House Judiciary panel hears bill to allow case-by-case law-enforcement certification for people with past convictions

The Idaho House Judiciary and Rules Committee on March 17 heard testimony on Senate Bill 1139, a measure that would let hiring agencies and the state POST council consider, on a case-by-case basis, certifying applicants who have certain past convictions that current law bars automatically.

Supporters, including Rep. Charlie Shepherd, said the bill targets people who have been rehabilitated and would not change the automatic disqualification for the most serious felonies. "What this Senate bill 11 39 is about is about how long are we gonna continue to punish people after they have done their time and now we want to put them back in the workforce and let them become productive part of society again," Shepherd said.

Sheriff Chris Getz, testifying for the Sheriffs Association, said current Idaho law treats any felony…