The bill establishes a new offense titled "interference with parent-child contact," which is defined under the newly created section W.S. 6-2-205. This offense applies to individuals who have been granted physical custody or visitation rights and willfully prevent or obstruct another person's rights to custody or visitation as determined by a child custody order. The bill also outlines specific definitions for "child custody determination" and "physical custody," referencing existing statutes for clarity.
Additionally, the bill specifies affirmative defenses for those accused of this offense, including actions taken to protect a child from immediate danger or situations involving a child aged fourteen or older who was not returned at their own request without the intent to commit a crime. The penalty for interference with parent-child contact is classified as a misdemeanor, with potential consequences of up to six months of imprisonment, a fine of up to $750, or both. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2024.