Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding interviews of alleged child abuse victims.

LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO Sixty-eighth Legislature Second Regular Session - 2026 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HOUSE BILL NO. 680 BY JUDICIARY, RULES AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE AN ACT1 RELATING TO INTERVIEWS OF ALLEGED CHILD ABUSE VICTIMS; AMENDING SECTION2 16-1618, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE THAT ALL INTERVIEWS OF ALLEGED VICTIMS3 OF CHILD ABUSE SHALL BE DOCUMENTED BY AUDIO OR VIDEO TAPING; AND DECLAR-4 ING AN EMERGENCY AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.5

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:6

SECTION 1. That Section 16-1618, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby7 amended to read as follows:8 16-1618. INVESTIGATIVE INTERVIEWS OF ALLEGED CHILD ABUSE VICTIMS. Un-9 less otherwise demonstrated by good cause, all investigative or risk10 assessment interviews of alleged victims of child abuse will, including11 but not limited to safety assessments, investigative interviews, and risk12 assessment interviews, shall be documented by audio or video taping whether13 conducted by personnel of law enforcement entities, the department of health14 and welfare or child advocacy centers. The absence of such audio or video15 taping shall not limit the admissibility of such evidence in any related16 court proceeding.17

SECTION 2. An emergency existing therefor, which emergency is hereby18 declared to exist, this act shall be in full force and effect on and after19 July 1, 2026.20