Wyoming Lawmakers Float $50K Fine for Letting Kids Access ‘Explicit’ Library Books

Wyoming lawmakers are taking another swing at limiting kids’ access to certain books — this time with a hefty fine attached.

A draft bill from the Legislature’s Joint Judiciary Committee would let people sue school or public libraries if minors get their hands on what the bill calls “sexually explicit materials.” If a lawsuit sticks, the penalty could be up to $50,000 per violation. That dollar figure isn’t set in stone yet, but it’s the starting point on paper.

The proposed law spells out a long list of what counts as “sexually explicit,” and it covers both public and school libraries. Right now, the way it’s written, the fine would hit the school district or public library system — not individual librarians — if someone working for them is found in violation.

Supporters say it’s about protecting kids. Critics call it government overreach. The Wyoming ACLU argues parents should be the ones deciding what their kids read, not the state.

“If you don’t like a book, don’t read it — or don’t let your kids read it. It’s as simple as that,” said Antonio Serrano, the group’s advocacy director. “Threatening librarians with fines will chill free speech and intellectual freedom.”

This isn’t Wyoming’s first attempt at this kind of legislation. Rep. Ann Lucas, R-Cheyenne, pushed a similar bill last session that failed to pass. She says the new draft adds technical details her version didn’t have, but still has one big flaw: it doesn’t give parents the final say.

“That’s something I think needs to be fixed,” she said in a radio interview over the weekend.

Bills that come straight from legislative committees usually have better odds of making it to the governor’s desk. But there’s a catch — 2026 is a budget session, which means non-budget bills need a two-thirds vote just to get introduced.

The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on the draft Tuesday, and changes are expected before anything heads to the floor. For now, the $50,000 question is whether lawmakers — and voters — see this as protecting kids or policing bookshelves.

The original story by Doug Randall for KGAB AM 650.