Safeguarding personal expression at K-12 schools.
HB 159 protects students' religious, political, and ideological speech in Wyoming public schools. It prohibits schools from discriminating against students for expressing these views in class discussions, assignments, club activities, or clothing - similar to how other student speech is treated. The bill creates a legal cause of action for violations, allowing students or clubs to seek at least $5,000 in damages plus other remedies. Exceptions include unprotected speech (per the First Amendment) or conduct that disrupts school operations or creates a hostile environment.
Bill status
died
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 14, 2026
Last action Mar 4, 2026
Floor votes · House Feb 24, 2026
How they voted
49–7
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 58
Feb 24, 2026
D
Democratic6
66% Nay
R
Republican52
90% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
15
Key actions
4
Committee
4
Mar 4, 2026
Committee
S COW:S Did not consider for COW
upper
Feb 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
S04 - Education:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0
upper
Feb 25, 2026
Introduced
S Introduced and Referred to S04 - Education
upper
Feb 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
H 3rd Reading:Passed 52-7-3-0-0
lower
Feb 20, 2026
Lower · Passed
H COW:Passed
lower
Feb 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
H04 - Education:Recommend Do Pass 7-1-1-0-0
lower
Feb 14, 2026
Introduced
H Introduced and Referred to H04 - Education 46-15-1-0-0
lower
1 primary · 7 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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