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Idaho Senate passes bill clarifying when fingerprint background checks apply to counselors and therapists
Summary
Senate Bill 1018 passed the Idaho Senate on Jan. 31 to clarify that fingerprint‑based criminal history checks for counselor and therapist licensure are required only if the licensing division mandates them, aligning statutory language with recent administrative questions and prior legislation.
BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Senate passed Senate Bill 1018 on Jan. 31, a measure that amends licensing language to clarify when fingerprint‑based criminal history checks are required for counselors and therapists.
Senator Harris opened debate on the floor, saying the bill updates language in Idaho law to avoid implying that fingerprinting is mandatory in every instance. "This change does clarify that fingerprinting is not required in every instance unless the division and the legislature later determine that it is necessary," Harris said.
Harris told the Senate the bill is intended to answer administrative questions from licensees after the Interstate Counseling Compact did not pass during the 2024 session. She said the change does not affect rulemaking authority, licensing scopes of practice, discipline, supervision, or the state's general fund and federal funds.
On a roll call, the presiding officer announced the bill had passed the Senate by more than a majority; the journal entry records the Senate’s direction to transmit the bill to the other chamber.
The sponsor referenced prior related legislation, describing the bill as consistent with House Bill 490 from the prior year and noting an administrative statute citation read on the floor (transcript reference: "67 94 11"). The Senate took no floor amendments on third reading and recorded no dissenting votes during the proceedings as read aloud on the floor.
