Bill Analyses and Ratings
Bill Information: H0578 – Juvenile Transition Services State Plan Amendment
Bill Summary
This bill creates new Section 56-2208 in Idaho Code, directing the Department of Health and Welfare to submit a state plan amendment by July 1, 2026, to establish transition services for incarcerated juveniles. The services target eligible juveniles within 30 days of their scheduled release from correctional facilities following adjudication.
The bill authorizes two categories of services: (1) screening and diagnostic services meeting reasonable standards of medical, behavioral health, or dental practice, and (2) targeted case management services, including referrals for appropriate care in the geographic region where the juvenile will reside. The legislation limits services to those required under Section 1902 of the Social Security Act and explicitly states that services cannot begin before July 1, 2027, and are subject to legislative appropriation. The bill includes an emergency clause for immediate effect upon passage.
Overall Assessment
This bill establishes pre-release transition services for incarcerated juveniles, providing medical, behavioral health, and dental screenings plus case management during the 30 days before release from correctional facilities. The legislation supports juvenile rehabilitation by connecting young offenders with community-based care before they leave custody. The program creates new government expenditures subject to future legislative appropriation and relies on federal Social Security Act provisions for service delivery.
Rating Breakdown
ARTICLE I. RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT (-1)
The bill authorizes a new government program requiring legislative appropriation, as stated in Section 1(3): 'services...are subject to legislative appropriation.' This creates additional government spending obligations and expands state agency authority through a federally-influenced state plan amendment pursuant to Section 1902 of the Social Security Act, increasing government involvement in service delivery.
ARTICLE II. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (0)
This bill establishes healthcare transition services for incarcerated juveniles and does not address elections, voting procedures, citizen participation in government, or political engagement.
ARTICLE III. EDUCATION (0)
The bill focuses on medical, behavioral health, and dental services for juveniles leaving correctional facilities. It does not address educational policy, curriculum, parental rights in education, or school choice.
ARTICLE IV. AGRICULTURE (0)
This bill concerns healthcare transition services for incarcerated juveniles and has no connection to agriculture, farming, ranching, or agricultural policy.
ARTICLE V. WATER (0)
The bill addresses juvenile correctional transition services and does not involve water rights, water management, or water policy.
ARTICLE VI. NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT (0)
This bill establishes healthcare services for juveniles and has no connection to natural resources, environmental policy, or land management.
ARTICLE VII. ENERGY (0)
The bill concerns transition services for incarcerated juveniles and does not address energy policy, energy production, or energy independence.
ARTICLE VIII. IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORIES (0)
This bill addresses healthcare transition services for juveniles and has no connection to the Idaho National Laboratory, nuclear research, or technology development.
ARTICLE IX. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS (0)
The bill establishes healthcare services for incarcerated juveniles and does not address private property, eminent domain, takings, or property development rights.
ARTICLE X. STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS (0)
This bill concerns juvenile transition services and has no connection to state or federal land management or land ownership issues.
ARTICLE XI. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (0)
The bill addresses healthcare services for incarcerated juveniles and does not involve wildlife management, hunting, fishing, or predator control.
ARTICLE XII. ECONOMY (0)
While the bill creates a new government program requiring legislative appropriation, it focuses specifically on healthcare transition services for a targeted population of incarcerated juveniles rather than broader economic policy, commerce, or business regulation.
ARTICLE XIII. HEALTH AND WELFARE (0)
The bill creates government-delivered healthcare services through a state plan amendment, including 'screening or diagnostic service' and 'targeted case management services' as specified in Section 1(1). This establishes a government health delivery system for incarcerated juveniles, though the services are limited to a specific 30-day pre-release window and a narrowly defined eligible population.
ARTICLE XIV. AMERICAN FAMILY (0)
While the bill provides services for juveniles, it specifically targets those who have been adjudicated and incarcerated in correctional facilities. It does not address traditional family values, marriage, parental authority, or family structure.
ARTICLE XV. OLDER AMERICANS (0)
This bill targets juveniles within 30 days of release from correctional facilities and has no connection to policies or services for older Americans.
ARTICLE XVI. LAW AND ORDER WITH JUSTICE (1)
The bill directly supports juvenile rehabilitation by providing 'screening or diagnostic service' for medical, behavioral health, and dental needs, plus 'targeted case management services, including referrals for appropriate care' for juveniles within 30 days of release from correctional facilities. These transition services help prepare young offenders for successful reentry into their communities, supporting accountability and rehabilitation objectives for juvenile justice.
ARTICLE XVII. NATIONAL DEFENSE – SECURING THE BORDER (0)
This bill addresses healthcare transition services for incarcerated juveniles and has no connection to national defense, military policy, veterans, or border security.
ARTICLE XVIII. ELECTION OF JUDGES AND IDAHO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES (0)
The bill concerns juvenile transition services and does not address judicial elections, court procedures, or constitutional interpretation.
ARTICLE XIX. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (0)
This bill establishes healthcare and case management services for incarcerated juveniles and does not address religious freedom, free exercise of religion, or conscience protections.