Idaho Capitol Watch
SB 1257: CHILD PROTECTION – Amends existing law to establish provisions regarding visitation and termination of parental rights.
Amends Idaho Code sections 16-1602 and 16-2005 to define 'visitation' with strict conditions for in-person contact when sexual/physical abuse is substantiated against a parent, and revises termination criteria to include parents incarcerated for substantial portion of child's minority when initiated by Dept. of Health & Welfare. Effective July 1, 2026.
Status
Effective (July 1, 2026) · Originated in the Idaho Senate · Introduced February 4, 2026
Sponsors
- HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE
Committees
- JR for Printing
Bill history
- March 17, 2026 — House: Rules Suspended: Ayes 66 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 4, read in full as required – PASSED - 44-24-2AYES – Bingham, Boyle, Cannon, Cheatum, Church, Cornilles, Crane(13), Dygert, Egbert, Erickson, Fuhriman, Furniss (passed)
- March 18, 2026 — Senate: Reported enrolled; signed by President; to House for signature of Speaker
- March 19, 2026 — House: Received from Senate; Signed by Speaker; Returned to Senate
- March 19, 2026 — House: Reported signed by the Speaker & ordered delivered to Governor
- March 19, 2026 — House: delivered to Governor at 4:34 p.m. on 03/19/26
- March 25, 2026 — House: Signed by Governor on 03/25/26
- March 25, 2026 — House: Session Law Chapter 131
- July 1, 2026 — House: Effective: 07/01/2026
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