Bill increases penalty for attacking Idaho parks officers

Legislation to increase penalties for a person who attacks an Idaho Parks and Recreation employee authorized to enforce state laws has been introduced.

Republican Sen. Dan Johnson of Lewiston brought forward the legislation Monday in the Senate Judiciary Rules Committee.

The change would make the punishment for assaulting an Idaho parks compliance enforcement officer the same as assaulting police officers, public defenders, correctional officers, firefighter and others.

Johnson says a parks employee was attacked in Hells Gate State Park last year, but a judge dismissed the case because the charges were filed under an Idaho code that doesn’t include parks employees.

If the bill becomes law, attacking a parks enforcement officer with the intent to commit a serious felony could result in a 25-year prison sentence.