After four hours of testimony Monday, an Idaho House panel passed a contentious foster care reform bill that would allow judges to oversee adoptions and implement a timeframe for relatives to apply to care for a child, the AP reports. The House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee voted unanimously in support of the measure, despite concerns voiced by the Department of Health and Welfare and other child welfare workers.

Dozens of foster parents attended the hearing with a handful giving personal testimony — accusing the department of moving foster children at a moment's notice. Several testified their foster children were placed with distant relatives who abused and neglected the children, before abandoning them to the system. Merritt Dublin, a volunteer attorney and former foster parent, said the bill would provide greater oversight of the department.

"These stories are real," she said. "These are not disgruntled foster parents. These are people who were trying to advocate for the true best interests of their children." You can read a full report here from AP reporter Kathryn Haake.