Idaho Senate committee advances bill requiring proof of legal presence for some state-funded benefits

An Idaho Senate committee voted to advance House Bill 135, a proposal from Rep. Phil Hart that would require adults to show proof of lawful presence before receiving certain state-funded public benefits, and sent the bill to the Senate floor with a "do pass" recommendation.

Hart, the bill sponsor, told the committee the measure "will withhold, some some public benefits from people who are here in the state of Idaho but cannot prove they're here legally," and said the bill preserves emergency exceptions: "This legislation does not take away benefits that might be necessary in an emergency situation." He said the Department of Health and Welfare would screen applicants during interviews and request documentation of lawful presence.

The bill prompted hours of testimony and questions from senators about which programs would be affected and how the changes would interact with federal law. Opponents — including nonprofit leaders, teachers, immigrant advocates and health-care and faith leaders — warned HB 135 would reduce access to food and health services for children and pregnant people and could conflict with federal program rules.

Craig Peterson…