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Wyoming2024Enacted

SF0045

Civil Cause of Action for Exploited Vulnerable Adults

Last scannedOct 9, 2026, 2:19 AM

In one sentence

This law allows vulnerable adults to sue people who exploit them and lists specific individuals or entities that can file a lawsuit on behalf of the exploited adult.

What it does

  • Creates a civil cause of action for vulnerable adults who have been exploited.
  • Allows the exploited person, their guardian, agent, caregiver, or other interested parties to file a lawsuit.
  • Enables recovery of actual damages, punitive damages, and reasonable attorney's fees from those who exploit vulnerable adults.
  • Specifies that lawsuits can be filed in any court with proper jurisdiction.

Who it affects

  • Vulnerable adults who have been exploited
  • People or entities who exploit vulnerable adults

Limits and unknowns

  • Does not specify the exact types of exploitation covered beyond general terms.
  • The effectiveness and enforcement of this law are yet to be seen in practice.

Plain language

Terms to know

Civil cause of action
The right to sue someone in court for a legal wrong.
Exploitation
Taking unfair advantage of another person, especially financially or physically.

Official record

Sources

Source checked
Read the official summary

Bill Summary - 24LSO-0403 Bill No.: SF0045 Effective: 7/1/2024 LSO No.: 24LSO-0403 Enrolled Act No.: SEA No. 0015 Chapter No.: 53 Prime Sponsor: Nethercott Catch Title: Vulnerable adults-civil cause of action-2. Has Report: No Subject: Provides a civil cause of action for exploited vulnerable adults. Summary/Major Elements: This bill allows exploited vulnerable adults to have a civil cause of action against the person who exploited them. The bill also lists who may bring the civil cause of action, including the vulnerable adult's guardian, agent or caregiver. 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 5, 6:29 AM

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker explains that the bill provides a necessary civil cause of action to protect vulnerable adults from exploitation when law enforcement or power of attorney avenues are insufficient.

Public statementFloor statement at 16:23 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 56-2-4-0-02024-03-01 · House56 yes 2 no
H01 - Judiciary:Recommend Do Pass 9-0-0-0-02024-02-26 · House9 yes 0 no
S 3rd Reading:Passed 30-0-1-0-02024-02-21 · Senate30 yes 0 no
S01 - Judiciary:Recommend Do Pass 4-0-1-0-02024-02-19 · Senate4 yes 0 no
S Introduced and Referred to S01 - Judiciary 31-0-0-0-02024-02-14 · Senate31 yes 0 no

Official activity

Bill history

  1. Assigned Chapter Number 53LSO
  2. Governor Signed SEA No. 0015 Governor
  3. H Speaker Signed SEA No. 0015House
  4. S President Signed SEA No. 0015Senate
  5. Assigned Number SEA No. 0015LSO
  6. H 3rd Reading:Passed 56-2-4-0-0House
  7. H 2nd Reading:PassedHouse
  8. H COW:PassedHouse
  9. H Placed on General FileHouse
  10. H01 - Judiciary:Recommend Do Pass 9-0-0-0-0House
  11. H Introduced and Referred to H01 - JudiciaryHouse
  12. H Received for IntroductionHouse
  13. S 3rd Reading:Passed 30-0-1-0-0Senate
  14. S 2nd Reading:PassedSenate
  15. S COW:PassedSenate
  16. S Placed on General FileSenate
  17. S01 - Judiciary:Recommend Do Pass 4-0-1-0-0Senate
  18. S Introduced and Referred to S01 - Judiciary 31-0-0-0-0Senate
  19. S Received for IntroductionSenate
  20. Bill Number AssignedLSO