Advocates press committee to modernize child-abuse statutes and expand multidisciplinary teams
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Summary
Speakers asked the Joint Judiciary Interim Committee to adopt tiered child-abuse classifications, clarify mandatory-reporting standards, and expand multidisciplinary investigative teams so prosecutions and protective responses aren’t hampered by outdated statute language.
Lindsay Simoneau and Lynn Storey Hyler told the Joint Judiciary Interim Committee that Wyoming’s child-abuse statutes and mandatory-reporting laws are outdated and can prevent appropriate charges or coordinated investigations.
Simoneau asked the committee to consider tiered classifications for child abuse (physical abuse, neglect and aggravating factors), saying current statutes are vague and result in missed felony charges in serious cases. She recommended modeling reforms on neighboring states to allow the justice system discretion that reflects offense severity.
Lynn Storey Hyler, representing a child advocacy center chapter, asked for a comprehensive interim review of mandatory-reporting laws, enforcement mechanisms and training; she also urged adding multidisciplinary investigative teams (MDTs) beyond children already in state custody so medical, law enforcement, prosecution, forensic interviewers and victim advocates can collaborate without statutory barriers.
Committee members asked for state-model examples; speakers cited Idaho and Nebraska as potential references. The committee did not take immediate action but said the topics could be blended with other child-protection proposals when members submit their rankings.