RS 31987 sent to print would move foster-care licensing rules into statute and replace firearm storage rule with education

Senator Brandon Shippey introduced RS 31987, a request-to-print that would move portions of the Idaho Administrative Procedure Act related to foster-care licensing into statute and incorporate those provisions into the Child Care Licensing Reform Act.

Shippey said the change returns regulatory authority to the Legislature for certain licensing provisions and does not have an anticipated fiscal impact. He told the committee he raised a specific concern about an existing rule that requires foster parents to keep firearms and ammunition locked in separate locations, which he said discourages some potential foster providers.

To address safety without the prescriptive storage requirement, Shippey said the Department of Health and Welfare will create an educational video on firearm safety to be included in foster-provider orientation. He characterized the measure as preserving child safety while reducing what he described as an undue barrier to recruiting foster parents.

Senator Wintrow asked for clarification on how the sponsor and department would reduce firearm accessibility to children without imposing detailed regulatory storage requirements. Shippey responded that specific storage mandates raise legal and enforcement issues, that the department places trust in foster parents and does not inspect daily compliance, and that education targeted to different age groups and behavioral situations would be a more practical approach.

Senator Blaylock moved to send RS 31987 to print; Senator Keiser seconded the motion. The committee approved the request-to-print by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

The request-to-print will be drafted into bill language and return to committee for a hearing where members will review statutory text, department implementation plans, and any public testimony.