Idaho Senate introduces 2 faith-healing proposals

An Idaho Senate panel has introduced two different proposals to address the state’s laws allowing families to cite religious reasons for medical decisions without fear of being charged with neglect or abuse.

However, the bills ushered in Wednesday do not attempt to repeal Idaho’s most contentious sections of the law.

The first proposal would tweak only Idaho’s civil laws to make it easier for judges to get involved in faith-healing cases. It does not change the state’s religious exemption regarding criminal charges.

The second proposal does almost the opposite. It directs courts to consider other forms of treatment, like faith healing, before ordering emergency medical treatment for a child in cases of neglect.

The Senate State Affairs Committee agreed to consider both plans later in a full legislative hearing.