Criminal Justice

This Wyoming bill (SF 8) creates a new criminal offense for "absconding for criminal purposes," targeting individuals who travel between counties within Wyoming or to another jurisdiction *after* committing a crime. It directly affects people who flee to commit additional crimes, hide stolen property, or further a felony. The law specifies that penalties for this offense will match the penalty for the most serious underlying crime (e.g., the original offense or the intended one). The bill is pending and would take effect July 1, 2026, if passed.

This Wyoming bill (SF 3) makes trespassing at commercial nuclear facilities a felony punishable by up to five years in prison or a $1,000 fine. It creates legal protections for security guards at these facilities, allowing them to use defensive force - including deadly force - to prevent specific crimes like burglary, radiological sabotage, or assaults within protected areas. Guards may also detain suspected violators for law enforcement. The law applies to licensed nuclear facilities (like power plants) and their security personnel, defining "protected areas" as zones within physical barriers posted as restricted. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.