All Roll Calls
Yes: 104 • No: 0
IdahoH 05402026 regular legislative sessionHouse
PUBLIC RECORDS ACT – Amends existing law to provide that certain records of the Department of Juvenile Corrections shall be exempt from disclosure.
Sponsored By: JUDICIARY, RULES AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
Signed by Governor
PUBLIC RECORDS ACT
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Security plans for infrastructure kept private
Beginning July 1, 2026, agencies may withhold records about critical infrastructure when release would likely risk people's or public safety. This covers evacuation and emergency response plans, vulnerability studies, operation or security manuals, plans, blueprints, and security codes. Spending records remain public.
Police files and gun licenses private
Beginning July 1, 2026, police investigatory files are not public. Records about applicants and licensees held by sheriffs or the state police under Idaho gun license laws are also private. Law-enforcement officers and agencies can still access the license record system as allowed by law.
Prison, parole, and offender records private
Beginning July 1, 2026, certain prison and juvenile-corrections records are confidential when safety, security, or rehabilitation needs outweigh disclosure. This includes victim or witness identifiers, plans for future prisoner or juvenile transport, presentence reports, and observation and assessment records. One prisoner or probationer cannot see another's records. Pardons and parole records are also private, including victims' names, addresses, and written statements. Written votes to label someone a violent sexual predator are confidential and may be requested only by the governor and certain legislative chairs for lawful purposes.
Juvenile and child-welfare records stay private
Beginning July 1, 2026, juvenile justice records are not open to the public. Facts may be shared for children age 13 or younger with researchers or agencies that protect or treat them. If a juvenile is charged with an offense that would be a crime for an adult, the name, charge, and result can be released as state law allows. Schools where the juvenile is enrolled or seeking enrollment can get facts from the record. Records from the custody review board stay private, including victims' and families' names, addresses, and written statements. Health and Welfare investigation records about child protection, youth rehab, adoptions, and mental-health commitments are confidential, but the department may share them for health or safety, the child's best interest, or the public interest.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
JUDICIARY, RULES AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Erin M. Bingham
Republican • House
Doug Ricks
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/16/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 35 • No: 0
House vote • 2/11/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 69 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Reported Signed by Governor on March 19, 2026 Session Law Chapter 61 Effective: 07/01/2026
3/20/2026Delivered to Governor at 4:22 p.m. on March 18, 2026
3/19/2026Received from the House enrolled/signed by Speaker
3/18/2026SenateReturned from Senate Passed; to JRA for Enrolling
3/17/2026HouseRead third time in full – PASSED - 35-0-0
3/16/2026HouseRead second time; filed for Third Reading
3/11/2026HouseReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
3/10/2026HouseReceived from the House passed; filed for first reading
2/12/2026SenateRead Third Time in Full – PASSED - 69-0-1
2/11/2026HouseU.C. to hold place on third reading calendar one legislative day
2/10/2026HouseRead second time; Filed for Third Reading
2/9/2026HouseReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading
2/6/2026HouseReported Printed and Referred to Judiciary, Rules & Administration
1/29/2026HouseIntroduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing
1/28/2026House
Bill Text
Bill Text
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