Two versions of new medical freedom act still alive after Gov’s veto  – Idaho Reports

By Ruth Brown, Idaho Reports 

Two competing versions of a bill called the Idaho Medical Freedom Act are floating through the statehouse as of Wednesday, and it’s unclear which one might make it through both chambers. 

To overturn a governor’s veto, there must be at least two-thirds support from members in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate passed the original bill in a close 19-14 vote on Feb. 26, while the House passed it in a 47-23 vote on March 19. 

The Senate State Affairs Committee introduced its version of the legislation, SB 1210, after Gov. Brad Little vetoed an earlier version on Saturday. 

The biggest change from the vetoed bill is it would exempt daycares, which are allowed to mandate vaccinations for their workers and clients. It also points to Idaho’s existing laws around immunizations, vaccine policy in schools, and the Idaho Parental Rights Act. 

The committee sent that bill to the amending order on Wednesday.  

Meanwhile, the House State Affairs Committee on Wednesday morning advanced a competing bill co-sponsored by Speaker Mike Moyle, R-Star, and Assistant Majority Leader Rep. Josh Tanner, R-Eagle.   

That bill, HB 472, is almost identical to the vetoed SB 1023, except it now refers to a section of Idaho law that allows schools to send sick children home, something that Little addressed in his veto letter.  

The governor’s veto letter expressed concern about the original bill preventing schools from sending children home with obvious contagious conditions such as lice or pink eye. 

The House’s bill does not include the Senate’s exemption for daycares, which are private businesses and not state funded. 

If passed into law, the bills would rename the Coronavirus Stop Act, an existing law, to the Medical Freedom Act and prohibit all medical mandates, not just those related to COVID-19. The bills also add language prohibiting a school from mandating medical intervention for any person attending, working at, or entering a school.  

It’s unclear when the House and Senate bills will next advance, or if the opposite chamber will agree to take up the other’s version. 

Ruth Brown | Producer

Ruth Brown grew up in South Dakota and her first job out of college was covering the South Dakota Legislature. She’s since moved on to Idaho lawmakers. Brown spent 10 years working in print journalism, including newspapers such as the Idaho Statesman and Idaho Press, where she’s covered everything from the correctional system to health care issues. She joined Idaho Reports in 2021 and looks forward to telling stories about how state policy can impact the lives of regular Idahoans.