Bill > HB0114

This bill creates new legal protections for religious assembly during public health emergencies in Wyoming. Specifically, it requires that any order or regulation issued during a public health emergency that limits business operations must provide equivalent exemptions for religious institutions, places of worship, and religious gatherings. This means that if certain businesses are allowed to remain open or have reduced restrictions, churches and religious gatherings must receive the same treatment. The bill allows any person who believes their religious assembly rights have been violated to bring a civil action in court, with potential remedies including monetary damages, declaratory judgments, injunctions, and in cases of wanton or malicious violations, punitive damages. Additionally, the bill amends existing state laws to ensure that governmental entities can be held liable for violations of these religious assembly protections, including potential exceptions to existing tort liability immunity. The goal of the legislation appears to be ensuring that religious freedoms are not disproportionately restricted during public health emergencies, providing a legal mechanism for religious institutions to challenge overly broad emergency restrictions.

https://www.wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2025/HB0114