The bill amends the Idaho Safe Haven Act by introducing new definitions and provisions related to the care and placement of abandoned children. It defines "Indian child" as any unmarried person under eighteen who is a member or citizen of an Indian tribe or eligible for membership and is the biological child of a member. Additionally, the bill allows for the voluntary disclosure of Indian tribe membership or citizenship by custodial parents when leaving a child at a safe haven. It also revises the process for the temporary custody of abandoned children, ensuring that safe havens can accept children through newborn safety devices and clarifying the responsibilities of safe havens in terms of confidentiality and medical care.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the procedures for the protective custody and placement of abandoned children, emphasizing the importance of contacting licensed adoption agencies for placement within a specified timeframe. It includes provisions for notifying the child's Indian tribe if the child is identified as an Indian child, in accordance with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). The bill declares an emergency, making it effective immediately upon passage, with a specified full force date of July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 39-8202, 39-8203, 39-8204