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.

HB 8 amends Wyoming's stalking statute to make stalking a minor (under 18) a felony if the perpetrator is at least 18 years old. This specifically targets adult offenders who stalk minors, upgrading the offense from a misdemeanor to a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The bill adds a new subsection (v) to the stalking penalty section (W.S. 6-2-506(e)), directly affecting minors as victims and adults aged 18+ as perpetrators. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.

HB 9 creates a new criminal offense in Wyoming for "grooming" a minor for sexual abuse or exploitation. It directly affects adults (17+ years old, at least 4 years older than the minor) who engage in behavior to manipulate, build trust with, or prepare a minor for sexual conduct - whether online or in person, including sharing explicit material or exploiting authority. Key provisions define "grooming" broadly, specify penalties (up to 10 years in prison for general cases, 25+ years if the victim is under 12), and require offenders to complete treatment programs and face probation. The bill also updates registration requirements for offenders convicted under this law, mandating annual in-person verification with law enforcement.