Bill Analyses and Ratings

Rating: +1

Bill Summary:

House Bill 472, known as the Idaho Medical Freedom Act, expands existing law to prohibit both government agencies and private businesses from mandating or discriminating based on an individual’s medical intervention status. This includes, but is not limited to, vaccines, medications, treatments, or procedures intended to prevent or treat illness.

The bill prohibits conditioning access to employment, services, education, benefits, or event attendance on receipt of a medical intervention, unless otherwise required by federal law or specific sections of Idaho Code. Public schools and higher education institutions are barred from imposing such requirements except as permitted under existing education law. The bill allows limited exemptions for entities that must comply with federal regulations (such as Medicare or Medicaid providers), for travel requirements imposed by other jurisdictions, and for traditional PPE use. It includes provisions for enforcement by the Attorney General or county prosecutors and mandates reimbursement of legal fees to prevailing state entities. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Reason for Rating:

House Bill 472 aligns with the Idaho Republican Party Platform’s strong commitments to medical freedom, personal responsibility, and limited government interference. It reinforces bodily autonomy and informed consent by blocking coercive policies from both public institutions and private employers. The legislation protects Idahoans from discrimination based on their private medical choices while preserving reasonable exceptions to maintain compliance with federal law. In doing so, it fortifies individual liberty, curbs overreach, and respects constitutional principles. For these reasons, H0472 is rated +1.