Committee advances bill to speed placement of surrendered newborns, adds tribal‑notification steps

Summary

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee advanced Senate Bill 10‑58 to the floor with a due‑pass recommendation. The bill would speed placement of newborns surrendered under Idaho's Safe Haven law by directing the Department of Health and Welfare to work with licensed adoption agencies and to notify tribes as required by the Indian Child Welfare Act.

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted to send Senate Bill 10‑58 to the Senate floor with a due‑pass recommendation after testimony from the bill sponsor, adoption agencies, tribal representatives and an adoptive parent.

Senator Tammy Nichols, sponsor of SB 10‑58, told the committee the bill updates Idaho’s Safe Haven laws to improve the process for placing newborns who are anonymously surrendered. Under current law a parent may surrender a newborn up to 30 days old at specified locations. Nichols said the bill directs the Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) to maintain a list of licensed adoption agencies and generally requires that custody be transferred to a selective adoption agency within 24 hours of a surrender unless the child requires medical care.

"This bill does not increase any cost in the state's general fund or impose additional financial burden on state or local governments," Nichols…

Committee advances bill to speed placement of surrendered newborns, adds tribal‑notification steps

Summary

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