1. Gov. Brad Little signs bill repealing needle exchange program

Praise God that Idaho legislators are passing bills that create distance between the Gem State and failed California policies!

Last week, Governor Brad Little signed House Bill 617 into law, repealing the statewide syringe and needle exchange program that provided taxpayer-funded needles to illicit drug users. 

According to statewide public opinion polling that was commissioned by Idaho Family Policy Center, around 65% of likely Idaho voters agreed that taxpayer-funded needle exchange programs have no place in our state.

In a statement to the press, IFPC President Blaine Conzatti wrote:

Instead of rescuing our friends, family, and neighbors from bondage and addiction, needle exchange programs enable addicts so they can continue abusing drugs “safely.” Put simply, these programs subsidize addiction. 

The Bible is very clear: We are called to love our neighbor as ourselves. True love is taking the time to pour into those facing addiction by showing them the life-transforming power and love of Jesus Christ, not handing them over to their vices.

Idaho Family Policy Center has actively supported this bill throughout the legislative process and even got some noteworthy press mentions from Channel 6 and Idaho Press.

2. Gov. Little signs school vaccine exemption and AI-generated child porn bills

Imagine turning eighteen years-old halfway through your senior year of high school. Although you have always received school vaccine exemptions, you’re now told by school officials that since you’re no longer a minor, you will need to get immunizations x, y, and z if you want to graduate.

Thankfully, Gov. Brad Little signed House Bill 597 to address this very issue.

The bill not only extends the immunization exemptions to high school students over the age of 18, it also goes one step further by preventing colleges and universities from requiring vaccination status as conditions of student enrollment or attendance.  

Our policy assistant, Grace Howat, testified in favor of the bill, saying:

This legislation would prevent the state from coercing individuals into violating their sincerely held religious or moral beliefs in order to continue their education. It stops government overreach and ensures that Idaho respects the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

In other news, Gov. Little also signed House Bill 465, which criminalizes artificial intelligence-generated sexual depictions of identifiable children.

It’s heartbreaking and repulsive that we even need to be having this conversation, but we live in a fallen world—and it’s the job of the government to protect the most vulnerable.

Idaho Family Policy Center was the only organization that actively supported House Bill 465 throughout the legislative process. We promise to continue fighting for the protection of children in the Gem state.

3. TREASURE VALLEY: Register now for upcoming Biblical Activism Bootcamp

Do you want to get engaged on the issues of faith, family, and freedom in the Gem State?

Do you want to meet like-minded conservatives who care about engaging culture and exerting a righteous influence in state government?

Join us for our next Biblical Activism Bootcamp:

• WHEN: 9:00am – 3:00pm on Saturday, April 13th
• WHERE: Awaken Church (530 E Sonata Ln, Meridian 83642)
• SPEAKERS: Tim Barton (Wallbuilders), Joseph Backholm (Family Research Council), and Blaine Conzatti (IFPC)

Spots are limited, so you should RSVP now. Registration is free, but catered Chick-Fil-A boxes lunches are included only when you purchase meal vouchers. Please bring sack lunches if you don’t purchase meal vouchers.

Register now—we look forward to seeing you there!