Idaho Bills

Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding background checks conducted by the Department of Health and Welfare.

This bill is brought to satisfy the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) so that Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) can continue to conduct background checks. For DHW to conduct background checks with the FBI: 1) a statute must exist as a result of legislative enactment; 2) require fingerprinting of applicants; 3) expressly or implicitly authorize the use of FBI records for screening of applicants; 4) to avoid overbreadth, identify the specific categories of licenses or employees falling with in the law’s purview; 5) not be against (federal) public policy; and 6) not authorize receipt use of confidential criminal history information to a private entity.

Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

RS33811 / S1433 This appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for the Division of Medicaid provides enhancements to the FY 2027 maintenance budget that include appropriations for the continuation of the 5-year MMIS procurement process (enhancement #4), the Estate Recovery program (enhancement #5), the Medicaid Program Integrity Unit (enhancement #6), appropriation to support the addition of a new contract staff in the Department of Administration (enhancement #21), adjustments to the Hospital Assessment Fund (including aligning funds pursuant to House Bill 345 of 2025 and the creation of a new budgeted program to track supplemental payments in enhancement #22), and population forecast adjustments.

Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for the Behavioral Health Services Division for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

RS33787 / S1429 This appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for the Divisions of Mental Health Services, Psychiatric Hospitalization, and Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention provides enhancements to the FY 2027 maintenance budget that include a budget-neutral fund adjustment for Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention (enhancement #24), a budget reduction to move appropriation to the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections for clinical staff (enhancement #7), the partial restoration of ongoing program funding that was made onetime in FY 2026 as well as appropriations for Idaho Behavioral Health Plan grant increases (enhancement #9), a partial, onetime restoration of ongoing budget rescissions for Mental Health Services (enhancement #30), a benefit cost fund shift for State Hospital South (enhancement #8), a fund adjustment for State Hospital North and South to account for the way that revenue is received through the Idaho Behavioral Health Plan (enhancement #23), replacement items (enhancement #58), a fund adjustment to shift General Fund burden to the State Hospital endowment funds (enhancement #59), and a Governor initiative to shift General Fund burden to the State-Directed Opioid Settlement for the Allumbaugh House. The bill includes transfer limitation exemption language and reporting language.

Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for fiscal year 2027.

RS33814 / S1434 This appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for the Division of Welfare provides enhancements to the FY 2027 maintenance budget that include a reduction from federal funds and an increase to the General Fund to account for the shift in SNAP administration costs (enhancement #18), costs of implementing Medicaid Expansion work and community engagement requirements (enhancement #19), and the cost of system updates to track Medicaid eligibility determinations (enhancement #20). All three enhancements are related to H.R. 1 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Enhancements #19 and 20 are also related to House Bill 345 of 2025.

Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for fiscal year 2027.

RS33815 / S1432 This appropriation bill to the Department of Health and Welfare for the Divisions of Indirect Support, Licensing and Certification, and Independent Councils (collectively known as "Other Programs") provides enhancements to the FY 2027 maintenance budget that include a fund shift for the Background Check Unit (enhancement #11), funding for replacement items (enhancement #58), OITS modernization and consolidation, and the fiscal impact of S1314 (enhancement #27). This bill also includes partial restoration of funding for the Domestic Violence Council (enhancement #30).

Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for rural health care for fiscal year 2027.

RS33862 / S1453 This is a FY 2027 appropriation bill for the Department of Health and Welfare. It establishes the Idaho Rural Health Transformation Fund, and creates Rural Health Transformation Committee, a legislative oversight body responsible for governance, review, and recommendations related to the use of rural health transformation funds. This appropriation is related to the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) established in H.R. 1 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act), which provides $929 million to Idaho over five years. The purpose of the program is to strengthen rural healthcare by giving states funding to innovate care delivery, boost provider sustainability, develop the workforce, and leverage technology for better access and outcomes in underserved areas. Idaho will receive an annual federal award of $185,974,400 over the five year grant period. The funding will be available for two years before it expires. The Department of Health and Welfare will submit an annual budget request for appropriation in an amount that aligns with the federal funding cycle. This appropriation includes a supplemental to allow the department to draw down available federal funds for the remainder of FY 2026. This bill also provides the ongoing appropriation for the 12.00 limited-service positions, as well as onetime appropriation for FY 2027. The Rural Health Transformation committee will ensure funds are used solely for federally approved purposes, are distributed through a transparent and accountable process, and align with Idaho's approved rural health transformation plan. The committee will provide legislative oversight, require sustainability planning for funded initiatives, receive regular reports on expenditures and outcomes, and make recommendations to the Legislature regarding the use of funds. The act includes public reporting requirements and sunsets the committee once all funds have been expended.

Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

RS33863 / S1454 This appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for the Divisions of Early Learning and Development, Family and Community Partnerships, and Youth Safety and Permanency provides enhancements to the FY 2027 maintenance budget. For FY 2027 this bill includes funding for four enhancements, a population forecast adjustment and adds the Idaho Home Visiting Program (IHVP) to the Division of Early Learning and Development. Enhancements include a walker mower, federal appropriation for the Kinship Navigation Grant, budget restoration for post adoption services, and budget restoration for safety assessments. This bill includes sections of language providing transfer limitation exemptions and reporting requirements.

Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for fiscal year 2027.

RS33859 / H0972 This is a FY 2027 trailer appropriation bill for the Department of Health and Welfare. It address the fiscal impact of House Bill 730, which requires changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility system.