Committee sends RS31946 to print to limit administrative burden on residential treatment facilities caring for foster youth

Sen. Melissa Wintrow asked the Senate Health and Welfare Committee to send RS31946 to print; the measure would amend last session’s statute to clarify review timeframes for placements of foster children and reduce administrative burden on residential treatment facilities.

Wintrow, a sponsor of the prior law, said the previous statute was aimed at preventing placements of foster children in short‑term rentals such as Airbnbs and required case review by the department director. She told the committee that as enacted the statute unintentionally swept in residential treatment programs that serve children with complex needs, creating excessive administrative work that interfered with care.

"We are swimming with administrative burden on these cases, exceeding even what the federal government would require, and it's taken away from the care of those kids," Wintrow said.

Wintrow said she conferred with Department staff (Monty Pro), Idaho Voices for Children and other stakeholders and that RS31946 delineates a 14‑day review period for short‑term placements and allows a 90‑day review for residential treatment placements. Senator Bjerke moved to send RS31946 to print; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

The motion to print advances the request statute for formal introduction and a future committee hearing; no final statutory change or department rule was adopted at this meeting.