Criminal Justice (Corrections)

in committee · Idaho · Senate Mar 20, 2026

S 1414: RAPE – Amends existing law to revise a provision regarding the punishment for rape.

This bill proposes to amend Idaho's rape sentencing laws by establishing a minimum prison term of five years for rape convictions, with the possibility of extending the sentence to life imprisonment at the judge's discretion. The legislation directly affects individuals convicted of rape in Idaho by setting a new mandatory minimum punishment that replaces previous sentencing guidelines. The bill includes technical corrections to the existing statute and declares an emergency to allow the changes to take effect on July 1, 2026, rather than waiting for the standard legislative timeline.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases mandatory minimum sentences for rape, restricting judicial discretion and expanding criminal penalties90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Judges Sentencing

Track

in committee · Idaho · House Mar 23, 2026

H 819: MINORS – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding material harmful to minors.

This bill updates Idaho laws regarding material harmful to minors by clarifying definitions and revising provisions related to schools and libraries. It directly affects parents, educators, librarians, and businesses that distribute content to minors under 18. The bill establishes specific criteria for what constitutes "harmful to minors," including nudity, sexual conduct, and sado-masochistic abuse, while excluding educational, religious, or artistic works with serious value. It prohibits knowingly giving, selling, or making available sexually explicit material harmful to minors and extends these protections to private schools and public libraries. The law carries misdemeanor penalties of up to one year in jail or a $1,000 fine for violations.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization of minors by defining harmful material and restricting access, limiting free speech protections for educational content.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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signed · Idaho · Senate Mar 23, 2026

S 1296: CRIMINAL TRESPASS – Amends existing law to provide for criminal trespass of a church and to provide a penalty.

Idaho's S 1296 amends criminal trespass law to specifically address unauthorized entry into churches or houses of worship. The bill adds that entering such properties without permission, with the intent to intimidate, harass, disrupt services, or disturb religious gatherings, becomes a misdemeanor. Penalties include fines up to $1,000 or up to six months in jail for first offenses, with harsher penalties for repeat violations. This directly affects individuals who trespass on religious properties with malicious intent, expanding existing trespass statutes to protect places of worship.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by creating new misdemeanor penalties for church trespass, increasing penalties for specific religious property offenses.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

passed · Idaho · House Mar 6, 2026

H 685: CRIMES AND PUNISHMENT – Adds to existing law to prohibit the use of a mask or disguise during a criminal offense and to provide for a sentencing enhancement.

Idaho's H 685 prohibits individuals from wearing masks or disguises while committing specific crimes, including felonies, assault, battery, indecent exposure, or sexual offenses. If convicted under this law, offenders face additional penalties: up to $2,500 in fines, up to one year in jail, or both, on top of their original sentence. Law enforcement officers are exempt from this rule when performing their duties. The bill does not replace existing laws but adds these specific penalties for covered offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds sentencing enhancements for mask-wearing during crimes, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization of specific conduct.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Sentencing

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in committee · Idaho · House Jan 27, 2026

H 489: CRIMES AND PUNISHMENT – Adds to existing law to prohibit the use of a mask or disguise during a criminal offense and to provide for a sentencing enhancement.

This bill prohibits individuals from wearing masks, hoods, or face-covering devices while committing or attempting to commit any other criminal offense in Idaho. It adds an additional penalty of up to $2,500 in fines, up to one year in jail, or both on top of the sentence for the original crime. The law does not replace existing penalties under other laws and applies to any crime where the offender conceals their face. The bill is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026, if passed.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds sentencing enhancement for face concealment during crimes, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization per bill language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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in committee · Idaho · House Jan 19, 2026

H 490: RECKLESS DRIVING – Amends existing law to revise a provision regarding reckless driving.

Idaho bill H 490 revises the state's reckless driving law (Idaho Code §49-1401). It adds a specific prohibition against passing when a lane line indicates a sight distance restriction and clarifies that driving 20+ mph over the speed limit in school or construction zones constitutes reckless driving. The bill creates a new "inattentive driving" offense for less severe cases (e.g., minor carelessness), punishable by up to 90 days in jail or a $300 fine, while maintaining tiered penalties for reckless driving: first-time offenders face up to 6 months jail or $1,000 fine, and repeat offenders within 5 years face up to 1 year jail or $2,000 fine plus automatic license suspension. This law directly affects drivers convicted of these traffic violations, with changes taking effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds new 'inattentive driving' offense with penalties, expanding criminalization per oppose indicators (increases criminalization, not reform).95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAmends reckless driving law to prohibit passing in sight-restricted zones and increase penalties for speeding in school/construction zones, enhancing road safety standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Driver Licensing

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passed · Idaho · House Feb 3, 2026

H 493: COMMERCIAL SEXUAL ACTIVITY – Amends existing law to revise the penalty for soliciting commercial sexual activity.

This bill (H 493) revises penalties for soliciting commercial sexual activity in Idaho. It directly affects individuals who pay, offer to pay, or arrange for others to engage in sexual contact for compensation. Key provisions set mandatory minimum jail terms: 5 days for those aged 18-20 (first offense, misdemeanor), increasing to 6 months for those 21+ (always a felony). The bill also specifies that courts cannot suspend or reduce these minimum sentences and takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeSets mandatory minimum sentences without judicial discretion, increasing punitive measures for soliciting sex work per Idaho's sentencing structure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Human Trafficking Sentencing

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signed · Idaho · House Mar 20, 2026

H 541: ENTICING A CHILD – Amends existing law to revise a provision regarding enticing a child through use of the internet or other communication device.

Idaho bill H 541 amends state law to strengthen penalties for using digital communication to target minors. It revises the definition of "child" to include individuals aged 16-17 if the perpetrator is at least five years older, and expands coverage to all communication devices (not just the internet) used to solicit or entice minors into sexual acts. The law removes the requirement for prosecutors to prove an actual sexual act occurred, making it a felony to merely attempt such enticement. This affects individuals using digital means to target minors, with penalties up to 15 years in prison.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by making mere online enticement of minors a felony without requiring proof of actual sexual acts, strengthening penalties for digital exploitation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections