Criminal Justice

signed · Idaho · House Mar 23, 2026

H 777: UNIFORM CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding controlled substances.

Idaho's H 777 updates the state's controlled substances laws by adding specific fentanyl variants (like acetyl fentanyl, beta-methyl fentanyl, and 3-methylthiofentanyl) to Schedule I, the highest control category. It also broadens the definition of "fentanyl-related substances" to include any structurally similar compounds, covering new analogs not explicitly listed. This directly affects pharmacies, hospitals, and law enforcement by requiring stricter handling, registration, and record-keeping for these substances. The bill also makes technical corrections to provisions on drug prescriptions, storage, and disciplinary actions related to controlled substances.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds fentanyl variants to Schedule I, expanding criminalization of drug offenses and increasing penalties, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of expanded criminalization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement

signed · Idaho · House Mar 25, 2026

H 727: SEX CRIMES – Amends existing law to revise a provision regarding video voyeurism and to revise a penalty for disclosing explicit synthetic media.

H 727 updates Idaho's laws on video voyeurism and the disclosure of realistic computer-generated media (like deepfakes). It revises definitions to better protect privacy, clarifying what constitutes "intimate areas" and places where people reasonably expect privacy, such as changing rooms or bedrooms. The bill creates a new offense for knowingly sharing synthetic media depicting an identifiable person in sexual acts or intimate areas without consent - this is a misdemeanor, but becomes a felony (up to 10 years in prison or $25,000 fine) if the victim is under 18 or the person has a prior conviction. This directly affects individuals who create or share such media without consent and law enforcement handling related cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new offense for non-consensual deepfakes and clarifies privacy protections, strengthening victim safeguards under sex offenses law.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill criminalizes non-consensual deepfake sharing to protect privacy, directly addressing synthetic media misuse under tech regulation for consumer safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

passed · Idaho · House Feb 13, 2026

H 579: JUSTIFIABLE HOMICIDE – Amends existing law to revise a provision regarding justifiable homicide.

This bill amends Idaho's justifiable homicide law (Section 18-4009) to clarify when force is justified in defense of property or persons. It directly affects individuals claiming self-defense during unlawful entries into homes, businesses, or vehicles. The key change adds a presumption: if someone unlawfully enters a habitation, business, or vehicle by force or stealth, they are presumed to intend to commit a felony. This shifts the burden of proof in such cases, making it easier to establish self-defense under specific entry scenarios. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill shifts burden of proof to prosecution in self-defense claims, strengthening defendant rights under criminal justice procedures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

Track

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

Track

signed · Idaho · Senate Mar 30, 2026

S 1260: IMMIGRATION COOPERATION AND ENFORCEMENT ACT – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding illegal entry, to remove provisions regarding illegal entry, and to provide for certain affirmative defenses.

This Idaho bill (S 1260) revises state laws governing immigration enforcement. It removes outdated provisions about illegal entry, clarifies definitions (like "illegal alien" and "dangerous crime"), and changes penalties: first illegal entry becomes a misdemeanor, repeat offenses a felony. The law requires police to enforce these rules only when someone is detained for unrelated crimes, and adds specific defenses (e.g., having federal permission to stay, asylum status, or DACA approval between 2012-2021). It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReduces first illegal entry to misdemeanor, adds asylum/DACA defenses, aligns with reform by limiting criminalization and protecting rights.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationAdds affirmative defenses for DACA/asylum holders, shielding them from state prosecution under immigration enforcement, aligning with 'protect DACA recipients' indicator.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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

Track

signed · Idaho · House Apr 1, 2026

H 522: UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding unmanned aircraft systems near Department of Correction facilities.

H 522 establishes a "drone no-fly zone" around Idaho's correctional facilities, creating a 400-foot restricted airspace above prison grounds. It prohibits drones from operating in this zone for any illegal or dangerous purpose (like spying or smuggling), making violations a misdemeanor punishable by fines of $2,000-$5,000 or up to one year in jail. Correctional facilities and law enforcement may use legal methods - such as jamming or physical capture - to disrupt drones operating "in a nefarious manner" within this zone. The law requires drone operators to know these restrictions, with ignorance not excused as a defense.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens prison security by prohibiting drones near facilities to prevent smuggling/spying, directly supporting correctional safety within criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

in committee · Idaho · House Jan 21, 2026

H 499: UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding unmanned aircraft systems near Department of Correction facilities.

Idaho's H 499 prohibits drones within two nautical miles of correctional facility boundaries, defining this area as "restricted airspace." The law allows correctional facilities and law enforcement to use countermeasures like jamming or physical capture to disable drones operating illegally near prisons, and requires drone operators to know these restrictions. Violators face fines of $2,000-$5,000 or up to one year in jail, plus forfeiture of the drone. The bill directly affects drone operators near prisons and grants authorities clear legal tools to address security threats.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDirectly enhances prison security by restricting drone access near correctional facilities, strengthening operational safety within the corrections system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Idaho · House Feb 13, 2026

H 525: EXECUTION – Amends existing law to provide that procedures used in an execution shall not be subject to rulemaking, judicial review, or certain other provisions.

This Idaho bill (H 525) changes execution procedures for the death penalty. It establishes firing squad as the default method (replacing lethal injection) unless the director certifies lethal injection is available, and explicitly states that execution procedures cannot be challenged through rulemaking, judicial review, or other legal processes. The bill also adds confidentiality protections for individuals involved in executions and exempts execution participants from medical licensing rules and liability claims. These changes apply to all future executions, regardless of when the death sentence was issued.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill prevents judicial review of execution methods, weakening oversight and reducing legal challenges to death penalty procedures.95% confidence

Track

signed · Idaho · Senate Mar 18, 2026

S 1232: CRIME VICTIMS – Repeals and adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding proceeds derived from criminal notoriety.

This bill repeals Idaho Code section 19-5301 and establishes Chapter 63, the "Idaho Son of Sam Law," requiring payments to offenders from crime-related publicity (e.g., book deals, interviews, or paid appearances) to be placed into a state escrow account for five years. Victims of crimes can claim these funds through court orders during the escrow period, while offenders receive any remaining money after five years if no valid claims are filed. The law explicitly excludes regular wages, unrelated income, works that only briefly mention the crime, and news/documented works with standard interview fees. It clarifies the law regulates only money earned from crime publicity, not free speech, and imposes civil penalties for noncompliance.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates victim compensation from offender proceeds via escrow, aligning with victim protection in criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights