Committee advances bill to keep protection orders in effect during appeals

Senate File 8, which would keep protection orders in force while an appeal or review is pending, was advanced by the Senate Judiciary Committee after testimony from state victim‑services staff and a Park County victim‑services director.

Cara Chambers, director of the Division of Victim Services in the Wyoming Attorney General’s Office, told the committee she believes the bill ‘‘is an attempt to, clarify procedure.’’ She described the measure as straightforward and said it amends protections under Title 7 and Title 35 to make clear that an order remains in effect during ‘‘the pendency of any appeal or review or any decision to modify or extend the order of protection unless the court orders a stay during the pendency of the appeal or review.’’

The bill drew public testimony from Lisa Peterman, executive director of Crisis Intervention Services in Park County, who said a recent Park County case exposed a ‘‘loophole’’ in the existing process. Peterman described one case in which a victim had a six‑month protection order that was appealed; while the appeal was pending the victim filed for an extension, and law enforcement questioned whether the extension was enforceable. Peterman said published reporting showed officers later executed a search warrant and recovered several firearms and two pipe bombs. She asked the committee to ‘‘move Senate File 8 forward through the legislative process.’’

Senator Hicks moved to pass the bill from committee. The committee conducted a roll call vote: Senator Crago — Aye; Senator Krum — Aye; Senator Hicks — Aye (absentee sheet submitted); Senator Kolb — Excused; Chairman Olson — Aye. The clerk reported ‘‘4 ayes, 1 excused.’’

The bill as presented would add parallel language for the provisions referenced under Title 7 (assault/stalking) and Title 35 (domestic violence) to make explicit that protection orders remain in force during appeals unless a court orders a stay. No amendments were adopted during the hearing.

Committee members and witnesses framed the change as procedural clarification to aid law enforcement and victim safety; no statutory citations beyond the referenced Titles were added in committee testimony. The sponsor and speakers indicated the measure is intended to close the enforcement gap revealed by the Park County case, not to expand the underlying bases for protection orders.

The committee forwarded Senate File 8 to the next stage of the legislative process.