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Wyoming2024Enacted

SF0036

Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act

Last scannedOct 9, 2026, 2:19 AM

In one sentence

This act adopts a law that helps prevent child abduction by allowing courts to take action if there is evidence of a credible risk of abduction.

What it does

  • Adopts the Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act (UCAPA) in Wyoming.
  • Allows district courts to order measures to stop child abduction when there's evidence showing a real danger of it happening.
  • Specifies who can ask for an order to prevent child abduction and what information they need to provide.
  • Lists factors that courts must consider before deciding if there is credible risk of abduction.

Who it affects

  • Children under 18 years old who are not legally independent.
  • Parents and guardians involved in custody disputes.
  • Courts handling child custody cases.

Limits and unknowns

  • The act only applies to cases within Wyoming's jurisdiction.
  • It does not cover situations where the child has already been taken out of the country.
  • Courts must follow specific rules when deciding if there is credible risk and what measures to take.

Plain language

Terms to know

Abduction
Taking or keeping a child without permission, breaking the law about where a child should live or visit.
Credible risk of abduction
Evidence that shows there is a real danger someone might take a child away.

Official record

Sources

Source checked
Read the official summary

Bill Summary - 24LSO-0044 Bill No.: SF0036 Effective: 7/1/2024 LSO No.: 24LSO-0044 Enrolled Act No.: SEA No. 0032 Chapter No.: 90 Prime Sponsor: Joint Judiciary Interim Committee Catch Title: Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act. Has Report: No Subject: Child custody and visitation. Summary/Major Elements: This act adopts the Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act (UCAPA) in the state of Wyoming. The UCAPA authorizes a district court to order child abduction prevention measures and conditions if, following a hearing, the court finds the evidence establishes there is a credible risk of abduction of a child. The UCAPA statutes: Contain definitions; Specify who may file a petition for an abduction prevention order (a party to a child custody determination or another person or entity having a right under the law of this state or any other state to seek a child custody determination for the child); Specify requirements for a petition for an abduction prevention order; A uthorize a court on its own motion to enter an abduction prevention order in a child custody proceeding; Specify factors that a court must consider in determining whether the evidence establishes there is a credible risk of abduction of a child; Provide a list of measures and conditions that a court may order if it finds the evidence establishes there is a credible risk of abduction of a child; Require a court to give due consideration to the custody and visitation rights of the parties when entering an abduction prevention order; Specify the duration of an abduction prevention order; and Authorize a court to issue an ex parte warrant to take physical custody of a child if the court finds there is a credible risk that a child is imminently likely to be abducted. 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 8, 1:05 AM

Art Washut

R · H36

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the bill because credible risks of child abduction occur in Wyoming, including cases where children are taken to countries with no return agreements. As a father, he emphasizes the need for preemptive tools to prevent parents from losing access to their children.

Public statementFloor statement at 2:17:56 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the bill because it enables interstate cooperation between courts, allowing for depositions and testimony across state lines in child abduction cases.

Public statementFloor statement at 2:20:55 Watch the statement

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

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

5 roll calls

H 3rd Reading:Passed 42-19-1-0-02024-03-05 · House42 yes 19 no
H01 - Judiciary:Recommend Do Pass 6-2-1-0-02024-03-01 · House6 yes 2 no
S 3rd Reading:Passed 30-1-0-0-02024-02-22 · Senate30 yes 1 no
S01 - Judiciary:Recommend Do Pass 5-0-0-0-02024-02-14 · Senate5 yes 0 no
S Introduced and Referred to S01 - Judiciary 27-4-0-0-02024-02-12 · Senate27 yes 4 no

Official activity

Bill history

  1. Assigned Chapter Number 90LSO
  2. Governor Signed SEA No. 0032 Governor
  3. H Speaker Signed SEA No. 0032House
  4. S President Signed SEA No. 0032Senate
  5. Assigned Number SEA No. 0032LSO
  6. H 3rd Reading:Passed 42-19-1-0-0House
  7. H 2nd Reading:PassedHouse
  8. H COW:PassedHouse
  9. H Placed on General FileHouse
  10. H01 - Judiciary:Recommend Do Pass 6-2-1-0-0House
  11. H Introduced and Referred to H01 - JudiciaryHouse
  12. H Received for IntroductionHouse
  13. S 3rd Reading:Passed 30-1-0-0-0Senate
  14. S 2nd Reading:PassedSenate
  15. S COW:PassedSenate
  16. S Placed on General FileSenate
  17. S01 - Judiciary:Recommend Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0Senate
  18. S Introduced and Referred to S01 - Judiciary 27-4-0-0-0Senate
  19. S Received for IntroductionSenate
  20. Bill Number AssignedLSO