Bill Description: Senate Bill 1279 would allow county sheriffs to hire temporary employees  and private security services to guard county jails, transport inmates, and guard prisoners in hospitals and other medical facilities. 

Rating: +1

Does it increase government spending (for objectionable purposes) or debt? Conversely, does it decrease government spending or debt?

Senate Bill 1279 creates Section 20-611, Idaho Code, to make it lawful for a county sheriff to "hire a temporary guard or private security service to assist in the protection of the county jail, to transport inmates from one location to another, or to safely keep prisoners at a location such as a hospital, hospice care, or long-term care facility when required."

The bill also clarifies that these guards will not have "the powers of a peace officer or county detention officer."

This change has the potential to save counties (and ultimately taxpayers) money by using lower paid security services rather than deputies for certain jobs.  

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