Idaho Bills

Adds to existing law to provide for restoration of lost parenting time.

RS33668 / H0859 This bill creates a new section in Idaho's child custody laws requiring courts to promptly restore a parent's lost or restricted parenting time when allegations of abuse (that led to custody restrictions, suspension, or supervision) are later adjudicated and found unsubstantiated or not proven by clear and convincing evidence.

Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to revise provisions regarding Idaho child custody laws.

This bill revises Idaho’s child custody laws to strengthen protections for fundamental parental rights and establish a presumption that substantially equal parenting time is in a child’s best interest unless rebutted by clear and convincing evidence of substantial harm. It requires courts to hold evidentiary hearings and issue detailed written findings before restricting a parent’s custody or parenting time, and it limits the use and duration of temporary, ex parte, or supervised visitation orders without proper findings. The bill creates structured “restoration plans” to ensure that any restricted parenting time is automatically returned once specific, objective conditions are met, and it mandates compensatory time when parenting time is wrongfully denied. It provides both parents equal access to their child’s medical, educational, and other records regardless of custodial status, and clarifies standards for abuse investigations and the role of court-appointed professionals. Additionally, it defines key custody-related terms, establishes remedies for violations of the statutory protections, and updates related code sections to align with the new framework.

Amends and adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding transfer of control of certain hospitals.

RS33610 / H0853 In 2022, the Idaho Legislature passed Idaho Code Section 39-1359, allowing the conveyance of hospital district property to nonprofit entities. That law resulted in the transformation, rather than a traditional conveyance (i.e. sale), of at least one district hospital into a nonprofit corporation. This bill creates side rails on a hospital so conveyed wherein any transfer of the hospital to another entity must be approved, after notice to and review by the attorney general, which results in approval therefrom.

Amends and adds to existing law to provide for state-certified private inspections.

RS33578 / S1415 This legislation modernizes Idaho's inspection system for electrical, plumbing, and Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) work by transitioning from a state-run inspection model to a system utilizing state certified private inspectors. Beginning October 1, 2026, the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) will implement a certification program for private inspectors. During a transition period ending June 30, 2030, inspections may be performed by either state inspectors or certified private inspectors. On and after July 1, 2030, inspections will no longer be performed by the state and will instead be conducted by certified private inspectors or local jurisdictions that choose to provide inspection services. The legislation: • Maintains all existing state and local building, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC codes; • Allows local jurisdictions to continue performing inspections or utilize certified private inspectors; • Prohibits conflicts of interest in inspections; • Directs DOPL to maintain a public registry of certified inspectors; • Provides a structured transition period to ensure continuity of inspection services. The purpose of this legislation is to improve efficiency, increase inspection availability, and allow the private sector to meet demand while maintaining public safety standards.

Amends existing law to provide for the Medical Education Fund and to provide for certain funding.

RS33762 / S1420 Clarifies the name of the Medical Education Fund and provide for funds to be added from the tax on health insurance premiums.

Amends existing law to revise the definition of “first responder” as it relates to psychological accidents and injuries.

RS33773 / S1425 This legislation serves to amend section 72-451 of Idaho Code, relating to workers' compensation, regarding psychological accidents and injuries. This legislation aims to grant the occupational role of a coroner workers’ compensation under the “first responder” classification.

Amends existing law to provide for an exception for licensed dealers in Idaho for a manufacturer or distributor with a manufacturer-owned or distributor-owned dealership.

RS33775 / S1424 The purpose of this legislation is to update and clarify Idaho’s motor vehicle franchise and dealer laws to reflect evolving market practices, in the world-wide industry. This legislation will prohibit the direct sale of vehicles from manufacturers without the use of a franchise that have not started this process prior to January 1, 2026. This legislation is to protect Idahoans, Idaho businesses, Americans, and American Industry from harmful manufacturers, including foreign manufacturers, from unfair and predatory behavior.

Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding material harmful to minors.

In 2024 the Idaho Legislature passed, H710- The Children’s and Library Protection Act. This proposed amendment responds to the Ninth Circuit’s opinion, as well as a recent decision from the U.S. Supreme Court addressing Texas’s age-verification law for pornographic websites. The proposed amendment recognizes that the State of Idaho has more latitude to select the content of educational materials in public schools and libraries than in private schools. In public schools and public libraries, the State of Idaho is exercising its own First Amendment rights through its selection of curriculum and library materials. Those choices constitute “government speech.”

States findings of the Senate and provides that all temporary and pending rules of the Idaho State Police, Idaho Public Safety Communications Commission, Idaho Public Utilities Commission, Secretary of State, Idaho Department of Administration, and Idaho State Lottery have been reviewed and approved by the Senate State Affairs Committee.

This Senate Resolution shows the Senate State Affairs Committee reviewed and approved all temporary and pending rules of the Idaho State Police, Idaho Public Safety Communications Commission, Idaho Public Utilities Commission, Secretary of State Idaho Department of Administration , and Idaho State Lottery.

States findings of the Legislature and supports wildlife crossings.

This Joint Memorial codifies the need for the Idaho Legislature, Idaho’s Congressional delegation, Idaho’s Governor and the Directors of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and Idaho Transportation Department to recognize and support the development and implementation of wildlife crossings as a means of improving public safety and the conservation of big game migration corridors. It is also the intention that the Idaho Legislature encourage state and local governments to engage with local stakeholders to develop policies that align with public safety, big game conservation, preserving and protecting the landscape, connectivity, and critical migration corridors that would serve as priority locations for wildlife crossings ultimately designed to benefit Idaho citizens and it’s abundant wildlife populations.