Committee advances bill to speed placement of newborns surrendered under safe‑haven law, with tribal notification rules

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted to send Senate Bill 1058 to the floor with a do‑pass recommendation after hearing testimony from adoption agencies, tribal representatives and a foster/adoptive parent. Sponsor Senator Tammy Nichols said the bill updates Idaho’s safe‑haven law to speed placement of infants surrendered at licensed locations and to clarify Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) notifications.

Under the bill as presented, hospitals, fire stations or law enforcement personnel receiving a surrendered newborn would have procedures to transfer custody to a licensed adoption agency within 24 hours when an appropriate adoptive placement is ready. The bill requires immediate notification to a child's tribe or the Bureau of Indian Affairs if the child may be an Indian child and states that ICWA notices must be issued within 10 days. Senator Nichols said the changes aim to avoid unnecessary entries into foster…