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Read. Follow. Verify.Wyoming Bill Creates Crime of Promoting Obscenity to Minors and Restricts Library Collections
Last action · February 13, 2026: H Did not Consider for IntroductionSponsor: Ann Lucas
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What This Bill Proposed
Wyoming House Bill 72 establishes the new misdemeanor crime of promoting obscenity to minors, carrying penalties of up to one year in prison, a fine of up to $6,000, or both, effective July 1, 2026. The legislation prohibits public school and county libraries from curating materials deemed in areas intended for minors, establishes a formal challenge and review process, and removes employment-based exemptions for schools, colleges, universities, and museums.
Public libraries, school libraries, and educators face new legal restrictions on managing collections accessible to minors, while individuals who specific material to minors face potential criminal misdemeanor charges and financial penalties.
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Public school libraries and county libraries
Libraries must review challenged materials within sixty days and relocate materials deemed harmful to minors into adult sections.
Parents and guardians
Parents gain the ability to formally challenge library materials and provide written permission for minors to access adult sections or health instruction.
School and library employees
Employees lose statutory employment exemptions from obscenity laws previously granted for school, college, university, and museum work.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if library materials are challenged under this bill?
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · introduced in the House.
Procedural history
3 actions- Feb 13, 2026HouseH Did not Consider for Introduction
- Feb 5, 2026HouseH Received for Introduction
- Jan 30, 2026Bill Number Assigned
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
www.wyoleg.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 75)
- Controversy85Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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