The Wyoming Educational Religious Freedom Act aims to prohibit sectarian instruction and practices in public educational institutions. The bill defines "sectarian" as any educational framework or practice that mandates specific beliefs, requires participation in emotional disclosure activities, or enforces particular viewpoints about social dynamics. It establishes a clear set of prohibited practices, including mandatory participation in identity-focused activities and the implementation of equity-based grading systems. The act emphasizes the importance of maintaining religious neutrality in public education and protecting students' rights of conscience, while also ensuring that educational institutions can provide academic instruction on historical or scientific concepts without violating these provisions.
To enforce compliance, the bill outlines responsibilities for educational institutions and the state board of education, including the establishment of written policies to review curricula for sectarian content and the creation of a complaint process for parents or guardians. The state board is tasked with investigating complaints, issuing corrective action plans, and imposing penalties for violations, which may include changes in accreditation status and mandatory compliance training. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and aims to uphold the principles of the Wyoming constitution while respecting diverse community values.