Idaho's 2026 Session: Public Safety and Criminal Law Bills That Passed

Makes AI-generated explicit images of minors a felony; criminalizes sextortion threats

Strengthened protections against technology-facilitated abuse in two ways: made it a felony to disclose AI-generated or synthetic explicit images of a minor, and criminalized threats to disclose real intimate images of minors as a means of extortion or coercion. The bill closed gaps that left victims without a clear legal remedy when offenders used fabricated images rather than real ones. It passed both chambers without a dissenting vote.

House 68–0 · Senate 35–0 · Rep. Brooke Green (D)

Removes statute of limitations for aggravated child sex crimes and exploitative material production

Extended the list of felony offenses that may be prosecuted at any time after commission — with no statute of limitations — to include aggravated lewd conduct with a child and the production of sexually exploitative material involving a child. Previously, prosecutors faced filing deadlines even for these serious offenses if the crime was not discovered or reported promptly. The change aligns these crimes with murder and certain rape offenses, which already carry no time limit.

House 64–0 · Senate 34–0 · Rep. Bruce Skaug (R)

Extends sex offender residency restrictions to unlicensed daycares

Closed a gap in Idaho's sex offender residency law by extending the existing 500-foot buffer zone to daycares that are zoned, permitted, or approved by a city or county — not just those with a state license. Under prior law, offenders were restricted from living near state-licensed facilities but not near legally operating unlicensed ones. The bill did not expand licensing requirements.

House 68–0 · Senate 34–0 · Sen. Tammy Nichols (R)

Clarifies the definition of "residence" for sex offender registration

Established objective time and frequency standards for when a location counts as an offender's "residence" under the sex offender registry law. Also clarified how residency applies to homeless offenders and preserved existing exceptions allowing registered offenders to live within 500 feet of a school or daycare when residing in licensed incarceration, hospital, or convalescent care facilities. Sponsors cited inconsistent enforcement across jurisdictions as the motivation.

House 69–0 · Senate 33–0 · Rep. Judy Boyle (R)

Modernizes Idaho's Son of Sam law — criminals may not profit from crime notoriety

Updated Idaho law to ensure that convicted criminals cannot profit from books, interviews, or other media deals based on the notoriety of their crimes, while preserving First Amendment protections. Establishes a court-supervised escrow process for proceeds derived from criminal notoriety, gives victims notice and time to pursue restitution claims from those funds, and places distribution decisions under judicial oversight. Passed with one dissenting House vote.

House 67–1 · Senate 33–0 · Sen. Tammy Nichols (R)

Creates a criminal trespass offense for entering a church with intent to disrupt worship

Established a specific criminal trespass offense for entering or remaining on church or house-of-worship premises when one's presence is clearly not permitted and the intent is to intimidate, harass, or disrupt a religious service. Sponsors cited increasing incidents of threats against religious gatherings nationally. Both elements — unauthorized presence and specific intent to disrupt — must be proven for conviction. Passed both chambers unanimously.

House 70–0 · Senate 33–0 · Sen. Kelly Arthur Anthon (R)

Extends FBI fingerprint screening authority to private entities serving vulnerable populations

Amended Idaho law to allow private entities that serve vulnerable populations — such as private childcare providers and healthcare staffing agencies — to submit fingerprints for FBI background checks. Previously, the explicit statutory authority required by the FBI existed only for state agencies. Without the change, these entities faced a narrowing pathway to access federal criminal history records for applicant screening.

House 69–0 · Senate 34–0 · Rep. Mike Pohanka (R)

Allows enhanced concealed carry training in smaller group or one-on-one formats

Updated Idaho's enhanced concealed carry licensing law to permit required training to be delivered in smaller-group or individual instruction formats in addition to traditional classroom settings. Also recognized experienced nationally certified firearms instructors as eligible to provide instruction on Idaho firearms law. Sponsors framed it as improving training quality and accessibility while maintaining the existing standards.

House 68–0 · Senate 33–0 · Rep. Charlie Shepherd (R)

Creates civil penalties for local governments that violate state firearms preemption law

Added teeth to Idaho's existing firearms preemption statute, which bars cities, counties, and other local government entities from enacting firearms regulations that conflict with state law. Under the new law, an entity that willfully violates preemption can face a civil penalty and a permanent injunction. The Attorney General must give the entity 30 days to cure the violation before court proceedings may proceed. Passed with small opposition in both chambers.

House 60–8 · Senate 31–3 · Sen. Josh Keyser (R)