This bill amends various sections of the Idaho Code concerning juvenile proceedings, particularly focusing on review hearings, definitions, and the conditions for terminating parental rights. It changes the frequency of review hearings from every six months to every two months after the court takes jurisdiction. New requirements are introduced for documentation and inquiries related to the child's safety, educational stability, sibling placements, and the use of psychotropic medication during these hearings. The bill also highlights the importance of youth participation in discussions about their permanency outcomes, especially for those aged twelve and older.

Additionally, the bill modifies the definition of a permanency goal and establishes clearer guidelines for when the department must file a petition to terminate parental rights, reducing the timeframe from fifteen months to twelve months in specific situations. It allows for extended foster care for individuals aged eighteen to twenty-one who were in the department's custody until their eighteenth birthday. The bill also clarifies the conditions for terminating parental rights, emphasizing that such termination cannot be based solely on a child's immunization status and allowing parents with disabilities to present evidence on how they can fulfill their parenting responsibilities. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 16-1622, 16-2002, 16-2005