek federal funds directly but asks that, if federal family‑health or family‑planning grants are made available, grant language permit Idaho to use those dollars for adoption education, birth‑mother support and adoption‑related costs. "We are not asking Congress to send us federal funds," Van Orden said. "We are asking that if grants become available in the health and welfare space ... that those funds may be used for adoption expenses."
Testifying in support, Terry Marcroft, who identified himself as representing Unplanned Good, urged committee members to view adoption outreach and birth‑mother support as an avenue to increase adoption placements: "The key is to increasing that 1 percent is in building awareness about adoption as an option, and then taking much better care of the women, the brave women who choose life and then choose parents for their babies," Marcroft said.
Representatives offered competing procedural motions. Representative Redmond moved to send SCR 105 to the floor with a due‑pass recommendation; Representative Levitt moved to hold the resolution, arguing that nonprofit organizations could address adoption supports without relying on federal grant funding. Committee members split on those policy and fiscal concerns, with some arguing federal funds could be an efficient way to expand supports and others warning about increasing reliance on federal dollars.
The committee ultimately approved SCR 105 for the floor. The final disposition was recorded as a due‑pass recommendation and the resolution will be considered by the full House.
The resolution would direct state agencies to seek or accept federal grant opportunities only if the grant terms permit use of funds for adoption education, birth‑mother support and associated adoption costs; it does not itself appropriate funds or change state statute.
