[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6671303,"mediaKeyId","2170057-2c8584f1f028a7eaeae4f1bbc505d144","parentId",2170057,"title","Senator Pearson introduces shared-custody presumption bill; debate highlights practical limits and proposed amendments","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",4399000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170057-2c8584f1f028a7eaeae4f1bbc505d144&start=4399&end=4399","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170057-2c8584f1f028a7eaeae4f1bbc505d144/thumbnail_4399000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6671303/Wyoming/Senator-Pearson-introduces-shared-custody-presumption-bill-debate-highlights-practical-limits-and-proposed-amendments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671303-d98c7c9ce84de9adbf6e8888aa4bbaa2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770972216&Signature=SdxSu6GU5a2iXy5WehnhKI9CAwmR2I7FQwTxDJ1ukC4oGkKLd~ZbTDRsIuowLJsObAcMkqgthPk3BHFffyYzivJO3GoTUbPSyAa~4odh09GuuzXeuBbOmHqGNW9k3DZwdMZCHchMtY3TarxZQMYgwcoA4ox9AeVT2ebL1ym3N0MVC69ksTYsn9ZZlCIYKnFn4RhJJN9wFAzB8AdWaZNY847g~QcSRP9RrEQjuUO-t8p4iCWKhZGFLSG-sztrSgWX57uzByv6-3oc7E4HPGE2LREQj3awu6MYatvEjKi~AtRBrjf6nnosn9qn7bGTKHzjDH8aL7UKO-9~GLCGApUzFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wyoming Legislature","date","2025-01-30T21:03:08.99Z","article","Senator Laura Pearson introduced Senate file 117 to the Senate Judiciary Committee, presenting a statute that would create a presumption in favor of shared custody (joint legal and joint physical custody) unless the parties agree otherwise or certain enumerated exceptions apply. Pearson said the bill seeks to place parents on an “even playing field” after separation and to promote ongoing parental involvement in children’s lives.

In outlining the proposal, Senator Pearson said a court “shall enter an order of shared custody unless” one of several conditions is met, including written agreement to a different arrangement, adjudicated domestic violence, abuse or neglect, the parties living a significant distance apart (language the sponsor later proposed removing), or a showing that a different arrangement is in the child’s best interests. The draft defined joint physical custody as children residing with each parent “for substantially equal amount of time each calendar year.” The sponsor proposed three friendly amendments: remove a 300-mile distance limit, lower the evidentiary standard from clear and convincing to a preponderance of the evidence for finding a different arrangement is needed, and add judicial consideration of a parent’s false or fraudulent allegations.

Colleagues raised practical concerns during debate. Senator Crago questioned how a statutory 50/50 physical split would work when parents live far apart or when children are enrolled in school. Senator Crago and others noted the statute allows parties to set different arrangements by written agreement; several senators emphasized judges must retain discretion to adapt custody to practical realities. Senator Hicks described past complex cases where enumerated exceptions multiplied and suggested that exhaustive lists inevitably miss scenarios that later require legislative fixes.

Senator Pearson said attorneys had recommended lowering the evidentiary standard to preponderance and that the change would give judges flexibility in borderline cases. She told the committee the bill’s aim is to reduce custody-based conflict by encouraging parental cooperation and shared decision-making.

Committee members agreed more time for agency testimony and public comment would be useful. Chairman Olsen said the committee would continue consideration the next day at noon to receive additional agency and public testimony and to consider amendments. No committee vote occurred during this hearing.

Ending note: The sponsor will return with drafting clarifications; the committee scheduled continuation of SF 117 the following day to hear remaining testimony and consider possible amendments.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Judiciary Committee, January 30, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senate file 117 would create a presumption of shared legal and physical custody in dissolution and paternity cases unless specified exceptions apply. Sponsors and colleagues debated distance, standards of proof and the difficulty of enumerating exceptions; committee deferred further testimony and scheduled continuation.","taxTitle","Judiciary Committee, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Wyoming","taxId",61172,"location","Wyoming","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6671305,"Committee advances Senate file 114 to require consistent missing-person reporting; advocates cite statewide gaps",2035,1288000,3323000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170057-2c8584f1f028a7eaeae4f1bbc505d144&start=1288&end=3323","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170057-2c8584f1f028a7eaeae4f1bbc505d144/thumbnail_1288000.jpg","/articles/6671305/Wyoming/Committee-advances-Senate-file-114-to-require-consistent-missing-person-reporting-advocates-cite-statewide-gaps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671305-8650774299c0c26620f888fff789e0fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770972216&Signature=fEz6vskPir8apcB7o5UcimpotC4GTtPMRs60F36~EPFF3p0LAcQiAvuEkck4JO0yDD6qH469m-W~28D9XSxuPfqyPK3cuHHCrWz4LNCouy7~gemnSZIYb2iwpX8dIccK9OC40hgV4v188064hOeGr8Ne~nrAwRUf0uxE5Fsc91X1oHDpVWl1EuIk-4cxdifHEEdIbIVDqfS0~HLZg0etBC7Tr7NmBVBYM~akAh1HofKeE2H1muBoUoM5knziBVyCKTxDWPfkCyy3vEZQWzosPAu78PcMPcyAhqL3LZDiv8~OpxwBB3C~iwuQl9P-r7UBIGxj9CvCdZnKBxXCVUfDmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance Senate file 114, a bill to establish a consistent process for law enforcement to accept and prioritize adult missing-person reports in Wyoming. Testimony described a patchwork of current practices that rely on voluntary reporting to the state's clearinghouse and sometimes lead to delays in entering cases into federal systems such as the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

Senator Landon, sponsor of SF 114, told the committee Wyoming requires the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) to collect missing-person data but “there's no requirement for law enforcement to accept reports of missing persons.” He said the bill “outlines a specific procedure for all Wyoming law enforcement agencies to follow when accepting these reports” and seeks to reduce duplication and delays when agencies point callers between jurisdictions.

Alan Thompson, executive director of the Wyoming Chiefs and Sheriffs Association, said the bill offers a “straightforward playbook” for primary jurisdiction and investigation steps. Thompson described drafting language based on other states’ laws and told senators the measure “contemplates any of the issues that we face” and helps both law enforcement and private-sector partners who compile missing-person notices.

Witnesses emphasized the bill’s importance for underserved communities. Cara Chambers, Director of the Division of Victim Services in the Attorney General’s office, warned committee members that enumerated exceptions should be “narrowly tailored” so agencies do not have reasons to refuse reports. Dr. Emily Grant, a senior research scientist at the Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center (WYSAC), summarized a commissioned study finding 40 states and D.C. require entry of adult missing-person cases into NCIC; she said Wyoming has no legislative requirement and relies on voluntary submissions.

Family members and advocates gave personal testimony. Desiree Tinoco, founder of the Missing People of Wyoming nonprofit, described getting reports denied entry “due to the individual's lifestyle, income, criminal history, questionable background, or not having a physical address.” Nicole Wagon, an MMIP (Missing and Murdered Indigenous People) advocate and Fremont County resident who lost a daughter in 2019, said inconsistent responses are “terrifying” for families and stressed the first hours and days after someone disappears are “the most critical.” Chad Auer, senior policy advisor to the governor, expressed executive-branch support and noted the governor prioritizes public safety and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Task Force work.

Committee amendments clarified language on which cases may be refused. Senators modified an internal phrasing so the bill reads that a person’s most recent verifiable location—not residency—controls whether Wyoming should be the reporting jurisdiction. The committee also replaced an “and” with an “or” in the listed exception language and added a drafting change to include “including but not limited to” before enumerated bad-faith reporting reasons, to avoid unduly limiting exceptions. After amendment adoption, the committee approved SF 114 on a roll call of 4 ayes, 1 excused.

Ending note: The bill moves out of committee with sponsor and stakeholder support and specific amendments intended to keep refusal reasons narrowly tailored while ensuring broad opportunity for reports to be accepted and entered into NCIC and other systems.","Senate file 114 to create a standardized process for reporting and accepting missing-adult reports passed the Judiciary Committee after testimony from law enforcement, victim advocates, researchers and family members citing inconsistent reporting practices across agencies.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6671309,"Senate file 101 would narrow cutoff date for post-conviction DNA testing eligibility",1299,61000,1360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170057-2c8584f1f028a7eaeae4f1bbc505d144&start=61&end=1360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170057-2c8584f1f028a7eaeae4f1bbc505d144/thumbnail_61000.jpg","/articles/6671309/Wyoming/Senate-file-101-would-narrow-cutoff-date-for-post-conviction-DNA-testing-eligibility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671309-65d250aa96648b38317077a36c990219/orig.mp4?Expires=1770972216&Signature=I8rBP-g60j4yKubnpu~lo1Nivp0KuyIJoxcZG0IhYgrCC7toUDRc5zW0DEScLvVJwja3mvQQjqYnDkEOcOaqYB~bKTBj92VlgJN4Qu7sQqpYFropf7q5AERWgr3s56Q7p~3A4ynJo5NKXTY5hn9w4ugTdkDy5YCQwjnvBR5b2ZfM1P6C2A0aFq5RB3YLfRcEo4VrfMVi1mmAsvjG1Cb8I7blfRQUsbo~uhKcUn8G-l6Ct2FaJJ2DEoHHI60XODXkda1E9QY1NNcKx1UM99aapGkitZBu8Jzbp9mTWlgo1MqG8TQrfD-NJlEzweqM-KRcTNAB1P5H8p38QJb-t1GfRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Olsen heard testimony on Senate file 101, a bill from Senator Landon that would change the statutory cutoff date limiting court-ordered post-conviction DNA testing. Senator Landon introduced the measure and explained the bill would move the critical cutoff from the year 2000 to 2008 to align with the year Wyoming enacted its post-conviction DNA statute.

The bill’s sponsor, Senator Landon, said the statutory language in WS 712303 creates “an unintended consequence” because the 2000 cutoff prevents people convicted before 2008 from relying on a statutory decision that did not exist when they were convicted. He told the committee the proposal “would move that date up to 2008 at the time that Wyoming passed this post conviction DNA law.”

Emily Madden, an attorney who identified herself as a University of Wyoming College of Law graduate and board member of the Wyoming Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, testified in support. Madden said: “all things considered, the cost of DNA testing is relatively inexpensive, especially when you consider the financial costs that we have when you're talking about imprisoning persons for decades and sometimes, life in prison.” She described a client, Eddie Magallanes, convicted in 2006, who she said learned of DNA evidence only at trial and who she said has private funding available for testing.

Lauren McLean, a University of Wyoming law professor who previously worked with innocence and DNA litigation, gave technical background on DNA technology and timelines. McLean summarized changes in testing methods and databases, noting that “by the year 2008, we are starting to look at an increased technology that's capable of picking up very small samples, capable of reading degraded samples, and capable, we're more capable of distinguishing between profiles.” She told the committee that technology and database availability improved substantially during the 1990s and into the 2000s, and that the 2008 date better matches when modern testing and comparison systems were broadly available.

Committee members asked about fiscal impact. Senator Kolb moved the bill and the committee took a roll call; three members present voted aye with two members excused. Chairman Olsen left the vote open to allow absent members to return and complete the roll call.

No final committee action was recorded during the hearing. The sponsor said he would follow up with fiscal details and that private funding is available in at least one pending case.

Ending note: Committee staff will carry forward fiscal follow-up and the bill remains pending while absent members have the opportunity to record their votes.","A bill to change a statutory cutoff date for post-conviction DNA testing in Wyoming was introduced and discussed in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Sponsors and witnesses argued the change would correct an unintended gap in the law; the committee left an initial vote open for absent members.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senator Pearson introduces shared-custody presumption bill; debate highlights practical limits and proposed amendments

Committee advances Senate file 114 to require consistent missing-person reporting; advocates cite statewide gaps

Senate file 101 would narrow cutoff date for post-conviction DNA testing eligibility