Bill > S1034

This bill establishes comprehensive health and safety requirements for foster homes licensed by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. The bill mandates specific standards for living spaces, including safe drinking water, functional kitchen and bathroom facilities, proper heating and cooling, and communication access. Foster homes must maintain clean, safe, and sanitary conditions, with specific requirements for hazardous material storage, pet safety, and pool and spa safety. The bill also requires multiple safety devices such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and emergency evacuation plans. Additionally, the bill introduces mandatory training for foster parents on topics including childhood trauma, child behavior management, legal responsibilities, first aid, gun safety, and maintaining connections between foster children and their parents. Foster parents must also adhere to specific sleeping arrangements, prohibiting co-sleeping with infants. The bill also nullifies certain existing administrative rules related to foster care licensing and goes into immediate effect upon passage, highlighting the urgency of establishing these new standards to ensure the safety and well-being of children in foster care.

Health and Social Services, Justice

Health and Welfare Committee (S)

https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2025/legislation/S1034/