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 destruction of property exceeds $500, or if it results in physical injury to any person. The penalties for these felony offenses include imprisonment ranging from five to twenty years and fines up to $25,000 for hostage situations, or up to $10,000 for property damage and physical injury. Additionally, the bill 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.

The bill also makes technical corrections to the language used in the statute, specifically changing the term "subsection" to "paragraph" in the context of the riot definitions. Furthermore, it declares an emergency, stating that the act will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 18-6402