The Idaho House has voted 67-1 in favor of HB 429, legislation from Rep. Melissa Wintrow, D-Boise, to make sure rape victims’ own health insurance isn’t charged for the cost of preparing sexual assault evidence kits – something that has been happening under current law. “We don’t ask home invasion victim to pay the cost of fingerprint dusting,” Wintrow told the House. She said sexual assault is the only crime in Idaho where the victim’s insurance is billed for for forensic evidence collection. Under HB 429, she said, “We pay the cost of the criminal justice process.”

Rep. Paul Amador, R-Coeur d’Alene, spoke in favor of the bill. “This bill essentially closes a loophole and fixes some unintended consequences of earlier legislation. It ultimately helps crime victims, so I hope that you will give it your green light.”

Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, cast the only vote against the bill, which now moves to the Senate side. The measure has 11 cosponsors from both parties and both houses.

After the House session, Barbieri said he had an unanswered question. "If there was a deductible, then it would make sense that the victim shouldn't have to pay," he said. "But if the victim is insured, why put it off on the public?"