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Senate committee backs resolution saying Idaho will accept federal funds for adoption education, birth-mother support
Summary
The Idaho Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted to send a concurrent resolution to print that states the legislaturesupports accepting federal funds for adoption education and birth-mother support if such funds become available; sponsors said the move is preparatory and not a binding appropriation.
The Idaho Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted to send a concurrent resolution to print that expresses the legislature's support for receiving federal funds aimed at adoption education and improved birth-mother support, Senator Julie Van Orden told the panel.
The resolution, RS32271, was presented by Senator Julie Van Orden (R-30) and accompanied by Terry Markcroft, executive director of the nonprofit Unplanned Good, who described national efforts to expand adoption education and support services. Van Orden said the measure would signal that Idaho is prepared to accept federal grants for "adoption education, adoption awareness, and the improvement and expansion of birth mother support and care" should the federal language be changed to allow those funds to be used in the ways Idaho advocates want.
The resolution does not appropriate money or change state law; proponents described it as a preparatory step so state agencies would be able to apply for funds if and when federal grant terms were revised. "If those [federal] monies are available, we would like to be ready to receive those monies into the state to help these young birth mothers," Van Orden said.
Committee members asked about potential federal "strings attached." Terry Markcroft said the national groups working on the initiative intend to advocate within the Department of Health and Human Services to shape grant language toward adoption education and birth-mother care, which she said would reduce unintended requirements. Senator Shawn Wintrow said she supported medical, legal and counseling support for birth mothers but expressed concern about not having the grant language and about balancing funding for prevention and contraception; she said she planned to register a no vote to reserve judgment pending more information.
Senator Steve Harris moved to introduce and send RS32271 to print; the motion passed on a voice vote. Senator Wintrow recorded a nay vote during the rollcall follow-up; no other recorded rollcall was requested.
Proponents said the resolution is intended to facilitate later grant applications by state agencies and to show legislative support for the concept; it does not itself change eligibility rules or appropriate funds.
