HB157, “Protection of parental rights – cause of action,” passed its third reading in the Wyoming House today and now moves on to the Senate for consideration.
The bill holds government entities liable for damages that result from violations of parental rights. It states, “AN ACT relating to parental rights; providing a civil cause of action for infringement of parental rights; creating an exception to governmental immunity; waiving governmental claims notice requirements; and providing for an effective date.”
Parental rights have been a major focus of parents across the country. Disputes with schools and school boards can often take years to resolve, if they ever see resolution.
According to Wyoming Public Media, Patricia McCoy testifying on behalf of the Wyoming chapters of Moms for Liberty, said, “This bill ensures that in Wyoming, parental rights are more than words – they’re enforceable, they’re protected, and they matter.”
An AI analysis of the bill, available at wyoaction.com, says this bill “aims to strengthen the legal protection of parental rights by allowing parents to sue state or local government entities if those rights are violated. Currently, government entities in Wyoming are generally immune from lawsuits unless specific exceptions are made. This bill creates a new exception, meaning if a government agency, school, or other state or local body infringes upon a parent’s rights as defined by existing law (W.S. 14-2-206), the parent can take them to court.” Sheridan Representative Mark Jennings was the original author of Wyoming's parental rights law-14-2-206.
Under this bill, if passed into law, parents can ask the court to declare that their rights have been violated and order the government entity guilty of the violation to stop the infringing action. The usual “notice of claim” procedures would not have to be followed, making the process faster and less burdensome for the families. If the parents win, the court MUST award them reasonable attorney fees and court costs.
Those in favor of the bill include Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder and the Wyoming Freedom Caucus. Those in opposition include the Wyoming School Boards Association.