Sen. Joyce Broadsword
The Idaho Senate on Tuesday passed two bills aimed at toughening sentences for those who injure children and helping social workers place such abuse victims into foster care.
Both measures, brought by Sen. Joyce Broadsword, R-Sagle, passed unanimously and now head to the House.
Her first measure boosts the maximum sentence to 20 years, from 10 years now, for those convicted of felony injury to a child that results in great bodily harm, permanent disability or permanent disfigurement.
With the second, she wants to add felony injury to a child to those offenses where the Department of Health and Welfare need not seek reunification with the parent. The agency could seek foster care, avoiding a lengthy court process that’s not in a child’s best interest. (AP)
