Wyoming's HB 92 prohibits individuals convicted of sex offenses from holding specific public offices. The bill bars registered sex offenders (as defined by Wyoming law) from running for or serving as school district trustees, community college board members, county/district attorneys, county commissioners, city/town governing body members, mayors, or county sheriffs. Election officials must refuse to certify ineligible candidates, and those already in office would be deemed vacant. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, applying to all offices filled on or after that date.
HB 43 creates new criminal offenses for money laundering and illegal investments in Wyoming. It defines money laundering as moving property derived from crime (like drug trafficking or fraud) or structuring transactions to hide illegal money, and illegal investment as intentionally evading reporting rules for financial transactions. The bill directly affects financial institutions (such as banks, casinos, and money transmitters) and individuals handling large sums, requiring them to comply with reporting laws. Violations are punishable as felonies with up to 10 years in prison or $10,000 fines. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
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.
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.
Wyoming's SF 87 creates a new felony offense for intentionally causing bodily injury to a police officer while the officer is performing lawful duties. This amendment specifically targets individuals who assault officers during the course of their work, making such acts punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The bill directly affects people who physically harm officers in the line of duty, strengthening penalties for this specific conduct. It amends existing law (W.S. 6-5-204(b)) to clarify that causing bodily injury during officer engagement constitutes a felony. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.
SF 7 amends Wyoming's theft laws to increase penalties for certain offenses. It raises the maximum penalty for theft of property under $1,000 from six months in jail and $750 fines to one year and $1,500, and lowers the felony threshold from a fifth to a third theft offense. The bill also updates penalties for using theft detection shielding devices to match the new misdemeanor penalties. These changes take effect on July 1, 2026.
