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Committee advances solicitation bill that raises felony threshold for adults 21 and older
Summary
HB 493, revising solicitation penalties, was sent to the floor 9–4. Sponsor Britt Raybould said the change targets buyers and repeat offenders and supports trafficking prosecutions; members debated age carve-outs and proportionality.
The committee voted 9–4 to advance House Bill 493, which rewrites the solicitation statute to make solicitation a felony on a first offense for people aged 21 or older while preserving misdemeanor treatment for 18–20 year olds on a first offense.
Representative Britt Raybould, sponsor of HB 493, said the change is intended to strengthen prosecution and reduce demand that supports human trafficking. "This is a backstop against those existing statutes as it relates to human trafficking," Raybould said and cited an estimated 31 solicitation-related incidents reported to Idaho State Police in 2024.
Supporters including Representative Schertz and some prosecutors argued that tougher penalties against buyers and repeat offenders are necessary because prosecutors often decline complex trafficking prosecutions when only a misdemeanor is available. "You gotta hit the supply side," Representative Schertz said, arguing stronger penalties for buyers help protect victims.
Opponents and some members raised concerns about severity and proportionality. Representative Alfieri warned the bill makes a first offense a felony for adults 21 and over with a maximum sentence and fine included in the bill (up to three years behind bars or up to $10,000 fine), calling that a severe penalty for a first offense.
After debate about age carve-outs, diversion and enforcing the law, the committee sent HB 493 to the House floor with a due-pass recommendation by roll call, 9–4.
