H03062025 Regular Session

Repeals and adds to existing law to provide for the crime of criminal libel, to provide penalties, to provide for restitution to a victim, and to provide for jurisdiction to prosecute.

CRIMINAL LIBEL -- Repeals and adds to existing law to provide for the crime of criminal libel, to provide penalties, to provide for restitution to a victim, and to provide for jurisdiction to prosecute.

CRIMINAL LIBEL

IntroducedIn CommitteeFloor VoteEnacted

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

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In the age of the internet and social media, malicious lies are increasingly capable of destroying the life and reputation of innocent people. To help prevent this problem from growing further, this legislation creates a felonycrimeofcriminallibel. Thiswouldapplywhenapersonpublishesfalsestatementsaboutanotherperson, knowing that the statements are false, or with reckless disregard as to whether they are true or false.

FISCAL NOTE

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Based on Wisconsin’s experience with a similar law, Idaho could expect approximately one prosecution per year and one conviction for this crime every three years. As a non-violent felony, a suspended sentence and probation is the most likely sentencing outcome for a conviction. Probation costs would likely be $2,700 per year, starting in FY27. As a very low frequency criminal prosecution, no additional prosecution staffing should be required.