This bill appropriates $35.6 million to Idaho's Department of Health and Welfare for public health services in fiscal year 2027, while simultaneously reducing funding for laboratory services and health care policy initiatives. It also decreases the number of authorized full-time equivalent positions by three and mandates several reports on program outcomes, vaccine utilization, and immigration status for HIV prevention services. Although the bill was signed by the President, the Governor exercised a line-item veto on the section reducing funds for the Health Care Policy Initiatives Program.
This bill appropriates state and federal funds to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and the State Independent Living Council for fiscal year 2027, covering programs like Medicaid, child welfare, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment. It establishes specific funding amounts for various divisions including youth safety, early learning, family partnerships, and benefit payments, while also limiting the number of authorized full-time equivalent positions. The legislation includes requirements for program integrity, monthly Medicaid tracking reports, and cost-sharing for certain services, and directs how specific funds must be used for initiatives like smoking cessation, opioid response, and rural physician incentives.
This concurrent resolution urges Idaho voters to reject the Idaho Medical Cannabis Act if it appears on the November 2026 ballot. The bill does not change any laws or create new programs; instead, it serves as a formal statement from the legislature expressing opposition to medical marijuana legalization. The resolution cites concerns about potential health risks, environmental damage, increased crime, and significant state budget costs associated with implementing a medical cannabis program. It also notes that the proposed act would allow home delivery of marijuana and does not require a doctor's prescription, which the legislature argues could lead to widespread recreational use.
This bill establishes the Merit-Based Health Care Act in Idaho, which requires health care providers participating in Medicaid to base employment and contracting decisions on individual merit and professional qualifications rather than ideological or discriminatory practices. The law specifically prohibits the use of state Medicaid funds to support diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, bias training, or other policies that consider race or sex in hiring, promotion, or compensation decisions. Providers must comply with these requirements as a condition of their Medicaid agreements, and violations can result in civil penalties ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 depending on the size of the organization and the number of violations. The bill also includes a limited private right of action allowing health care professionals to sue if they face retaliation for refusing to participate in prohibited DEI conduct.
This bill clarifies that Idaho chiropractors with clinical nutrition certification may prescribe specific non-controlled medications, including certain vitamins (A, B complex, C), minerals (calcium, magnesium, zinc), fluids (saline, dextrose), epinephrine, and oxygen for emergencies. It specifies these drugs must be obtained from licensed sources and administered via approved routes, while prohibiting chiropractors from compounding vitamins/minerals themselves. The law directly affects certified chiropractors in Idaho, allowing them to prescribe these items during practice without altering existing non-prescription supplement use. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, after passing unanimously in the Idaho Senate.
S 1313 creates a voluntary licensure pathway for pharmacists in Idaho to become naturopathic doctors by requiring them to complete a 160-credit-hour naturopathic program and pass a competency exam, while maintaining their existing pharmacy license. The bill amends Idaho Code to include pharmacists in the definition of "licensed naturopathic doctor" and updates committee structures to reflect this new option, including adding a pharmacist to the formulary committee. The law will take effect on July 1, 2026.
This bill, known as the Idaho Parental Rights Act, establishes and protects parents' fundamental right to make medical decisions for their minor children. It requires health care providers and government entities to obtain parental consent before providing nonemergency medical services to children under 18, with limited exceptions for emergencies or when parents have given blanket written consent. The law also creates a legal mechanism allowing parents to sue state or local governments if their parental rights are violated, and if they win, they can recover attorney fees and costs. Additionally, the bill repeals previous laws that allowed minors to consent to certain medical treatments without parental permission and removes confidentiality protections that might prevent parents from accessing their children's medical information.
This bill appropriates $35.7 million to Idaho's Department of Health and Welfare for public health services in fiscal year 2027, while reducing the budget for laboratory services by $78,400 and cutting three full-time equivalent positions. The funding covers physical health services, immunization programs, and disease prevention efforts including suicide prevention, HIV surveillance, and hepatitis monitoring. The legislation requires the department to submit annual reports by December 31, 2026, detailing outcomes and return on investment for these programs. The bill also mandates a specific report on vaccine utilization rates and cost savings from the Immunization Assessment Fund.
This bill expands exemptions for newborn health screenings in Idaho. It allows parents or guardians to opt out based on religious, philosophical, or conscientious beliefs (previously only religious objections were permitted), or by providing a physician's certification that screenings would endanger the child's health. The change directly affects parents seeking exemptions for infants' required screenings under current law. It takes effect July 1, 2026, after passing unanimously in the Idaho Senate.
H 591 repeals Idaho Code Section 31-3502, which previously defined eligibility criteria for financial assistance programs. This change directly affects individuals seeking state financial aid who would have been evaluated under the repealed law. The bill removes the existing eligibility rules but does not establish new requirements or programs. It takes effect on July 1, 2026, as declared an emergency.
