Senate approves bill adding aggravated child lewd conduct with mandatory minimums and death-penalty option

The Idaho Senate passed House Bill 3‑80 on a 30‑5 vote, approving new “aggravated lewd conduct” offenses that add mandatory minimum sentences for the most serious sexual offenses against children and, for the narrowest set of aggravating circumstances, allow for life or the death penalty.

Supporters said the bill fills a perceived gap in Idaho sentencing. Senator Ricks, the bill sponsor, told the Senate the bill "introduces critical updates to Idaho's lewd conduct statute, aligning our laws with those of other states to ensure appropriate sentencing for the most egregious child offenders." Ricks also warned the bill could prompt constitutional challenges and referenced the 2008 Supreme Court decision Kennedy v. Louisiana as background to that…