Wyoming's SF 85 (RAVEN Act) creates a dedicated funding account for the state's Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force, directly supporting law enforcement efforts to investigate and combat online child exploitation. The bill appropriates $1.6 million from the general fund (2026-2028) to sustain the ICAC program, with funds continuously available for investigations, victim assistance, and public education on internet safety. All money in the account must be used solely by the Division of Criminal Investigation to address internet crimes against children, with no funds allowed to lapse or transfer to other purposes. The account will accept additional grants or donations, ensuring stable, long-term resources for this critical law enforcement work.
HB 185 prohibits the manufacture, sale, distribution, and possession of kratom products in Wyoming. It directly affects businesses and individuals handling these products, with exemptions for research institutions and law enforcement labs conducting testing. Violations carry misdemeanor penalties of up to $1,000 fines or one year in jail for repeat offenses. The bill also requires the Department of Agriculture to hire staff and purchase testing equipment, effective July 1, 2026.
HB 98 amends Wyoming law to add criminal penalties for violating the Prohibit Red Flag Gun Seizure Act. It makes knowingly violating this law a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail, a $2,000 fine, or both. The bill directly affects individuals who improperly seize firearms under the red flag law, such as law enforcement or officials acting outside legal authority. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, and does not change the underlying red flag seizure procedures.
Wyoming's HB 181 prohibits all state and local government entities from using biometric data (like facial recognition or fingerprints) to identify people or verify identities, geolocation data to track individuals or vehicles, and automatic license plate reader systems for vehicle identification or toll collection. The bill requires governments to adopt compliance policies, creates a civil lawsuit option for violations, and amends the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act to address liability. It specifically excludes school bus cameras, anonymized health data, and certain utility infrastructure from the restrictions. The law directly affects all state agencies, counties, cities, and law enforcement entities by restricting their use of these surveillance technologies. The bill is currently in early procedural stages and has not advanced beyond introduction.
SF 88 prohibits registered sex offenders (18+ years old) from residing within 1,000 feet of child care facilities, measured from the exterior wall of their home to the facility's property line. The bill defines "child care facility" to include government-administered programs (excluding schools), licensed facilities caring for three or more unrelated children, and facilities under existing state definitions. It includes an exception for residences established before July 1, 2026, or before the facility opened, and takes effect on that date. This law directly affects registered sex offenders seeking housing near child care services, creating a new residency restriction under Wyoming law.
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.
Wyoming's HB 28 amends the legal definition of "explicit sexual conduct" under the state's child exploitation law. It adds specific examples like bestiality, masturbation, and sadistic/masochistic abuse to the existing definition, clarifying what constitutes the crime. This change directly affects law enforcement and prosecutors handling child exploitation cases by providing a more detailed standard for charging offenders. The updated definition takes effect on July 1, 2026.
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 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.
