Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes establishes additional protections for children 12 years of age or younger during childcare placements in the state of Idaho.

Highlights:

• Requires the department to file a notice when legal custody of a child is placed in the department and is either in short-term rental, temporary shelter care, or congregate care settings (Sec. 1). 

• Establish that the notice must be placed with the court within 7 days of the placement and must identify the type of placement and the date of placement (Sec.1). 

• Prohibits any child from the age of 12 years of age or younger from being placed in a short-term rental, temporary shelter care, or congregate care setting unless the director has granted written approval of placement (Sec. 1). 

• Establishes that written approval may only be given by the director considering the following (Sec. 1): 

• The child is 3 years of age or older and part of a sibling group placed in the same short-term rental;

• Temporary shelter care or congregate care setting and at least one of the members of the sibling group is 13 years of age or older;

• The sibling is six years of age or older and has been taken into shelter care through the emergency removal process; or 

• The child's teenage mother is placed in the same short-term rental temporary shelter. 

• Prohibits children who do not meet the eligibility requirements from being placed in a qualified residential treatment program or short-term rental for more than 2 weeks, except in documented emergencies (Sec. 1). 

• Establishes the effective date as July 1, 2024 (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text