The ease and speed with which the legislation was passed unmistakeably shows that Almighty God blessed this bill. Representative Dixon and Senator Toews did an amazing job of carrying the bill through their respective chambers. It was signed by Governor Little on April 1, 2024 and will go into effect July 1, 2024. When I began drafting the bill, only Texas and Mississippi had similar laws. The Texas law, like the similar 1997 federal law, however, didn't provide immunity for the church, only for the security team members. The Idaho bill provided immunity for both. Thank you Keith for an excellent article that did a great job of fully covering the legislation. I have been invited to present next week an overview of the effects of the new Idaho law to the church security team in Sandpoint that asked for the bill to be drafted, and I am going to encourage the church to pay for a subscription to your newsletter and training. I just paid for a subscription for myself. May the Lord bless you richly in your mission to proclaim His gospel and protect His children. Steve Smith, Esq.
I’m in CA and lead the safety team for my church. It is concerning here how I would likely be prosecuted and imprisoned for protecting my church family from the worst imaginable threat. Time to make Idaho my permanent home. 🇺🇸
Thank you for your diligence in informing and equipping us for the rapidly changing times in which we live; we appreciate your leadership and are encouraged to have eyes on things here in Idaho in particular.
As for HB601, has it been signed by the Governor or is it still in process?
Mississippi has a similar law entitled church protection act of 2016. It provides similar protections to those of us who volunteer our time and safety to keep our churches safe. Great news for Idaho!
I pray that Washington state will passs this bill as well because it’s a great idea and I don’t feel that enough is being done to help people here stay safe in face of the threat that we face in this country when ever we choose to attend worship services hopefully Semicbird is elected as governor here and can help fix this state god bless you all, and God bless America
I think this HB 601 is great and I will have to get the text of it and see if we can get something like it in Georgia. Additionally, I have taken the Use of Force course but have not been able to download the certificate. I have been looking for a way to get this info to you.
I think it is a wonderful act and should stand beyond what the Federal Government is trying to do outlawing a three person or more security team. It is too late for this session in Alabama, however, I will press my State Reps to follow suite.
Stand your Ground doctrine is good, but is it? We don’t need a shoot out like we are in the Wild West. A law like Idaho would certainly clear the water about responsibility to act.
The ease and speed with which the legislation was passed unmistakeably shows that Almighty God blessed this bill. Representative Dixon and Senator Toews did an amazing job of carrying the bill through their respective chambers. It was signed by Governor Little on April 1, 2024 and will go into effect July 1, 2024. When I began drafting the bill, only Texas and Mississippi had similar laws. The Texas law, like the similar 1997 federal law, however, didn't provide immunity for the church, only for the security team members. The Idaho bill provided immunity for both. Thank you Keith for an excellent article that did a great job of fully covering the legislation. I have been invited to present next week an overview of the effects of the new Idaho law to the church security team in Sandpoint that asked for the bill to be drafted, and I am going to encourage the church to pay for a subscription to your newsletter and training. I just paid for a subscription for myself. May the Lord bless you richly in your mission to proclaim His gospel and protect His children. Steve Smith, Esq.
I did not know you drafted the bill. Thank you for getting this done! It was great news for all safety ministries in this great state!
I’m in CA and lead the safety team for my church. It is concerning here how I would likely be prosecuted and imprisoned for protecting my church family from the worst imaginable threat. Time to make Idaho my permanent home. 🇺🇸
Keith;
Where do we find the template for requesting a similar bill in our state legislatures?
You noted one was available on your video.
CK
Yes!!
Thank you for your diligence in informing and equipping us for the rapidly changing times in which we live; we appreciate your leadership and are encouraged to have eyes on things here in Idaho in particular.
As for HB601, has it been signed by the Governor or is it still in process?
Signed, sealed and delivered. Effective July 1!
Bill has been passed by both House and Senate and signed by Gov. Little. New law goes into effect on july 1, 2024. Keep your noses clean 'til then.
Has the Idaho senate passed this bill also and did Gov. Little signed it? If so, when does this bill go into effect?
Signed by the governor and goes into effect July 1.
After I posted comment I figured it would be easy enough to check for myself. Thanks for answering my question.
Mississippi has a similar law entitled church protection act of 2016. It provides similar protections to those of us who volunteer our time and safety to keep our churches safe. Great news for Idaho!
Please pardon my typos,I suffered a massive stroke two years ago and I’m still recovering
I pray that Washington state will passs this bill as well because it’s a great idea and I don’t feel that enough is being done to help people here stay safe in face of the threat that we face in this country when ever we choose to attend worship services hopefully Semicbird is elected as governor here and can help fix this state god bless you all, and God bless America
I think this HB 601 is great and I will have to get the text of it and see if we can get something like it in Georgia. Additionally, I have taken the Use of Force course but have not been able to download the certificate. I have been looking for a way to get this info to you.
I think it is a wonderful act and should stand beyond what the Federal Government is trying to do outlawing a three person or more security team. It is too late for this session in Alabama, however, I will press my State Reps to follow suite.
Stand your Ground doctrine is good, but is it? We don’t need a shoot out like we are in the Wild West. A law like Idaho would certainly clear the water about responsibility to act.
Texas just recently passed the exact same law. Such a relief to know that church Safety Teams are covered.
How many states have granted immunity such as this?
It should be federal law across the whole country to protect the church safety teams.
I don’t foresee any possibility in the state of CA will have such law to protect us.
Congrats. That’s awesome. Texas enjoys the same since September 2019.
https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/volunteer-security-houses-worship