The Senate committee of the whole adopted amendments to Senate Bill 10‑34 on Feb. 20 that move existing foster‑care licensing rules into statute and change the state's approach to gun safety requirements in foster homes.

Senator Shippey, sponsor of the amendment, said the bill transfers licensing requirements from department rule into Idaho code and removes an existing rule that required guns and ammunition to be locked in two separate locations in foster homes. "As a licensed foster care provider myself, I find that to be a pretty heavy burden," Shippey said, arguing the rule discouraged potential foster families. The amendment instead directs the department to require a gun‑safety training video for foster providers and clarifies the director may have limited discretion to waive certain requirements in emergency placements.

Senator Wintrow opposed removing the separate locked‑storage requirement, saying a video does not suffice to address the danger. "I don't think a video on gun safety is enough," Wintrow said, adding that firearm deaths are among leading causes of accidental injury and death to children and that safe‑storage devices are widely available.

After debate, the committee adopted the amendments and returned Senate Bill 10‑34 as amended without recommendation. The transcript records voice votes—"ayes have it"—but does not include a roll‑call tally for the amendment or the committee report.

The amendments made three principal changes the floor identified: (1) relocating licensing requirements from department rule into statute; (2) deleting the rule that required guns and ammunition to be locked in two separate locations and instead requiring a gun‑safety training video for foster parents; and (3) adding language that allows the department director discretion to waive certain noncritical requirements (for example, a working phone) in emergency placements. The bill was placed on the Senate second reading calendar following committee action.