Idaho Bill Aims to 'Clean Up' Parental Consent Law

Proposed changes would address unintended barriers to medical care and crisis hotline access for minors

Mar. 12, 2026 at 9:07am

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A House committee in Idaho has advanced a bill to 'clean up' language from a 2024 law that required parental consent for nearly any medical care for young people under 18. The proposed changes in House Bill 860 aim to address inadvertent barriers created by the previous law, including allowing non-emergency first aid, treatment for serious injuries, access to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline, and certain examinations related to alleged crimes against a child.

Why it matters

The 2024 parental consent law in Idaho has had several unintended consequences, such as limiting the ability of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline to assist minors, inhibiting sexual assault exams for minors, and preventing basic first aid from being provided in schools. The new bill seeks to address these issues while still maintaining parental rights.

The details

House Bill 860 would make several changes to the 2024 parental consent law, including: clarifying that the law does not prohibit providing non-emergency first aid; allowing treatment to address 'serious bodily harm' or prevent 'serious physical illness or injury'; adding new requirements for receiving blanket consent from parents; allowing certain time-sensitive examinations and treatments related to alleged crimes against a child; and permitting the 988 Hotline to provide immediate services and follow-up calls for minors experiencing suicidal ideation.

  • The 2024 parental consent law went into effect on July 1, 2024.
  • House Bill 860 was advanced by a House committee on March 11, 2026 and will now go to the full House for consideration.

The players

Barbara Ehardt

The Republican state representative who is the sponsor of House Bill 860.

Lee Flinn

The director of the Idaho 988 Crisis and Suicide Hotline, who supports the changes in the bill.

Brian Naugle

The executive director of the Idaho Prosecutors Association, who expressed concerns about limiting evidence collection in alleged child sex abuse cases.

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What they’re saying

“Imagine being 15 trying to tell your parents that you want to die, not because you hate them but because you hate yourself. That takes courage most adults can't even imagine.”

— Jace Woods, Meridian High School freshman

“This immediate human connection can be the difference between a crisis escalating or a life being saved.”

— Lee Flinn, Idaho 988 Director

What’s next

If the bill passes the House, it will go to a Senate Committee for a potential hearing, where additional changes could be considered.

The takeaway

The proposed changes in House Bill 860 aim to address the unintended consequences of Idaho's 2024 parental consent law, which has created barriers to medical care and crisis hotline access for minors, while still maintaining parental rights. The bill's passage could help ensure vulnerable young people in Idaho can receive timely and appropriate care and support.