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Committee broadens ban on registered sex offenders holding many public offices and advances bill
Summary
The Senate Judiciary Committee amended and advanced House Bill 92 to bar people on the public sex-offender registry from holding or assuming a broad set of local and statewide public offices, adding county and statewide offices after public testimony highlighted a statutory loophole in restorations of rights.
Representative Lucas introduced House Bill 92 as a short bill intended to prevent registered sex offenders from serving in positions that carry authority over children or the public trust. "This bill restricts the following positions... Trustee of a school district, community college district board member, county attorney or district attorney, county commissioner, member of the governing body of a city or town, mayor, county sheriff," Lucas said, noting the bill responds to a 2024 incident in Laramie County.
Committee members pressed the sponsor and the Secretary of State about whether existing law already bars felons and how restorations of voting or office-holding rights can create practical loopholes. The Secretary of State testified the bill would clarify that restorations allowing voting or candidacy do not automatically permit registered sex offenders to hold specified offices and said he supports expanding the list of covered offices.
Witnesses described a technical gap in Wyoming law that can classify some sexual-abuse convictions as non-violent for restoration purposes, allowing certain offenders to regain rights in ways the witnesses called inappropriate for office-holding. Committee members discussed enforcement mechanics; sponsors said most cases of concern would be resolved by reference to the public registry.
Amendments and vote. Committee members broadened the list of barred offices to include additional county offices, governing boards, community-college and university trustees and statewide elected officials. Senators adopted the amendment and then advanced HB92; a roll-call vote was recorded in the transcript and the chair announced the bill carried out of committee as amended.
Why it matters. Supporters said the change closes a practical loophole that has allowed individuals with certain past sexual convictions to run for or briefly hold local offices in situations that alarmed communities. Critics and some committee members warned of edge cases where older, nonviolent convictions and later restoration could raise fairness concerns; members reserved the right to refine language.
Next steps. The committee advanced HB92 with amendments and indicated the bill will proceed to further legislative consideration.
