Wyoming2024Did Not Pass

HB0077

Amending Simple Assault to Include Menacing Behavior

Last scannedOct 9, 2026, 2:19 AM

In one sentence

The bill changes the definition of simple assault in Wyoming law to include threatening or menacing behavior that causes another person to fear an imminent attack.

What it does

Changes the definition of simple assault to include any unlawful act or threatening conduct that makes someone believe they are about to be attacked.
Specifies that this new rule applies only to offenses committed and charged on or after a certain date.
Sets the effective date for these changes as July 1, 2024.

Who it affects

People who commit simple assault under the new definition will be subject to legal consequences.
Law enforcement officers and judges who interpret and enforce this law.

Limits and unknowns

The bill did not pass in the most recent session.
It only applies to offenses committed on or after July 1, 2024, if it were to become law.
Details of how this change will affect specific cases are unclear.

Plain language

Terms to know

Simple Assault: An act that causes or attempts to cause bodily harm, or threatens someone in a way that makes them fear an imminent attack.
Menacing Conduct: Behavior that is threatening and causes another person to reasonably believe they are about to be attacked.

Official record

Sources

Source checked

Official bill page Introduced text Official digest Current bill text

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Aug 11, 6:23 PM

Art Washut

R · H36

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker argues that current statutes defining assault as an attempted battery are redundant because attempt laws already cover such acts. He supports the bill to redefine assault to include threatening and menacing conduct, which he states is currently missing from Wyoming law.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:32:13 Watch the statement

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

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

5 roll calls

S 3rd Reading:Failed 14-16-1-0-02024-03-06 · Senate14 yes 16 no

Yes: 14
No: 16
Absent: 0
Excused: 1
Conflict: 0

S01 - Judiciary:Recommend Do Pass 3-0-2-0-02024-03-01 · Senate3 yes 0 no

Yes: 3
No: 0
Absent: 0
Excused: 2
Conflict: 0

Yes 3

Cale CaseR · S25 Ed CooperR · S20 Wendy SchulerR · S15

Excused 2

Bill LandenR · S27 Dan FurphyS10

H 3rd Reading:Passed 35-27-0-0-02024-02-23 · House35 yes 27 no

Yes: 35
No: 27
Absent: 0
Excused: 0
Conflict: 0

H01 - Judiciary:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 5-4-0-0-02024-02-19 · House5 yes 4 no

Yes: 5
No: 4
Absent: 0
Excused: 0
Conflict: 0

Yes 5

Art WashutR · H36 Barry CragoR · H40 Ember OakleyH55 Karlee ProvenzaD · H45 Rachel Rodriguez-WilliamsR · H50

No 4

Clifford M JenningsH30 Jeremy HaroldsonR · H04 Ken ChestekD · H13 Tony NiemiecH60

H Introduced and Referred to H01 - Judiciary 52-9-1-0-02024-02-15 · House52 yes 9 no

Yes: 52
No: 9
Absent: 0
Excused: 1
Conflict: 0

Official activity

Bill history

2024-03-06S 3rd Reading:Failed 14-16-1-0-0Senate
2024-03-05S 2nd Reading:PassedSenate
2024-03-04S COW:PassedSenate
2024-03-01S Placed on General FileSenate
2024-03-01S01 - Judiciary:Recommend Do Pass 3-0-2-0-0Senate
2024-02-26S Introduced and Referred to S01 - JudiciarySenate
2024-02-26S Received for IntroductionSenate
2024-02-23H 3rd Reading:Passed 35-27-0-0-0House
2024-02-22H 2nd Reading:PassedHouse
2024-02-21H COW:PassedHouse
2024-02-19H Placed on General FileHouse
2024-02-19H01 - Judiciary:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 5-4-0-0-0House
2024-02-15H Introduced and Referred to H01 - Judiciary 52-9-1-0-0House
2024-01-24H Received for IntroductionHouse
2024-01-22Bill Number AssignedLSO

Changes

Amendments

1 stored

HB0077HS001

The amendment removes references to 'domestic assault' from the bill about simple assault and menacing behavior.