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H 135

WELFARE – Amends existing law to remove certain provisions for verification of lawful presence to receive public benefits.

68th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025)

House Bill H 135 limits non-emergency health care and social benefits for individuals not legally present in Idaho, aiming to discourage illegal immigration.

Reported Signed by Governor on April 3, 2025 Session Law Chapter 275 Effective: 07/01/2025
#health #immigrationandimmigrants #medical #publicassistance
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Bill Summary · H 135

Summary of House Bill H 135

Title

WELFARE – Amends existing law to remove certain provisions for verification of lawful presence to receive public benefits.

Bill Information

  • Bill Number: H 135
  • Status: Reported Signed by Governor on April 3, 2025
  • Session Law Chapter: 275
  • Effective Date: July 1, 2025
  • Introduced: February 4, 2025
  • Classification: Bill
  • Subject Areas: Health, Immigration and Immigrants, Medical, Public Assistance

Purpose and Intent

House Bill H 135 aims to amend existing laws regarding the verification of lawful presence for individuals seeking public benefits in Idaho. The primary intent of the bill is to reduce the availability of certain public benefits to individuals who are not legally present in the United States, thereby discouraging illegal immigration to Idaho.

Key Provisions

  1. Amendments to Verification Requirements:

    • The bill modifies Section 67-7903 of the Idaho Code, removing the requirement for state agencies to verify the lawful presence of individuals applying for state or local public benefits, except for specific circumstances outlined in the law.

  2. Removal of Non-Emergency Health Care Benefits:

    • Non-emergency health care benefits and some social benefits currently available to illegal aliens will be eliminated. However, access to emergency medical services for illegal aliens remains intact as per existing Idaho Code.

  3. Technical Corrections:

    • The bill includes technical corrections to ensure clarity and compliance with the new provisions.

  4. Emergency Declaration:

    • The bill declares an emergency, allowing it to take effect immediately on July 1, 2025, following its signing by the Governor.

Impact

  • Affected Population:

    • The bill primarily affects individuals who are not legally present in the United States, as it limits their access to non-emergency health care and certain social benefits.

  • Fiscal Implications:

    • The fiscal note indicates that while the bill is expected to reduce some social and health care benefits available to illegal aliens, the exact savings cannot be quantified due to the lack of tracking of legal status among beneficiaries.

Legislative Timeline

  • February 4, 2025: Bill introduced and referred to the Health & Welfare Committee.
  • March 17, 2025: Passed in the House with a vote of 46-22-2.
  • April 1, 2025: Passed in the Senate and returned to the House for enrollment.
  • April 3, 2025: Signed by the Governor and reported as Session Law Chapter 275.

Conclusion

House Bill H 135 represents a significant shift in Idaho's approach to public benefits for individuals based on their immigration status. By removing verification requirements for lawful presence, the bill aims to limit access to certain benefits, thereby addressing concerns related to illegal immigration in the state. The bill's effective date is set for July 1, 2025, following its signing into law.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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