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Senate committee advances bill moving foster-home rules into statute, removes separate firearms-location requirement
Summary
Senate Bill 1034, which transfers foster-home licensing rules into statute and removes a prior requirement that firearms and ammunition be locked in separate locations, was sent to the Senate floor with a "do pass" recommendation after committee debate about safe storage and training.
The Idaho Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted to send Senate Bill 1034 to the Senate floor with a “do pass” (recorded in the transcript as “due pass”) recommendation after debate about firearms access in foster homes.
Senate Bill 1034, introduced in committee by Senator Brandon Shippey (R.-District 9), would repeal administrative rule sections 230, 232 and 233 governing foster-care licensing and move the substantive requirements into statute. Shippey said the provisions in the proposed statute reflect longstanding licensing standards — for example, homes must have a toilet, sink and warm water — but that the bill removes a prior rule requiring that firearms and ammunition be locked in two separate locations.
Shippey said the department plans to produce an educational video on firearm safety as part of foster-care orientation, and he said training and trusting relationships between licensors and providers are better tools than the prior requirement. “We really feel like it's probably a better approach anyway because previously there was no gun safety education,” Shippey said.
Senator Wintrow opposed moving forward, arguing research shows safe storage prevents unintentional firearm deaths among children and urging the committee to retain a clear statutory or rule requirement for locked firearms. Wintrow cited data from the National Violent Death Reporting System and said safe storage is the best way to prevent accidental firearm deaths among children. She stated she would vote no on the committee measure.
Senator Harris moved to send the bill to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation; Senator Blaylock seconded the motion. A substitute motion by Senator Puntro to send the bill to the fourteenth order for possible amendments failed for lack of a second. After discussion the committee approved the motion to advance the bill; at least one senator, Wintrow, announced she would vote no.
Shippey said he supports advising foster parents to secure firearms and described circumstances — for example, placements of older youth with behavioral issues — where locking firearms would be advisable. He said he disagrees with a rule that required firearms and ammunition to be stored in separate locations, calling that provision “an odd requirement.” The department, he said, supports replacing that rule with guidance and education incorporated into licensing orientation.
No public testimony was recorded for the bill in the committee hearing. Committee members also discussed that other existing licensing provisions require keeping hazardous materials out of children's reach, and several senators said safe storage of firearms could be considered part of that general requirement.
The bill will proceed to the Senate floor with the committee’s recommendation; the committee did not record a roll-call tally with names for every vote in the transcript. The committee also scheduled an informational presentation by Your Health Idaho at its next meeting.
