Committee advances H380 to floor, creates aggravated offenses and mandatory minimums for lewd conduct with minors

The Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee voted to send House Bill 380 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation after a presentation by the sponsor and testimony from prosecutors, victims and other witnesses.

Representative Hill, the bill sponsor, said, “This bill introduces critical updates to Idaho's lewd conduct with a minor statute.” Hill told the committee the proposal creates new aggravated offenses and mandatory minimums for the most severe crimes, and that it was revised after consultation with the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association.

Under the bill as presented, there would be no change for cases that lack aggravating factors; the bill targets “the worst of the worst,” Hill said. Key provisions described in committee include a new offense of aggravated lewd conduct for conduct involving…