BOISE, Idaho — Governor Brad Little vetoed a bill on Saturday that would have stopped schools from requiring certain medical interventions.
Senate Bill 1023, called the "Idaho Medical Freedom Act," aimed to prohibit medical mandates, such as requiring vaccines.
RELATED: Medical Freedom Act passes Idaho House, awaits governor's signature
In his veto message, Little raised concerns about how the bill would affect schools' ability to manage contagious illnesses.
"Medical freedom is an Idaho value," he stated, but added that the bill would take away parents' ability to keep their children healthy at school by preventing schools from sending home students with contagious conditions.
The governor pointed out risks related to illnesses such as measles, lice, ringworm, pink eye, strep throat, stomach viruses, and the flu.
It’s very disappointing that Gov. Little vetoed SB 1023 Medical Freedom Act. After passing decisively in the house (47-23) and 19-14 with 2 absent in the senate, the bill will go to the senate for a veto override. Pray for some of those no’s to turn into yes’s. Also call your…
— Steve Tanner (@Daniel10_USA) March 29, 2025
If passed, the bill would have prohibited schools from requiring medical interventions for attendance or employment and would have stopped businesses and government agencies from imposing medical mandates.
The bill was presented to the governor on March 24 and vetoed five days later.
Lawmakers may seek to override the veto next week.
