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Committee introduces changes to Idaho Safe Haven Act to speed placement and trigger tribal notice for Indian children
Summary
Senator Tammy Nichols presented RS 32140 to the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, proposing changes to Idaho's Safe Haven Act to speed placement and require tribal notice where an Indian child may be involved; the committee voted to send the measure to print.
The Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted to send RS 32140, an update to Idaho's Safe Haven Act, to print. Sponsor Senator Tammy Nichols said the proposal would streamline placement of infants left at approved safe‑haven locations by requiring the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to maintain a list of licensed adoption agencies and to transfer custody to a selected agency within 24 hours unless there are urgent medical circumstances.
"This legislation amends section 39‑8202 of the Idaho Code updating the Safe Haven Act to include new definitions and provisions," Senator Nichols told the committee. She said the department would be required to keep a list of licensed adoption agencies for placement of abandoned children and to ensure custody is transferred promptly.
Nichols said the bill includes special procedures when an Indian child is involved: if there is reason to believe the child is an Indian child, the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) would apply and the department must notify the child's tribe or the Bureau of Indian Affairs and issue required notices within 10 days. The sponsor also said the bill emphasizes collaboration with tribes on language and policy.
The sponsor told the committee the legislation is intended to place abandoned infants with vetted adoptive families quickly "thereby avoiding the need for the children to enter the foster care system." She also said the legislation would not increase state general fund costs.
Committee members asked follow‑up questions on current practice and data. Senator Harris asked what happens now; Senator Nichols responded, "Right now, they would go into the foster care system." Senator Wintrow asked about counts of safe‑haven boxes and whether children have been left in them; Nichols said she would include that information in a full hearing presentation.
Senator Keiser moved to send RS 32140 to print; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.
The committee did not hold a full hearing on the measure at this time; the sponsor said she would present additional data and implementation details at a later hearing or on the floor.
