Bill > S1139

This bill amends the Idaho Code related to the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Council's authority to reject certification for law enforcement applicants with certain criminal histories. Specifically, the bill expands the council's ability to reject applicants who have been convicted of felonies, including those that have been set aside, expunged, pardoned, or reduced to a misdemeanor. The bill clarifies that the council shall reject applicants convicted of felonies enumerated in section 18-310(2) or substantially equivalent offenses from other jurisdictions. The bill also broadens the definition of "convicted" to include pleas or findings of guilt, regardless of the form of judgment, suspension, or deferral, and even if the case is later dismissed or reduced under rehabilitation-focused statutes. This means that even if a criminal conviction is technically cleared or reduced, it can still be grounds for rejecting a law enforcement certification. The bill will go into effect on July 1, 2025, and is designed to maintain high standards for law enforcement personnel by preventing individuals with certain criminal backgrounds from becoming certified peace officers.

Justice

State Affairs Committee (S)

https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2025/legislation/S1139/