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Committee backs resolution signaling state willingness to accept federal adoption-education funds
Summary
The committee voted to send a concurrent resolution to print expressing legislative support for receiving federal funds for adoption education and birth-mother support if federal language permits.
The Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted to send a concurrent resolution, RS32271, to print that would express the legislature’s support for the state receiving federal funds for adoption education, adoption awareness and expanded birth-mother support should federal grant language permit.
Senator Julie Van Orden, sponsor of the resolution, told the committee the measure reflects work by advocates who want federal grant language changed so Idaho could accept funds for services such as legal assistance and pre- and post-adoption counseling for birth mothers. Van Orden said she had consulted with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and national advocacy groups and that those groups are working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to revise grant language.
Terry Markcroft, identified in the committee record as founder and executive director of the nonprofit Unplanned Good, described her group’s work to promote adoption as an understood option and to expand birth-mother care. Markcroft said grant funds would be organized into four buckets with the two largest being adoption education and birth-mother care; other uses discussed included material, physical and legal supports and safe-haven baby boxes.
During committee discussion, Senator Zanderfeld expressed concern about federal funding coming with “strings attached.” Markcroft and Senator Van Orden said advocates and federal partners would seek grant language aligned to their goals and would attempt to avoid unwanted conditions.
Senator Wintrow said she supported services for new mothers but was not comfortable voting to advance the resolution without seeing the grant language and said she would vote no while she continued to research the details. Despite that, the committee voted to send RS32271 to print; the motion was moved by Senator Harris and seconded; the chair announced the motion passed by voice vote and noted one senator asked to be recorded as voting no.
