Domestic violence protection orders-affirmative defense.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill did not pass, so its provisions are not currently in effect or part of the law.

Affirmative Defense for Violation of Domestic Violence Protection Orders

The bill proposes an affirmative defense in court if a victim requests the violation of a domestic violence protection order.

What This Bill Does

• Adds a new subsection (k) to existing law that allows a perpetrator to use as a defense in court if the victim requested them to violate the protection order.

Who It Names or Affects

• People who are accused of breaking domestic violence protection orders
• Victims of domestic violence

Terms To Know

Affirmative defense

A reason given in court to show why someone should not be found guilty of a crime.

Domestic violence protection order

An official document that tells one person to stay away from another person who they have hurt or threatened.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill did not pass and was never introduced in the legislature.
• It is unclear how often victims might ask perpetrators to break protection orders.

Current Bill Text

25LSO-0480
2025
STATE OF WYOMING
25LSO-0480
Numbered
2.0

HOUSE BILL NO. HB0127

Domestic violence protection orders-affirmative defense.

Sponsored by: Representative(s) Styvar, Brady, Filer, Singh and Webb and Senator(s) Nethercott

A BILL

for

AN ACT relating to domestic violence protection; providing a conforming affirmative defense to a charge of a violation of a domestic violence protection order; making conforming amendments; and providing for an effective date.

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

Section 1
.

W.S. 35
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21
‑
105(g) and by creating a new subsection (k) is amended to read:

35
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21
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105.

Order of protection; contents; remedies; order not to affect title to property; conditions.

(g)

Except as provided in subsection (k) of this section, n
o act of the petitioner or the respondent may be construed to waive or nullify any provision of an order of protection.

(k)

A request by the victim for the perpetrator to violate an order of protection issued under this section or a temporary order of protection issued under W.S. 35
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21
‑
104 shall constitute an affirmative defense to a charge of violation of the order by the perpetrator.

Section 2
.

This act is effective July 1, 2025
.

(END)

1
HB0127