The bill amends Section 18-6402 of the Idaho Code to redefine the legal consequences of participating in a riot. It establishes that a riot is classified as a felony under specific circumstances: if it occurs at a penal facility or involves taking hostages, if the damage to property exceeds $500, or if it results in physical injury to any person. The penalties for these felony offenses include imprisonment ranging from five years to twenty years, or fines up to $25,000 for hostage situations, and up to $10,000 for property damage or physical injury. The bill also clarifies that a riot is considered a misdemeanor in all other cases, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000.

In addition to these changes, the bill makes technical corrections to the language used in the statute, such as replacing "subsection" with "paragraph" in the context of the penalties. The bill declares an emergency, indicating that it will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 18-6402