Use of fraudulent documents to wrongfully possess property.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill did not pass and will not become a law, so the effective date of July 1, 2025, is not applicable.

Using Fake Papers to Get Property

The bill proposes making it illegal to use false documents to gain or keep possession of property and sets penalties for such actions.

What This Bill Does

• Creates a new law that says using false papers to take over someone else's property is a crime.
• Defines 'document' as any kind of writing, whether on paper or in digital form.
• Defines 'property' specifically as real property improved by a dwelling, structure, or other building.
• Says anyone who uses fake documents to get or keep possession of such property can be punished by up to 10 years in jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
• Makes the new law start on July 1, 2025.

Who It Names or Affects

• People who might use fake documents to take over someone else's property
• Law enforcement agencies that will enforce this new law

Terms To Know

Document

Any kind of writing, whether in physical, electronic or another form.

Property

Real property improved by a dwelling, structure, or other building.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill did not pass and will not become a law.
• It does not specify what happens to people who use fake documents before the new law starts in July 2025.

Current Bill Text

25LSO-0131
2025
STATE OF WYOMING
25LSO-0131
ENGROSSED
3.0

SENATE FILE NO. SF0011

Use of fraudulent documents to wrongfully possess property.

Sponsored by: Joint Judiciary Interim Committee

A BILL

for

AN ACT relating to crimes and offenses; establishing the offense of using fraudulent documents to gain or remain in possession of property; specifying penalties; providing definitions; and providing for an effective date.

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

Section 1
.

W.S. 6
‑
3
‑
616 is created to read:

6
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3
‑
616.

Use of fraudulent documents to gain or remain in possession of property.

(a)

As used in this section:

(i)

"Document" means a writing, whether in physical, electronic or another form;

(ii)

"Property" means real property improved by a dwelling, structure or other building.

(b)

A person is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than ten (10) years, a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00), or both, if the person intentionally uses a document that the person knows or reasonably should know is false or fraudulent to gain or remain in possession of property or to claim a right to property for which the person does not have a legal right to possess or claim a right.

Section 2
.

This act is effective July 1, 2025
.

(END)

1
SF0011