Bill > H0135

This bill amends two sections of Idaho law to modify requirements for verifying lawful presence when individuals apply for public benefits. Specifically, the bill removes several existing verification requirements and exceptions related to accessing public benefits. The changes eliminate the need to verify lawful presence for many types of services, including prenatal and postnatal care, food assistance for dependent children, public health immunizations, and certain community-level in-kind services. The bill also removes language that previously allowed exemptions for benefits where lawful presence was not legally required. Instead, the bill maintains verification requirements only for a narrower set of circumstances, such as emergency medical treatments not related to organ transplants, short-term disaster relief, and services at short-term shelters. The legislation appears aimed at reducing bureaucratic barriers for individuals seeking public assistance, with an effective date of July 1, 2025. The bill requires agencies to verify lawful presence using methods like government-issued identification, immigration documents, or the federal Systematic Alien Verification of Entitlement (SAVE) program, but significantly streamlines these processes compared to the previous legal framework.

Health and Social Services

Health and Welfare Committee (H)

https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2025/legislation/H0135/