S1379 - Congregate Care, Child Placement

This bill outlines restrictions on foster placements in currently unregulated congregate care settings, including short-term rentals, hotels, and group homes. These restrictions include:
1. No child under the age of 13 shall be housed in such placements, with exceptions for emergencies, sibling groups, and teenage mothers.
2. No child shall be housed in such placements for more than two weeks.
3. Any exception must be individually approved by the department director.
By establishing guardrails for congregate care, Senate Bill 1379 will protect the safety of kids and help end Idaho’s current practice of housing foster kids in short-term rentals and hotels.