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Bill > HB0189


WY HB0189

Harmful communication-minors.


summary

Introduced
01/22/2025
In Committee
02/12/2025
Crossed Over
02/05/2025
Passed
Dead
03/06/2025

Introduced Session

Potential new amendment
2025 General Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT relating to crimes and offenses; prohibiting adults from communicating with minors about sexual activity as specified; providing penalties; providing definitions; making conforming amendments; creating a cause of action; specifying applicability; and providing for an effective date.

AI Summary

This bill creates a new law in Wyoming that criminalizes sexual communication with minors, defining "obscene" communication as including explicit sexual descriptions, requests for sexual images, attempts to normalize adult-minor sexual contact, and other sexually inappropriate content. The law applies to adults 18 or older who are more than four years older than the minor and who engage in a pattern of communication with the intent of personal sexual gratification. Violations are classified as felonies with escalating penalties: first offense carries up to 5 years in prison and a $1,000-$5,000 fine, second offense up to 10 years and $10,000 fine, and third or subsequent offenses up to 20 years and $20,000 fine. Additional consequences include potential prohibition from social media during incarceration, probation, or parole, and forfeiture of communication devices. The bill also allows minor victims or their parents/guardians to bring civil actions for damages, independent of criminal proceedings. Exceptions exist for age-appropriate sex education and certain marital situations. The law aims to protect minors from sexually predatory communication by establishing clear legal boundaries and significant penalties for offenders.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (9)

Last Action

COW:Failed 4-26-1-0-0 (on 02/21/2025)

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