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IdahoS 14482026 regular legislative sessionSenateWALLET

MINORS – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding material harmful to minors.

Sponsored By: JUDICIARY AND RULES COMMITTEE

Signed by Governor

MINORS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Content retailers face tighter location limits

Beginning July 1, 2026, Idaho extends its 2,500-foot business-location limit to stores meeting a 10% printed-inventory threshold. At least 10% of printed materials held for sale or rent must be both sexually explicit and harmful to minors. Distance is measured in a straight line to the nearest entrance of a school, church, or place of worship. The existing location restriction for sellers of obscene material remains, and violations are misdemeanors. Courts can issue temporary restraining orders and permanent injunctions; the law provides bond-free relief and bars recovery of damages, costs, or attorney fees for enforcement acts. Cities and counties retain authority to regulate these businesses’ locations.

New content standards with teen exemptions

Beginning July 1, 2026, Idaho changes its test for material harmful to minors; minors remain people under 18. The test considers the whole work, its appeal to sexual interests, and whether its sexual content clearly offends prevailing adult standards. Works with serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for teens ages 13–17 are excluded. The separate definition of sexually explicit material excludes scientific anatomy diagrams, religious texts such as the Bible and Torah, and certain classical art. Covered media include books, pictures, sound recordings, movies, and other media.

Parents gain claims over restricted library content

Beginning July 1, 2026, Idaho schools and public libraries cannot promote or provide minors material that is both sexually explicit and harmful to minors. Minors or their parents or legal guardians can sue over access or a failure to take reasonable steps to restrict access. They must first request relocation to an adults-only area in writing, and the institution must fail to relocate it within 60 days. Available relief includes $250 in statutory damages, actual damages, and court orders to stop violations. County prosecutors and the attorney general can also seek court orders. Defenses include reasonably believing the person was 18 or older, or access authorized by an accompanying parent or guardian. Each institution must have a review policy and an easy-to-find request form explaining both legal content standards.

Penalties for providing sexual content to minors

Beginning July 1, 2026, Idaho bars knowingly giving, making available, or promoting material to minors that is both sexually explicit and harmful to minors. This also covers possession with intent to promote and sales or loans to minors for payment. Violations carry up to one year in county jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. Related rules cover showing movies or similar content to minors, admitting minors, and providing admission tickets or passes. New public-display misdemeanors cover uncovered genitals, sex acts, and masturbation visible from public areas or transportation facilities. They also cover visible depictions of sado-masochistic abuse when a resident owner objects.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • JUDICIARY AND RULES COMMITTEE

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Todd M. Lakey

    Republican • Senate

  • Bruce D. Skaug

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 82 • No: 17

House vote • 4/2/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 54 • No: 11

Senate vote • 4/1/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 28 • No: 6

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor on 04/10/26 Session Law Chapter 343 Effective: 07/01/2026

    4/2/2026

  2. Reported delivered to Governor at 5 p.m. on 04/02/26

    4/2/2026

  3. Reported signed by the Speaker & ordered delivered to Governor

    4/2/2026

  4. Received from Senate; Signed by Speaker; Returned to Senate

    4/2/2026House

  5. Reported enrolled; signed by President; to House for signature of Speaker

    4/2/2026Senate

  6. Returned From House Passed; referred to enrolling

    4/2/2026Senate

  7. Rules Suspended: Ayes 62 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 8, read in full as required – PASSED - 54-11-5

    4/2/2026House

  8. Read second time; Filed for Third Reading

    4/2/2026House

  9. Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading

    4/1/2026House

  10. Read First Time, Referred to Judiciary, Rules & Administration

    4/1/2026House

  11. Received from the Senate, Filed for First Reading

    4/1/2026House

  12. Rules Suspended (2/3 Vote - Read in full as required) – Read third time in full – PASSED - 28-6-1

    4/1/2026Senate

  13. Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading

    4/1/2026Senate

  14. Reported Printed; referred to Judiciary & Rules

    3/30/2026Senate

  15. Introduced; read first time; referred to JR for Printing

    3/30/2026Senate

Bill Text

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