SF0094 • 2024

An act regarding compelled speech and state employers.

AN ACT relating to the administration of government; prohibiting the state and its political subdivisions from compelling speech as specified; authorizing a civil remedy; providing an exception to the Wyoming governmental claims act; and providing for an effective date.

Labor

Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor: Senator Hutchings
Last action: 2024-03-05
Official status: inactive
Effective date: 3/1/2024

Plain English Breakdown

The candidate explanation incorrectly stated that the bill would take effect on July 1, 2024. The bill did not pass and therefore has no legal effect.

An Act About Speech Rules for State Workers

This bill stops the state and its parts from making workers use specific pronouns as a condition of their job, grants people who are hurt by this rule to sue in court, and makes an exception to existing laws about suing the government.

What This Bill Does

It says that the state and local governments cannot force employees to use specific pronouns for other workers as a condition of employment or receiving benefits from the state or its subdivisions.
People can go to court if they think someone broke this new rule.
The bill changes how people can sue the government when it comes to speech rules about pronouns.

Who It Names or Affects

State and local government employees in Wyoming
People who might want to sue because of this new rule

Terms To Know

Compelled speech: When someone is forced to say or write something they don't want to.
Political subdivisions: Local governments like cities and counties.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill did not pass, so it has no legal effect.
It only applies to speech rules about pronouns in the workplace.

Bill History

2024-03-05 House
H Did not Consider for Introduction
2024-02-28 House
H Received for Introduction
2024-02-27 Senate
S 3rd Reading:Passed 21-10-0-0-0
2024-02-26 Senate
S 2nd Reading:Passed
2024-02-23 Senate
S COW:Passed
2024-02-20 Senate
S Placed on General File
2024-02-20 Senate
S03 - Revenue:Recommend Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0
2024-02-16 Senate
:Refer to S03 - Revenue
2024-02-14 Senate
S Introduced and Referred to S01 - Judiciary 28-3-0-0-0
2024-02-13 Senate
S Received for Introduction
2024-02-12 LSO
Bill Number Assigned

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

24LSO-0489
2024
STATE OF WYOMING
24LSO-0489
Numbered
2.0

SENATE FILE NO. SF0094

An act regarding compelled speech and state employers.

Sponsored by: Senator(s) Hutchings, French and Ide and Representative(s) Styvar and Ward

A BILL

for

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1
.

W.S. 9
‑
14
‑
301 is created to read:

ARTICLE 3
COMPELLED OR PROHIBITED SPEECH

9
‑
14
‑
301.

Compelled speech; civil action.

(a)

The state and its political subdivisions shall not compel or require an employee to refer to another employee using that employee's preferred pronouns:

(i)

As a condition of continuing or commencing employment or contracting with the state or a political subdivision;

(ii)

As a condition to receive a grant, contract, license or other benefit afforded by the state or a political subdivision; or

(iii)

Under threat of adverse action by the state or a political subdivision, including but not limited to an adverse employment action, exclusion, sanction or punishment.

(b)

Any person aggrieved by a violation of subsection (a) of this section may file a civil action in any court of competent jurisdiction against the state or any political subdivision, and its employees acting in their official capacities, responsible for the violation to recover appropriate relief, including injunctive or declaratory relief, compensatory damages, reasonable attorney fees and court costs.

Section 2
.

W.S. 1
‑
39
‑
104(a) is amended to read:

1
‑
39
‑
104.

Granting immunity from tort liability; liability on contracts; exceptions.

(a)

A governmental entity and its public employees while acting within the scope of duties are granted immunity from liability for any tort except as provided by W.S. 1
‑
39
‑
105 through 1
‑
39
‑
112
and 9
‑
14
‑
301
. Any immunity in actions based on a contract entered into by a governmental entity is waived except to the extent provided by the contract if the contract was within the powers granted to the entity and was properly executed and except as provided in W.S. 1
‑
39
‑
120(b). The claims procedures of W.S. 1
‑
39
‑
113 apply to contractual claims against governmental entities.

Section 3.

This act applies to civil causes of action that are initiated on or after the effective date of this act.

Section 4.

This act is effective July 1, 2024
.

(END)

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SF0094