Idaho Capitol Watch
HB 494: HEALTH AND WELFARE – Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding background checks conducted by the Department of Health and Welfare.
This bill creates a new Chapter 25 in Title 56 of Idaho Code authorizing the Department of Health and Welfare to conduct fingerprint-based background checks on individuals with direct access to children, the elderly, and vulnerable adults across many care programs and services. It repeals the prior statute (56-1004A), updates cross-references in guardianship, conservatorship, daycare, and temporary caregiver laws, and codifies existing administrative practices to meet FBI requirements for using national criminal records. The measure passed the House, was amended in the Senate, received House concurrence, was signed by the Governor, and takes effect July 1, 2026.
Status
Effective (July 1, 2026) · Originated in the Idaho House · Introduced January 19, 2026
Sponsors
- HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE
Committees
- JRA for Engrossing
- JRA for Printing
Bill history
- March 26, 2026 — House: Reported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to Senate
- March 27, 2026 — Senate: Received from the House enrolled/signed by Speaker
- March 27, 2026 — Senate: Signed by President; returned to House
- March 27, 2026 — Senate: Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to Governor
- March 27, 2026 — Senate: Delivered to Governor at 1:45 p.m. on March 27, 2026
- March 27, 2026 — Senate: Reported Signed by Governor on March 27, 2026
- March 27, 2026 — Senate: Session Law Chapter 220
- July 1, 2026 — Senate: Effective: 07/01/2026
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