Wyoming Dems call library-fines bill an attack on free speech — and on parents’ rights

The Wyoming Democratic Party is urging supporters to keep the heat on a proposal that would punish libraries for kids’ access to “sexually explicit” books, calling the idea both a free-speech threat and a swipe at parental rights.

In posts and statements this week, party officials said the draft legislation “has no place in a free society,” adding:

“It’s not only an attack on free speech — it’s an attack on parental rights. Wyomingites don’t appreciate politicians telling them how to think, what to say, or what to read.”

A version debated in August by the Legislature’s Joint Judiciary Committee would:

• Slap civil fines of $50,000 per offense on school or public libraries each time a minor accesses material the bill defines as “sexually explicit.”
• Open the door to lawsuits against libraries, allowing courts to issue injunctions, damages, costs, and attorney fees.
• Define “sexually explicit” broadly to include depictions or descriptions of sexual acts in words or images.

That eye-popping fine drew laughs at the hearing because schools could be fined under the bill — and fines ultimately flow into school coffers. Still, Republicans on the panel say they intend to keep working on the concept, even if the draft changes.

Committee co-chair Rep. Art Washut (R-Casper) has knocked past drafts for being clunky to enforce, not for their aims. He thinks most libraries would already clear a reasonable standard, but acknowledges the current penalties need work.

• On the $50,000 per-instance fine: “Seems excessive,” he said, adding there should be a formal challenge process so fines (and courts) aren’t triggered automatically.
• On scope: “I think when the list comes out … what individual libraries are moving to the adult section … it’s going to be a fairly short list.”

Rep. Tom Kelly (R-Sheridan) also backs the goal of keeping explicit content out of kids’ sections, while criticizing sloppy drafting. He said many opponents are misreading the bill and noted he’s received templated emails — some literally still saying “delete this text and insert your own message.”

Whether the measure can even get a hearing in next year’s budget session is an open question; non-budget bills need a two-thirds vote to be introduced. Washut says a tighter bill could still make it to Gov. Mark Gordon’s desk.

Democratic leaders argue the Legislature is wasting time and taxpayer money while trying to control what families can access locally.

“The idea that teachers and librarians should be personally liable for what’s on a library shelf is outrageous and, frankly, ridiculous — especially in a world where the internet exists,” the party said.

With Republicans holding a supermajority, Dems say their strategy is to amend, stall, or kill the bill before it hits the floor.

The Wyoming Library Association opposes the proposal and says local policies already handle complaints and age-appropriate placement. Past WLA president Lindsey Travis, now Sweetwater County Library Systems director, said the bill would create a climate of fear and punish professionals who work closely with families.

“Books help people name emotions and experiences they don’t know how to talk about,” she said, adding that seeing yourself in a story can be vital for kids dealing with uncertainty or trauma.

The WLA is urging people to contact Judiciary Committee members and attend the next hearing. The ACLU of Wyoming has posted a draft message for residents who want help framing their comments.

What’s next — and what’s at stake

• Hearing: The Joint Judiciary Committee meets Oct. 13 in Cheyenne to decide whether to advance a revised bill toward the 2026 session.
• Targets: Frequently challenged titles last year included The Bluest Eye, Tricks, and Crank. The current draft wouldn’t ban books outright, but it would remove “sexually explicit” materials from school libraries and kids’ sections in public libraries — and punish institutions that fall short.
• Penalty: As written, institutions could face a $50,000 civil penalty per offense, plus litigation risk — a structure even some Republicans say they want to recalibrate.

Expect a slimmer, more legally defensible version to surface — and a bigger fight over who decides what Wyoming kids can (and can’t) read: lawmakers in Cheyenne, or families and librarians at the local level.

With input from Cowboy State Daily and Wyoming News Now.