I.C.A.N. Members,

The hearing before the Senate on H822 which was originally scheduled for 1:30 has been moved up to 1:00 pm.  If you are bringing testimony via video or in person be sure to adjust your schedule to meet the new time.  It’s important that we enact this law so that children will no longer receive gender mutilation surgeries or transitioning drugs without parental consent.  

Thank you, 

Pastor John

I.C.A.N. Members,

The house heard arguments last week for banning secretive surgical transitions for minors without parental notification. This Friday at 1:30 the Senate will hear the same arguments. Please continue to pray for passage of this bill. Also, we desperately need people to come and give testimony in favor of the bill.  Anyone who wishes to can sign up at legislature.idaho.gov.  Testimony can be given in person, in writing, or over the internet. We need to make a strong push as those opposed to the bill are pressing to keep this bill from passing. 

Here is the Legislative Accessibility and Public Testimony link.

https://legislature.idaho.gov/resources/leg-accessibility-pub-testimony/

Thank you,

Pastor John

Dear I.C.A.N. members,

There are two bills passing through the house and senate on Monday that need immediate prayer and letters, emails, texts or phone calls to support their passage.  

The first is H822

In 2023, the Idaho legislature passed H 71 banning pediatric gender mutilation. This legislation, the"Pediatric Secretive Transitions Parental Rights Act," seeks to expand upon those protections and reinforce the fundamental right of parents and guardians to oversee the medical and social upbringing of their children.

The bill prohibits "covered entities"–including healthcare providers, educational institutions, and childcare providers–from facilitating a minor's medical sex transition or "social transition" without informing and obtaining the informed consent of the child's parent or guardian. Specifically, it prevents these entities from withholding information regarding a child's interest in sex transition procedures and requires schools to notify parents within 72 hours if a student requests to use different names, pronouns, or sex-separated facilities.

The second is S1296

In light of increasing animus and threats against religious worship around the country, this legislation recognizes a specific criminal trespass offense for entering or remaining on the premises of a church or house of worship while the individual's presence is clearly not permitted. To be convicted, an individual must also be proven to possess the specific intent to intimidate, harass, or disrupt a religious service or assemblage.

Thank you, 

Pastor John Collins

Dear I.C.A.N. members, 

Here’s another bill that needs prayer as it works through the legislature. The bill acknowledges that people deserve privacy and safety in vulnerable places like public restrooms and locker rooms. It clarifies that the existing duty of public accommodations to maintain safe premises for their customers. It extends to providing privacy and safety in restrooms and changing facilities. Requires separate restrooms and changing facilities on the basis of biological sex in all government buildings. Guarantees privacy and safety in places like state camp-ground shower facilities, city swimming pool locker rooms, and highway rest area bathrooms. Builds on previous policy victories that secured protections for women using bathrooms and changing facilities in public schools, colleges, correctional facilities, and domestic violence shelters.

In many Idaho communities, state law and local policies allow biological men to use female restrooms and locker rooms— threatening the privacy, safety, and dignity of the girls and women who use them.

John

Dear I.C.A.N. members, 

The Idaho House Bill 571 is moving through the legislature right now.

HB 571 strengthens Idaho law by clearly prohibiting the intentional disruption of religious worship, meetings, and events, whether they take place inside a church or at an off-site location used for religious gathering.

This is about protecting the ability of people to worship, meet, and gather without harassment, intimidation, or interference.

We’re asking Idaho legislators to vote YES on House Bill 571 and affirm that religious gatherings deserve the same respect and protection as any other lawful assembly.

Please contact your representatives and encourage them to support HB 571.

Protect Religious Gatherings.

Blessings, 

John

Dear I.C.A.N. members, 

There are two proposed pieces of legislation that need our attention.    

There is an opportunity to testify in person or virtually if needed for bill (H557) at 1:30pm this coming Monday (Feb. 2). The bill protects the religious rights of Idaho business owners.  The purpose behind the is to prevent local municipalities from enforcing ordinances that exceed state law and require business owners to provide services that are at odds with their sincerely held religious beliefs.  For example: A bakery, or flower shop, should not be forced into providing services for a same sex couple.  

Representative Bruce Skaug is asking for prayer and support of a bill which has yet to be given a number.  Details are below.

In 2023 the Idaho legislature passed H71 banning pediatric gender mutilation. This legislation, the "Pediatric Transitions Parental Rights Act" seeks to expand upon those protections and reinforce the fundamental right of parents and guardians t o oversee the medical and social upbringing of their children. 

The bill prohibits "covered entities" including healthcare providers, educational institutions, and mandated reporters o f child abuse from facilitating a minor's medical sex transition or "social transition" (the adoption of new names, pronouns, or appearances) without the express written informed consent o f the child's parent or guardian. It prevents these entities from withholding information from parents regarding a child's expressed interest in or desire for such transitions. The act establishes a civil cause of action for aggrieved parents, providing for statutory damages and authorizes the Attorney General to investigate violations, and levy civil penalties.

Feel free to contact your representative to encourage them to support these pieces of legislation as the move through the process.

Blessings, 

John

Dear I.C.A.N. Member, 

Happy New Year!  The Idaho legislative sessions are scheduled to begin January 12th.  The Governors State of the State address can be heard live that day on the legislature.Idaho.gov website at 1:00 pm.  

Also, we have created a new website that is independent from RCC so that other churches from around the Treasure Valley can participate in making our voices heard.  The website is ICANspeakout.org.  Please check it out.

We will notify our members once bills are posted for reading and consideration.  I encourage you also to keep and eye and ear open for any legislation that you think might be worth presenting to the ICAN group.   Let’s begin to pray now for our State representatives that they would be instruments for righteousness in our government in 2026. 

May God grant you a blessed New Year!

Pastor John