Bill > H0111

This bill requires the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to add photographic identification to electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards, which are used for federal food stamp program benefits, by January 1, 2026. The department must add photos to all new cards and develop a strategy to replace existing cards without photos within 18 months. To minimize implementation costs, the department will coordinate with the Idaho Transportation Department to potentially use existing digital images. The bill includes several important exceptions where photo requirements do not apply without consent, such as households with no adults, households where all adults are 60 or older, households with blind or disabled members, households with domestic violence victims, or households with religious objections to photography. Additionally, if a household requests more than three replacement cards within 12 months, the department will refer the household for investigation. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with an emergency clause emphasizing its immediate importance.

Health and Social Services

Health and Welfare Committee (H)

https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2025/legislation/H0111/