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RS 31987 would move foster licensing rules into statute and remove firearm storage mandate in favor of training
Summary
Sen. Brandon Shippey asked the committee to print RS 31987 to move portions of foster care licensing rules into statute, remove a rule requiring foster parents to store firearms and ammunition separately, and have the Department of Health and Welfare create a firearm-safety educational video as part of orientation.
Sen. Brandon Shippey presented RS 31987 to the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, saying the bill would eliminate sections of the Idaho Administrative Procedures Act related to foster care licensing and move key provisions into statute under the Child Care Licensing Reform Act.
Shippey said one specific issue addressed in the RS is a licensing requirement that had obliged foster parents to lock up firearms and ammunition in separate locations. He said that requirement discouraged some prospective foster parents and that the department will instead create an educational video on firearm safety to be included in licensing orientation. Shippey said the department supports the change and that the approach aims to safeguard children while avoiding regulation that might infringe on foster parents' Second Amendment rights.
Senator Melissa Wintrow asked how the bill would guard against storage choices that leave firearms accessible to children; Shippey said imposing specific storage regulations is legally and practically challenging when the department is not routinely in homes, so the department prefers education tailored to likely scenarios.
Senator Blaylock moved to send RS 31987 to print and Senator Keiser seconded; the committee approved the motion by voice vote.
Shippey said sponsors hope the change will help recruit foster parents who were deterred by the prior storage requirement. The committee printed the RS for introduction and scheduled further consideration at a hearing.
