The number of those signed up to testify at today’s children at risk/faith healing hearing has swelled to more than 60. So far, 27 people have testified, 10 against lifting Idaho’s religious exemptions for faith healing, and 17 in favor of lifting the exemptions.

Idaho is one of just seven states with a faith-healing exemption from its manslaughter laws, according to data submitted to the panel at its last meeting by legislative staffers. Many more states have faith-healing exemptions from civil liability for abuse, neglect or failure to report; smaller numbers have exemptions from misdemeanor or felony criminal charges for non-support, neglect or injury to a child. Idaho has exemptions in all four areas. Only one other state, Virginia, has all four exemptions.

Gov. Butch Otter asked legislative leaders to form the joint committee, after legislation was proposed unsuccessfully for the past few years to lift or amend Idaho’s religious exemptions. You can watch today’s meeting live online here.