BOISE, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — The Idaho House has passed a controversial bill, despite concerns raised by its sponsor about its constitutionality, which would authorize the death penalty for individuals convicted of specific sex crimes against children under 12 years old.
Rep. Bruce Skaug, R-Nampa, who co-sponsored the bill alongside Rep. Josh Tanner, R-Eagle, emphasized that House Bill 515 aims to impose the severest punishment for the most atrocious crimes committed against young children. He likened HB-515’s severity to that of first-degree murder.
Skaug stated, “There is a deep, dark, dark side in our culture, and it’s our job to protect the children. There are times when things are so wicked that retribution is appropriate. It would be very rare that this case would happen, but it will happen. And I say to you when you see that case, you read it in the newspaper you’re going to say this is the once case this needs to happen.”
The bill’s proponents express hope that, if enacted, the U.S. Supreme Court will examine the Idaho legislation and potentially broaden the scope of eligibility for the death penalty through a ruling.