... You have asked whether Idaho's religious exemption provision, which allows parents to treat their sick children through "spiritual means," limits administrative or judicial authority to provide medical services to children ... Our opinion is that the statutes do not conflict, and the state has authority to act on behalf of ill children ... Just as Idaho Code § 16-1602 defines child "neglect" to include lack of medical treatment, Idaho Code § 16-1616 provides the court with the option of providing a child with medical treatment whether or not the child's parent consents. In other words, nowhere in Idaho law does the religious exemption provide that a child cannot be medically treated if prayer is not effective and the child's life is endangered. Idaho's religious exemption references do not limit either administrative or judicial action when medical treatment for children is deemed necessary ...
http://www.ag.idaho.gov/publications/op-guide-cert/1993/OP93-09.pdfWhether or not Idaho aggressively protects children, but the state has a statutory basis for intervention; the court, if intervening, must "consider" the religious beliefs of the parent(s) but this does not imply the court must invariably defer to such beliefs2010 Idaho Code
TITLE 18 CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS
CHAPTER 15 CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS
18-1501 INJURY TO CHILDREN.
(1) Any person who, under circumstances or conditions likely to produce great bodily harm or death, willfully causes or permits any child to suffer, or inflicts thereon unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering, or having the care or custody of any child, willfully causes or permits the person or health of such child to be injured, or willfully causes or permits such child to be placed in such situation that its person or health is endangered, is punishable by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding one (1) year, or in the state prison for not less than one (1) year nor more than ten (10) years ...
(4) The practice of a parent or guardian who chooses for his child treatment by prayer or spiritual means alone shall not for that reason alone be construed to have violated the duty of care to such child.
(5) As used in this section, "willfully" means acting or failing to act where a reasonable person would know the act or failure to act is likely to result in injury or harm or is likely to endanger the person, health, safety or well-being of the child ...
http://law.justia.com/codes/idaho/2010/title18/t18ch15sect18-1501.html2010 Idaho Code
TITLE 16 JUVENILE PROCEEDINGS
CHAPTER 16 CHILD PROTECTIVE ACT
16-1602 DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this chapter ...
(25) "Neglected" means a child:
(a) Who is without proper parental care and control, or subsistence, medical or other care or control necessary for his well-being because of the conduct or omission of his parents, guardian or other custodian or their neglect or refusal to provide them; however, no child whose parent or guardian chooses for such child treatment by prayers through spiritual means alone in lieu of medical treatment shall be deemed for that reason alone to be neglected or lack parental care necessary for his health and well-being, but this subsection shall not prevent the court from acting pursuant to section 16-1627, Idaho Code ...
http://law.justia.com/codes/idaho/2010/title16/t16ch16sect16-1602.html2010 Idaho Code
TITLE 16 JUVENILE PROCEEDINGS
CHAPTER 16 CHILD PROTECTIVE ACT
16-1627 AUTHORIZATION OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT
(1) At any time whether or not a child is under the authority of the court, the court may authorize medical or surgical care for a child when ...
(b) A physician informs the court orally or in writing that in his professional opinion, the life of the child would be greatly endangered without certain treatment and the parent, guardian or other custodian refuses or fails to consent ...
(3) In making its order under subsection (1) of this section, the court shall take into consideration any treatment being given the child by prayer through spiritual means alone, if the child or his parent, guardian or legal custodian are adherents of a bona fide religious denomination that relies exclusively on this form of treatment in lieu of medical treatment ...
(5) Oral authorization by the court is sufficient for care or treatment to be given by and shall be accepted by any physician or hospital. No physician or hospital nor any nurse, technician or other person under the direction of such physician or hospital shall be subject to criminal or civil liability for performance of care or treatment in reliance on the court’s authorization, and any function performed thereunder shall be regarded as if it were performed with the child’s and the parent’s authorization ...
http://law.justia.com/codes/idaho/2010/title16/t16ch16sect16-1627.html