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Wyoming2015Enacted

HB0180

Limiting Access to Child Abuse Interview Records

Last scannedOct 18, 2026, 2:19 AM

In one sentence

This law restricts the release of recorded child interviews and other information from abuse or neglect cases in unrelated civil lawsuits unless a court finds good cause to disclose them.

What it does

  • Prevents the disclosure of information, including recorded child interviews, in civil proceedings that are not related to an abuse or neglect case under the Child Protective Services Act.
  • Requires a court order to release this information.
  • Requires the court to determine that good cause exists to disclose the information before issuing an order.
  • Allows the court to conduct a private review (in camera review) of a recorded interview before issuing a protective order.
  • Requires any protective order granting disclosure to include appropriate protections against further dissemination of the information in any form.
  • Allows the court to impose conditions appropriate to the circumstances to prevent further dissemination of the recorded interview.

Who it affects

  • Courts handling civil proceedings involving child abuse or neglect records.
  • Parties in civil lawsuits seeking access to child interview records or related information.
  • The state agency or local child protective agency holding the records.

Limits and unknowns

  • The law does not define exactly what constitutes 'good cause' for disclosure.
  • The law does not specify the exact types of protections required to prevent further dissemination, leaving it to the court's discretion based on the circumstances.
  • This law applies only to civil proceedings not related to an abuse or neglect case brought under the Child Protective Services Act.

Plain language

Terms to know

In camera review
A private review of evidence, such as a recorded interview, by a judge.
Protective order
A court order that grants disclosure but includes rules to protect the information from further sharing.
Good cause
A valid reason that justifies disclosing the information, as determined by the court.

Official record

Sources

Source checked
Read the official summary

Summary for LSO115 Bill No.: HB0180 Effective : 7/1/2015 LSO No.: 15LSO-0442 Enrolled Act No.: HEA 105 Chapter No.: 191 Prime Sponsor: Krone Catch Title: Child interviews-neglect and abuse cases. Subject: Authorizes a court to limit disclosure of recorded interviews in child abuse or neglect cases, as specified. Summary/Major Elements: Under current law, the Department of Family Services decides whether to allow access to records in child abuse or neglect cases. This bill: Restricts disclosure of information, including recorded interviews of a child, to any person in any civil proceeding not related to an abuse or neglect case brought under the Child Protective Services Act, except under order of the court after determining such release would be appropriate; Authorizes the court to conduct an in camera review of a recorded interview prior to issuing a protective order for the release of the information. Requires that, if information is released, appropriate protections are to be in place to ensure against further dissemination in any form . The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent. While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Aug 7, 4:07 AM

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the bill because it provides a standard that judges are familiar with and can effectively apply.

Public statementFloor statement at 25:02 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the bill because the committee agreed on a 'good cause' standard instead of a balancing test for disseminating discovery in child abuse cases.

Public statementFloor statement at 40:15 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes the bill because changes to the language require further discussion with the other chamber to improve it.

Public statementFloor statement at 54:00 Watch the statement

If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

7 roll calls

S Adopted HB0180JC001: 28-1-1-0-02015-03-05 · Senate28 yes 1 no
H Adopted HB0180JC001: 59-0-1-0-02015-03-05 · House59 yes 0 no
H Concur:Failed 1-57-2-0-02015-02-26 · House1 yes 57 no
S 3rd Reading:Passed 27-2-1-0-02015-02-25 · Senate27 yes 2 no
Judiciary:Recommend Do Pass 5-0-0-0-02015-02-23 · Senate5 yes 0 no
H 3rd Reading:Passed 59-0-1-0-02015-02-05 · House59 yes 0 no
Judiciary:Recommend Do Pass 9-0-0-0-02015-01-30 · House9 yes 0 no

Official activity

Bill history

  1. Assigned Chapter NumberLSO
  2. Governor Signed HEA No. 0105 Governor
  3. S President Signed HEA No. 0105Senate
  4. H Speaker Signed HEA No. 0105House
  5. Assigned Number HEA No. 0105LSO
  6. S Adopted HB0180JC001: 28-1-1-0-0Senate
  7. H Adopted HB0180JC001: 59-0-1-0-0House
  8. S Appointed JCC01 MembersSenate
  9. H Appointed JCC01 MembersHouse
  10. H Concur:Failed 1-57-2-0-0House
  11. H Received for ConcurrenceHouse
  12. S 3rd Reading:Passed 27-2-1-0-0Senate
  13. S 2nd Reading:PassedSenate
  14. Amendment AdoptedSenate
  15. Amendment AdoptedSenate
  16. S COW:PassedSenate
  17. S Placed on General FileSenate
  18. Judiciary:Recommend Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0Senate
  19. S Introduced and Referred to S01 - JudiciarySenate
  20. S Received for IntroductionSenate

Changes

Amendments

4 stored

HB0180HW001

Adopted Committee of the Whole by Stubson

HB0180JC001

H Adopted, S Adopted Conference Committee

HB0180S2001

Adopted 2nd reading by Ross

HB0180S2002

Adopted 2nd reading by Perkins