TallyIDAHOLegislative Tracker
S10582025 Regular SessionSigned into law

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the placement of an abandoned child.

IDAHO SAFE HAVEN ACT -- Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the placement of an abandoned child.

IntroducedIn CommitteeFloor VoteEnacted
▶ Show statement of purpose

This legislation amends Section 39-8202 of Idaho Code relating to the Safe Haven Act by defining terms and adding that the Department of Health and Welfare must maintain a list of licensed adoption agencies for placing abandoned children and transfer custody to a selected agency within 24 hours, unless exigent circumstances exist. If a child requires medical care and no adoptive family is found within 48 hours, the child remains in a hospital, and the court and prosecutor are notified for a shelter care hearing. If there is reason to believe the child is an Indian child, ICWA jurisdiction applies, and the department must send immediate notification to the child’s tribe or the Bureau of Indian Affairs, issuing all required notices within ten days.

▶ Show fiscal note

This legislation does not increase costs to the state general fund or impose any financial burden on state or local governments. The amendments primarily clarify existing procedures and streamline the placement of abandoned children without adding new financial obligations.

SOP revised: 03/11/2025, 2:11 PM

house Chamber· Mar 14, 2025

House Third Reading

✓ Passed
65 Yea
0 Nay
5 absentPassed by 65 votes
Republican
57 yea/0 nay
Democrat
8 yea/0 nay
Show all 65 voter names

Session Law Chapter 127 Effective: 07/01/2025