Interim committee punts on faith-healing recommendation

A group of lawmakers will not submit a recommendation to the Idaho Legislature on whether or not the state’s faith-healing exemption law should be repealed.

The 10-member panel met for the last time on Monday after listening to roughly three hours of public testimony and adjourned without discussing any of the concerns raised over the past few months.

Rep. Joe Palmer, a Republican from Meridian who co-chaired the committee, says he was only instructed to listen to all sides of the issue.

Currently, Idaho law allows families to cite religious reasons for medical decisions for their children without fear of being charged with neglect or manslaughter. Critics argue the exemption causes unnecessary harm to children. Advocates counter that the law protects religious and parental rights.