Bill > H0380

This bill establishes new and enhanced legal provisions regarding sexual offenses involving minors in Idaho, specifically creating two new categories of felony offenses: aggravated lewd conduct with a minor child under sixteen and aggravated lewd conduct with a minor child twelve or under. These offenses apply to individuals 18 years or older who commit lewd acts with minors, including various types of sexual contact, with severe potential punishments ranging from lengthy prison sentences to the death penalty. The bill introduces detailed lists of aggravating factors that can increase the severity of sentencing, such as kidnapping, using a position of trust, causing bodily injury, or involving multiple victims. For aggravated lewd conduct with a child twelve or under, the bill allows for the death penalty if three specific statutory aggravating circumstances are proven, and mandates a life sentence with a minimum 30-year non-parole period if two aggravating circumstances are found. The legislation also amends existing laws to require sex offender registration for these new offenses and specifies that offenders will not be eligible for parole, sentence reduction, or other early release provisions during their minimum confinement term. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and includes a severability clause to ensure that if any part of the act is found invalid, the remaining portions will still stand.