Bill
H 480
Provides mid-year funding adjustments for Idaho DHW behavioral health, shifts one-time funds, and adds federal-funding protections, plus a 2026 report on CANS alternatives.
Status
- Enacted: Governor approved June 27, 2025 (Session Law Chapter 303).
- Effective dates: Sections 9–12 effective 04/04/2025; Sections 1–8 effective 07/01/2025.
Purpose
- Provides mid‑year FY2025 and FY2026 funding adjustments for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) — specifically the Divisions of Substance Abuse Treatment & Prevention, Mental Health Services, and Psychiatric Hospitalization — and attaches program, reporting, and federal‑funding restrictions.
Key fiscal provisions and numbers
- FY2026: Net additional appropriation of $261,400 to DHW behavioral health maintenance budget; total FY2026 behavioral health budget shown as $146,143,800.
- Shifts $6,319,700 from ongoing to one‑time funding for the Division of Mental Health’s Center of Excellence program; $6,058,300 removed from ongoing funds in other adjustments.
- FY2025: Mid‑year adjustments increase FY2025 appropriations by $9,407,300 (includes use of previously awarded federal funds for Idaho Behavioral Health Plan, civil commitment expenditures, and forecast/fund shifts at state hospitals).
- Staffing: Reduces Mental Health Services authorized full‑time positions by 9.00 FTP; moves 51.00 FTP to one‑time funding for the Center of Excellence.
Operational and programmatic changes
- Transfer exemptions: For FY2025 and FY2026 the Divisions of Mental Health Services and Psychiatric Hospitalization are authorized to transfer personnel costs and trustee/benefit payments pursuant to Idaho Code §67‑3511 (waiver of some transfer limitations for that period).
- Federal funding protections: Appropriations contingent on federal funds cannot be supplanted by state funds without legislative approval; agencies must inventory federal funds, attempt to revert state match if federal support is reduced, and promptly notify the Legislative Services Office of significant federal changes. Standard federal adjustments (cost allocation, FMAP, entitlements) are excluded.
Policy restrictions and reporting
- Program restrictions: DHW’s Division of Behavioral Health must not use appropriated funds for training/programming that advances diversity/equity/inclusion, critical race theory, or “transgender ideology,” nor for programs that allocate or restrict funds based on race or gender.
- Assessment report: DHW must deliver—by January 15, 2026—a report exploring alternatives to the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessment, options for parental/provider/patient opt‑outs of certain questions, and specifying that any alternatives considered shall not include assessing sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. Report to be submitted to the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee and the Legislative Services Office’s Budget & Policy Analysis Division.
Who is affected
- Primary: Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (Divisions of Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse Treatment & Prevention, Psychiatric Hospitalization), state hospitals, and programs funded through the specified appropriations.
- Secondary: behavioral health providers, patients (including children/adolescents), federal grant administrators, and legislative budget oversight entities.
Notes
- Fiscal note and statement of purpose accompany the act and detail the funding shifts, position changes, and mid‑year adjustments.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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