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Sen. Cody Galloway seeks shorter review hearings, adjusted custody timeline in foster care bill
Summary
Sen. Cody Galloway introduced RS32351 to shorten judicial review intervals, adjust custody timeline thresholds, and authorize judges to consider foster-child bonds with caregivers; committee voted to send the request to print.
Senator Cody Galloway introduced RS32351 to the Health and Welfare Committee, saying the measure seeks to shorten timelines and add tools to help children find stable, long-term placements more quickly.
Galloway, who represents District 15, said the proposal amends the Child Protective Act. He described three principal changes: shortening the time between review hearings from six months to two months (sponsor cited specific page and line references), changing the custody timeline threshold from "15 of 22 months" to "12 of 22 months," and adding language to allow judges to weigh the bond a foster child has formed with a substitute caretaker when evaluating long-term placement.
Galloway said he worked with foster families, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and the Ada County Courthouse in developing the request and asked the committee to send RS32351 to print. Senator Keiser moved to send RS32351 to print; Senator Seiferfeld seconded. The motion carried by voice vote; the transcript does not show a roll-call tally.
The sponsor said the request is intended to help move children into permanent homes more quickly, either through reunification with biological parents or adoption. The committee did not debate specific statutory text or adopt amendments during this introduction session; detailed drafting and a formal hearing will follow.
