Idaho legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Idaho H776: CHILD PROTECTION – Adds to existing law to provide for safety checks for children under one year of age.
Status: Signed into law, April 2, 2026
What the bill says
An act relating to newborn safety review; providing legislative intent; amending chapter 16, title 16, idaho code, by the addition of a new section 16-1650, idaho code, to establish provisions regarding newborn safety review; and declaring an emergency.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT RELATING TO NEWBORN SAFETY REVIEW; PROVIDING LEGISLATIVE INTENT; AMENDING CHAPTER 16, TITLE 16, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 16-1650, IDAHO CODE, TO ESTABLISH PROVISIONS REGARDING NEWBORN SAFETY REVIEW; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho: SECTION 1. LEGISLATIVE INTENT. It is the intent of the Legislature to protect infants and children from abuse, neglect, and sexual exploitation by requiring an expedited child protection safety review of children less than one year of age when parents, guardians, or legal custodians have a history of child abuse, sexual offenses, or prior termination of parental rights due to abuse or neglect. Infants are uniquely vulnerable and may suffer irreparable harm when safety concerns are not identified and addressed immediately. It is the intent of the Legislature to ensure timely safety verification and appropriate planning for children born into high-risk circumstances. SECTION 2. That Chapter 16, Title 16, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby amended by the addition thereto of a NEW SECTION, to be known and designated as Section 16-1650, Idaho Code, and to read as follows: 16-1650. NEWBORN SAFETY REVIEW. (1) Any report made to the department by a mandatory reporter pursuant to section 16-1605, Idaho Code, alleging a parent, guardian, or legal custodian is a …
Sponsors
- Committee, Health And Welfare · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Reported Signed by Governor on April 2, 2026 Session Law Chapter 276 Effective: 04/02/2026
- : Delivered to Governor at 12:50 p.m. on April 1, 2026
- : Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to Governor
- : Signed by President; returned to House
- : Received from the House enrolled/signed by Speaker
- : Reported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to Senate
- : Returned from Senate Passed; to JRA for Enrolling
- : Read third time in full – PASSED - 27-8-0AYES – Adams, Bernt, Bjerke(Bjerke), Blaylock, Burtenshaw, Carlson, Cook, Den Hartog, Galloway, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Lakey, Lent, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Rabe, Ricks, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Shippy, Taylor, Toews, VanOrden, Ward-Engelking, Wintrow, WoodwardNAYS – Anthon, Foreman, Hart, Keyser, Kohl, Lenney, Zito, ZuiderveldAbsent and excused – NoneFloor Sponsor - NicholsTitle apvd - to House
- : Read second time; filed for Third Reading
- : Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
Votes
- Read third time in full (March 30, 2026): 27 yea, 8 nay, passed
- Third Reading Rules Suspended: Ayes 66 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 4, read in full as required (March 18, 2026): 49 yea, 18 nay, passed
Subjects: CHILD PROTECTION
Common questions
- What is H776?
- H776 is a bill in the Idaho Legislature (2026 Regular Session): CHILD PROTECTION – Adds to existing law to provide for safety checks for children under one year of age.
- What does H776 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to newborn safety review; providing legislative intent; amending chapter 16, title 16, idaho code, by the addition of a new section 16-1650, idaho code, to establish provisions regarding newborn safety review; and declaring an emergency.
- What is the status of H776?
- Signed into law as of April 2, 2026. Latest action: Reported Signed by Governor on April 2, 2026 Session Law Chapter 276 Effective: 04/02/2026 (April 2, 2026).
- Who sponsored H776?
- Committee, Health And Welfare.
- Where is the official record for H776?
- On the Idaho Legislature website: https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2026/legislation/H0776
Source: official Idaho record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.