Robert Beiswenger — Raised concern that incarceration for a white-collar crime could still be considered in terminating parental rights.
Ilana Rubel — Representative Rubel moves to introduce RS 33592C1.
Ilana Rubel — Representative Rubel was called during the roll call and responded 'Yes' when her vote was recorded.
Ilana Rubel — Representative Rubel was named during the roll call vote and later recorded as voting no.
Ben Fuhriman — Representative Ben Fuhriman introduces himself as the sponsor of Senate Bill 1255 and explains that the bill amends Idaho’s involuntary commitment procedures. In the ensuing discussion, he responds to questions and clarifies that the bill is not limited to reservation residents or tribal members, and that non-tribal people could also be admitted in the relevant situation.
Josh Wheeler — Representative Wheeler moves to send Senate Bill 1255 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Josh Wheeler — Introduced Senate Bill 1257 and identified himself as representing District 35.
Josh Wheeler — Acknowledged as the bill sponsor she has worked with.
Josh Wheeler — Josh Wheeler delivered closing remarks in support of the bill, thanking the committee for its attention to parental rights and the details of the proposal. He explained that the bill adds clarity to an existing process and helps guide decisions through the judicial branch, using the Egbert example as a clear illustration. He also thanked the committee again, recognized the care foster parents provide and the roles of other stakeholders, and concluded by asking members to support Representative Healy’s motion to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Josh Wheeler — Moves an amended substitute motion to lay House Bill 808 on the table.
Josh Wheeler — Votes no in the roll call.
Josh Wheeler — His motion to lay House Bill 808 on the table is identified as the next motion.
Josh Wheeler — Votes yes in the roll call.
Josh Wheeler — The speaker says the sponsor is willing to work on amendments and supports the due-pass motion.
Josh Tanner — Representative Josh Tanner asks whether non-tribal people could be admitted to a tribal holding facility if it is the closest available location.
Josh Tanner — Representative Tanner was called during the roll-call vote and responded first with a no, then with yes on subsequent calls, reflecting the voting exchange for the motion.
Josh Tanner — Votes yes in the roll call.
Blake Ude — Blake Ude testifies on behalf of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes in support of the bill.
Tanya Burgoyne — The transcript says 'Representative Vice-Wiard,' which appears to be a garbled reference to Representative Burgoyne or another member; uncertain.
Tanya Burgoyne — Answered yes on the roll call; likely Burgoyne.
Tanya Burgoyne — Representative Burgoyne is recorded as voting yes.
Richard Cheatum — The speaker appears to be addressing Representative Beiswenger, though the transcript is garbled as 'Byswinger.'
Richard Cheatum — Representative Stone is called on, briefly states support for the sponsor's efforts while indicating he will not support advancing the bill, and then his roll-call votes are recorded.
Tyrell Stevenson — Tyrell Stevenson is introduced as the next witness appearing virtually, and the committee then clarifies his status, questioning whether he declined to testify.
David Leavitt — The chair assumes Representative Furman will carry the bill on the floor.
David Leavitt — Representative Levitt raises a question about wrongful conviction in relation to incarceration and parental rights, and the discussion continues with Representative Leavitt being addressed on how the bill would apply to that issue.
David Leavitt — Voted no on the motion; likely David Leavitt.
David Leavitt — Questions the accuracy of claims about St. Luke's firing employees over the COVID vaccine.
David Leavitt — Asked whether the testimony reflected the official position of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
David Leavitt — Asked whether the business community is bound by ADA law, especially Title III.
David Leavitt — Makes a substitute motion to send House Bill 808 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
David Leavitt — His motion to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation is discussed as being withdrawn.
David Leavitt — The chair states the roll call concerns whether he may withdraw his motion.
David Leavitt — The motion under consideration is his request to withdraw the due-pass motion.
David Leavitt — Votes yes in the roll call.
David Leavitt — Votes no in the roll call.
David Leavitt — Likely Representative Leavitt or another member; vote recorded as no.
David Leavitt — Likely Representative Leavitt; vote recorded as yes.
Melissa Wintrow — Senator Melissa Wintrow is introduced and then speaks in support of the bill. After a brief name clarification, she identifies herself as the senator for District 19 in Boise, explains her long involvement with child welfare oversight, and says the bill strikes a balance between parental rights and the child’s interests. She describes the serious abuse cases the bill addresses, notes that she worked over the summer with Idaho Voices for Children, the Ombuds Office, and other stakeholders, and then yields time to Jean Fisher.
Melissa Wintrow — Melissa Wintrow is repeatedly referenced as a key Senate partner on the bill: she is credited with helping move the legislation to this point, noted as the senator who asked for a co-sponsor, described as the Senate co-sponsor, and then mentioned again in the context of being invited to respond after Director Fisher.
Jean Fisher — Jean Fisher is introduced as the next witness and praised for prior testimony, then she identifies herself as the Administrator for Safety and Permanency with the Department of Health and Welfare and explains her background as a deputy prosecutor. She testifies that the bill would clarify difficult abuse and neglect visitation situations by putting guidance into statute, giving courts clearer direction and helping them determine the child’s best interest.
Jean Fisher / Gene Fisher — Introduced herself as the administrator for safety and permanency with the Department of Health and Welfare; the transcript alternates between Jean and Gene.
Ms. Fisher — Ms. Fisher responds to a series of questions about how incarceration should factor into termination of parental rights. She explains that incarceration alone should not automatically determine the outcome, but courts may consider it along with the child’s age, bonding, foster placement, and the parent’s progress in prison. She notes that older children may still maintain relationships with parents, while very young children who have spent most of their lives with foster parents may have best-interest considerations favoring permanency. She also addresses concerns about wrongful convictions, distinguishing criminal and child-protection standards of proof and acknowledging that appeals can take years, which may affect termination cases. Finally, she discusses the need for Attorney General/DAG support in child protection matters because county prosecutors often lack the capacity or willingness to handle these specialized cases.
Dori Healey? / Ms. Fisher (question addressed to witness) — The transcript appears to misrecognize the witness/speaker labels in this exchange; the question is directed to Ms. Fisher.
Dori Healey — Asked whether a motion was in order and then made the motion to send Senate Bill 1257 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Dori Healey — Moved to hold the bill in committee and began speaking to the motion.
Lori McCann — Made a brief comment thanking Ms. Fisher for her testimony.
Lori McCann — Sought clarification about the difference between existing statutory language and the proposed addition.
Lori McCann — Answered yes on the roll call; likely Lori McCann.
Ms. Fitcher — Ms. Fitcher explained that, under a law enacted last year, parents can again voluntarily terminate their rights, but in general both parents are required for termination and the system still prioritizes family and kin placement first. She added that terminations typically do not occur until much later in the court process, generally around 18 to 24 months, except in cases of voluntary termination.