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Committee introduces concurrent resolution backing federal funds for adoption education and birth-mother support
Summary
Sen. Julie Van Orden presented a concurrent resolution (RS32271) expressing the legislature's support for receiving federal grants for adoption education and expanded birth-mother services; the committee sent the resolution to print.
The Idaho Senate Health and Welfare Committee introduced a concurrent resolution, RS32271, expressing the legislature’s support for receiving federal funds to support adoption education, adoption awareness and expanded birth-mother care and services.
Sen. Julie Van Orden (R-District 30) presented the resolution and said the measure aims to position the state to receive federal grants that proponents say could fund legal expenses for birth mothers, pre- and post-placement counseling and other supports. "This resolution ... declares its support for the receiving of federal funds for adoption education, adoption awareness, and the improvement and expansion of birth mother support and care," Van Orden said during her presentation. She said national groups are working to seek language at the federal level that would make such funds available for the services she described.
Terry Markcroft, introduced herself to the committee as the founder and executive director of Unplanned Good and described advocacy to increase adoption education and birth-mother supports. Committee members asked whether taking federal funds could create "strings attached." Markcroft said the national organizations working on the initiative intend to advocate in federal Health and Human Services (HHS) processes for grant language that aligns with the groups' goals.
Some lawmakers expressed reservation. Senator Wintrow said she supports medical, legal and counseling services for birth mothers but was uncomfortable moving the resolution without seeing grant language and said she would likely vote no on the motion to print until she had more information. Senator Van Orden and supporters said the resolution would be a preparatory statement to allow state agencies to apply for grants should qualifying federal funds become available.
Senator Harris moved to introduce and send RS32271 to print; the committee approved the motion by voice vote with at least one recorded nay noted. The resolution will be printed and may be offered in the Legislature for further consideration.
