IdahoIdaho law requires hearing checks for infants and newborns
Starting July 1, 2026, Idaho law requires hearing checks for infants and newborns, with providers reporting results to support follow-up.
What it does
Birth facilities screen infants and newborns for hearing loss before discharge. For births outside a facility, the birth attendant must screen or refer the infant within 21 days; these rules depend on federal funding and state costs.
Screening facilities and providers report failed results within seven days and all other results monthly to support follow-up and early intervention; these rules depend on federal funding and state costs.
Argument forQuick reports of failed checks could help Idaho arrange follow-up and early support for infants with possible hearing loss.
Argument againstIf federal funding ends and the state would face higher costs, the screening rules could become unenforceable, leaving some infants without the checks these rules require.
More detail
Hospitals and other birth facilities must screen infants before discharge; for births outside those facilities, the birth attendant must screen the infant or refer them for screening. The requirements cover all infants and newborns, including those born outside a hospital, health care facility, or birthing facility. The requirements depend on continued federal funding for infant and newborn hearing screening and cannot be enforced if losing that funding would increase state costs. Screening must use methods approved by Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind (IESDB) and follow its established or approved standards, schedules, and protocols. The law takes effect July 1, 2026. For births outside a facility, screening or referral must happen no later than 21 days after birth.
Screening facilities and providers must report results to IESDB. The duty covers results from the hearing screenings required by this section. The requirements depend on continued federal funding for infant and newborn hearing screening and cannot be enforced if losing that funding would increase state costs. IESDB may give providers guidance or educational materials to help them meet the requirements. The law takes effect July 1, 2026. Failed results are due within seven days, and all other results are due monthly.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 1Signed by Governor Brad Little on 03/31/26 Session Law Chapter 266 Effective: 07/01/2026Became Law
- Mar 30Reported delivered to Governor at 2 p.m. on 03/30/26To Governor
- Mar 30Reported signed by the Speaker & ordered delivered to GovernorMinor
- Mar 30Received from Senate; Signed by Speaker; Returned to SenateMajor
- Mar 30Reported enrolled; signed by President; to House for signature of SpeakerMajor
- Mar 27Returned From House Passed; referred to enrollingMinor
- Mar 26Rules Suspended: Ayes 68 Nays 1 Abs/Excd 1, read in full as required – PASSED - 37-32-1AYES – Berch, Bingham, Boyle, Cheatum, Church, Cornilles, Egbert, Erickson, Fuhriman, Gannon, Garner, Green, Hall(Stone), Handy, Haws, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Manwaring, Mathias, McCann, Mickelsen, Miller, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Pohanka, Raybould, Raymond, Rubel, Sauter, Shirts, Veile, Weber, Wheeler, Mr. SpeakerNAYS – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cannon, Cayler, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dygert, Ehardt, Ehlers, Furniss, Harris, Hawkins, Hostetler, Leavitt, Marmon, Mendive, Mitchell, Monks, Price, Rasor, Redman, Scott, Shepherd, Skaug, Tanner(13), Tanner(14), Thompson, Vander Woude, WisniewskiAbsent – GalavizFloor Sponsor - HealeyTitle apvd - to SenatePassed 2nd Chamber
- Vote recorded Rules Suspended: Ayes 68 Nays 1 Abs/Excd 1, read in full as required –. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 26Read second time; Filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 25Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second ReadingMinor
- Mar 23Read First Time, Referred to Health & WelfareMinor
- Mar 23Received from the Senate, Filed for First Reading
- Mar 20Read third time in full as amended – PASSED - 22-13-0AYES – Adams, Anthon, Bernt, Blaylock, Burtenshaw, Carlson, Cook, Den Hartog, Galloway, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Lent, Rabe, Ricks, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Taylor, VanOrden, Ward-Engelking, Wintrow, WoodwardNAYS – Bjerke(Bjerke), Foreman, Hart, Keyser, Kohl, Lakey, Lenney, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Shippy, Toews, Zito, ZuiderveldAbsent and excused – NoneFloor Sponsor - GallowayTitle apvd - to HousePassed 1st Chamber
- Vote recorded Read third time in full as amended –. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 19Retained on calendar
- Mar 17Read second time as amended, filed for Third readingMinor
- Mar 16Read first time as amended, filed for Second Reading
- Mar 16Reported engrossed, filed for first reading, as amended
- Mar 16Amendments reported printed
- Mar 13Amendments ordered printed; referred for engrossment
- Mar 13Reported out without recommendation, as amended
- Mar 13Placed in the Committee of the Whole
- Feb 27Referred to 14th Order for amendment
- Feb 23Read second time; filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Feb 20Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second readingMinor
- Feb 16Reported Printed; referred to Health & Welfare
- Feb 13Introduced; read first time; referred to JR for PrintingIntroduced
Healthcare