Idaho Legislature: Ask Legislators to VOTE NO on H0245 - Foster care (posted 02/19/25)

• Bill: legislature.idaho.gov/s…

• Contact Legislators (link below):

(Check the linked page or use My Bill Tracker for the bill’s current status.)

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H0245 has two components:

1. Extends foster care for young adults to age 23 (from current age 21).

2. Allows separate licensing standards for relatives while maintaining health, safety, and security.

Expanding foster care to actual adults up to age 23 is an unnecessary expense that should NOT be borne by taxpayers. According to the fiscal note, H0245 may cost $420,500 annually, with $222,900 from the General Fund. All this money for approximately 40 expected participants annually ($10,512.50 per person).

Not only is this bill expensive, it encourages dependency on government by foster families who receive state money and by fostered young adults who should be self-supporting.

Note: Allowing separate licensing standards for relatives seems appropriate, as care from loving family is preferable to care by strangers. However, this bill should not pass unless the age-out is returned to 21 (from the proposed 23). If fostered adults aren’t ready for the world by age 21, they probably won’t be ready by age 23. Then what? Increase the age limit again? No, please don’t do that. Twenty-one is plenty generous.