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Idaho Legislature passes bill to expand prison sex abuse law
House Bill 696 expands felony charges for prison staff sexual abuse to include all willful physical contact, addressing gaps in law after 37 accused in a decade, just three charged.
- On Tuesday, the Idaho Senate passed House Bill 696, which simplifies prosecuting prison staff for sexual abuse; the legislation now awaits final approval from Governor Brad Little.
- Current statutes, over 30 years old, restrict definitions of abuse to genital contact, often failing to address incidents like groping. InvestigateWest reporters found 37 prison workers accused of sexual misconduct in the last decade, with most avoiding consequences.
- The legislation classifies willful physical contact for sexual gratification as a felony. This update aligns state regulations with federal standards under the Prison Rape Elimination Act, prohibiting inappropriate touching and harassment.
- Idaho Falls Republican Rep. Marco Erickson and Middleton Republican Sen. Tammy Nichols sponsored the measure, which received 34 votes in favor. The Department of Correction supports the bill, stating it "gives us more teeth."
- Governor Little's communications director, Emily Callihan, did not respond to inquiries regarding his plans to sign the legislation. Previously, the governor's office supported concealing officer employment histories, complicating efforts to ensure accountability.
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Associated Press News+6 Reposted by 6 other sources
Idaho Legislature passes bill to expand prison sex abuse law
A bill that would make it easier for prosecutors to charge prison staff accused of sexually abusing inmates passed the Idaho Senate on Tuesday and is now awaiting final approval from Gov.
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Total News Sources7
Leaning Left3Leaning Right0Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Center
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources are Center
57% Center
L 43%
C 57%
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