Idaho Bill Aims to Expand Child Enticement Penalties

Proposed legislation would extend criminal penalties to victims aged 16 and 17

Jan. 27, 2026 at 10:07pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A new bill introduced in the Idaho Legislature would expand the criminal penalties for online sexual enticement of a child to apply when the victim is under the age of 18, up from the current limit of 16 years old. The bill, introduced by Rep. Steve Tanner, R-Nampa, is intended to close a loophole and be consistent with other laws regarding the age of consent.

Why it matters

The proposed change aims to better protect older teenagers from online predators by extending the same criminal penalties that currently apply to victims under 16. Supporters say this will help law enforcement prosecute cases involving 16- and 17-year-olds, who are still minors and vulnerable to exploitation.

The details

Under current Idaho law, it is a felony for an adult, age 18 or older, to use the internet or a communication device to solicit, seduce, lure, persuade or entice a person under age 16 to engage in sexual acts. The new bill would add the felony penalty if the victim was 16 or 17 years old and the perpetrator was at least five years older. This is intended to avoid "Romeo and Juliet" scenarios where both parties are teenagers.

  • The bill was introduced on Tuesday, January 28, 2026 in the Idaho Legislature.
  • The House Judiciary and Rules Committee unanimously introduced the legislation without discussion. It will be eligible for a full public hearing at a later date.

The players

Rep. Steve Tanner

A Republican state representative from Nampa, Idaho who introduced the draft bill.

Idaho Attorney General's Internet Crimes Against Children team

The team that discussed the issue with Rep. Tanner, leading to the introduction of the proposed legislation.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'That avoids what we call Romeo and Juliet sort of scenarios,'”

— Rep. Steve Tanner, State Representative

What’s next

The bill will be eligible to return to the House Judiciary and Rules Committee for a full public hearing at a later date.

The takeaway

This proposed legislation aims to close a loophole in Idaho's laws around the sexual exploitation of minors, extending protections to 16- and 17-year-olds who are still vulnerable to online predators. If passed, it would bring Idaho's laws more in line with other statutes regarding the age of consent.