Boise Daycare Appeals Idaho Medical Freedom Act Ruling
A Boise child care provider and parents are challenging a federal dismissal of their suit against Idaho's ban on medical mandates.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Law
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A Boise child care provider and parents have appealed a September federal court dismissal of their lawsuit challenging the Idaho Medical Freedom Act, which bars businesses, governments and schools from mandating vaccines or other medical interventions. The plaintiffs argued the law is unconstitutionally vague, but the judge found it gives fair notice of what is prohibited.
Why it matters
The appeal will test whether Idaho's 2025 law, which bans medical mandates across businesses, schools and government, can withstand a vagueness challenge in federal court. The outcome could affect how child care providers and other employers across Idaho handle vaccination and health requirements.
The case is pending at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, where both sides are awaiting arguments after the plaintiffs appealed the September dismissal. Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador requested the dismissal, and the appeal's outcome remains undetermined.
The players
Raúl Labrador
Raúl Labrador is the Idaho Attorney General who requested dismissal of the lawsuit and interpreted medical interventions as health actions that are medical in nature.
Brad Little
Brad Little is the Republican Governor of Idaho who vetoed an earlier version of the Medical Freedom Act over concerns about sending home sick children from schools.
Amanda K. Brailsford
Amanda K. Brailsford is the Chief U.S. District Judge who dismissed the lawsuit and agreed with the state's interpretation of medical interventions.
Leslie Manookian
Leslie Manookian is a public figure and the bill's author who wants Idaho's law to become a national model for similar legislation.
The details
The plaintiffs argue the Idaho Medical Freedom Act is unconstitutionally vague and sought to block its application to daycares. The federal judge found the law sets a standard of prohibited conduct that gives fair notice of what is prohibited, and the law was originally vetoed by Governor Brad Little over concerns it could prevent schools from sending home sick children before a revised version was enacted.
Timeline
2025: Idaho Medical Freedom Act passed into law.
April 2026: Governor's spokesperson said the revised bill does not jeopardize sick-child policies.
September 2026: Federal judge dismissed the lawsuit.
Late October 2026: Daycare and parents appealed the dismissal to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Legal Context
The appeal tests the Idaho Medical Freedom Act of 2025, which Governor Brad Little initially vetoed before a revised version passed, and the bill's author hopes it becomes a national model. The outcome will show whether state bans on medical mandates can survive federal vagueness challenges.
Child care providers and employers in Idaho cannot mandate vaccines or medical interventions under the law while the appeal is pending. Parents who rely on daycares should understand that the statute currently applies across businesses, schools and government.
The takeaway
The appeal will determine whether Idaho's ban on medical mandates holds up under federal review, which could shape how similar laws are written and enforced in other states. Businesses and schools in Idaho should monitor the 9th Circuit's decision before changing their health policies.
Further reading
For related coverage, see the Idaho Law section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Big Country News.
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