During the 2012 legislative session, a bill was proposed that would have made failure by an adult to report violent crimes against children a felony. According to the Idaho Statesman, prosecutors feel the failed bill was the best chance to expand penalties for adults who fail to report such abuse.

Sen. Denton Darrington, R-Declo, head of the Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee, is retiring from the Legislature, and with him reviving a similar bill might not happen during the 2013 legislative session.

The bill aimed to deter adults from simply looking the other way. The idea is if a person knows turning a blind eye could cause him or her to be charged with a felony, that person is more likely to do the right thing and report the abuse.