Senate committee advances bill to speed placement of surrendered newborns with licensed adoption agencies; tribes and advocates weigh in

Senators voted to send Senate Bill 1058 to the floor after hearing testimony that amendments to Idaho’s safe‑haven law would speed placement of surrendered newborns with licensed adoption agencies while preserving Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) notification requirements, supporters said.

Sen. Tammy Nichols, sponsor of the bill, told the Senate Health and Welfare Committee the measure would require the Department of Health and Welfare to keep a list of licensed adoption agencies and transfer custody of a surrendered infant to an agency within 24 hours unless the child requires further medical care. “This bill aims to place abandoned children quickly with families who are ready and waiting,” Nichols said, adding that the bill aligns with tribal concerns and…