2024 24LSO-0046
STATE OF WYOMING
HOUSE BILL NO. HB0028
Interference with parent-child contact.
Sponsored by: Joint Judiciary Interim Committee
A BILL
for
1 AN ACT relating to crimes and offenses; establishing the
2 offense of interference with parent-child contact;
3 specifying affirmative defenses; specifying penalties;
4 providing definitions; and providing for an effective date.
5
6 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:
7
8 Section 1. W.S. 6-2-205 is created to read:
9
10 6-2-205. Interference with parent-child contact.
11
12 (a) As used in this section:
13
14 (i) "Child custody determination" means as
15 defined by W.S. 20-5-202(a)(iii);
16
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1 (ii) "Physical custody" means as defined by W.S.
2 20-5-202(a)(xiv).
3
4 (b) A person who has been granted physical custody or
5 visitation with a child pursuant to a child custody
6 determination is guilty of interference with parent-child
7 contact if the person willfully prevents or obstructs the
8 rights of another person entitled to physical custody or
9 visitation with the child pursuant to a child custody
10 determination.
11
12 (c) It is an affirmative defense to a prosecution
13 under this section that:
14
15 (i) The action was necessary to preserve the
16 child from an immediate danger to his welfare; or
17
18 (ii) The child was not less than fourteen (14)
19 years old and the child was taken away or was not returned:
20
21 (A) At his own instigation; and
22
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1 (B) Without intent to commit a criminal
2 offense with or against the child.
3
4 (d) Interference with parent-child contact is a
5 misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than
6 six (6) months, a fine of not more than seven hundred fifty
7 dollars ($750.00), or both.
8
9 Section 2. This act is effective July 1, 2024.
10
11 (END)
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