04/02/2026
I just want to take a moment to talk about a piece of legislation (HB683) that was recently signed by Governor Little. I had the chance to work on this alongside Representative Judy Boyle, and it’s something that really matters to our community.
What this bill does is clear up the rules around where s*x offenders can live and clarifies the definition of residency. It removes an exemption that allowed convalescent care facilities to house s*x offenders if they were within 500 feet of a school or daycare. Here in Weiser, we have two of these facilities within 500 feet of a school. Before this change, there was a real possibility that offenders could have been placed there, putting them closer to children than any of us would be comfortable with.
This legislation strengthens our s*x offender laws and helps better protect our kids and our neighborhoods. It will officially go into effect on July 1, 2026.
I also want to take a moment to thank the people who helped make this happen. Idaho Sheriff’s Association, The Offender Watch Committee, Representative Boyle did the work of writing the bill and carrying it in the House, Representative Shirts helped move it through committee, and Senator Shippy carried it on the Senate side and helped get it across the finish line.
Sheriff Matt Thomas
