Wyoming HB159: Safeguarding personal expression at K-12 schools.

What the bill says

An act relating to education; specifying protections for speech and expression by students at public schools; specifying activities in which students may engage at schools; specifying remedies; authorizing a cause of action; providing definitions; making conforming amendments; amending the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act; and providing for an effective date.

From the introduced text, February 10, 2026:

AN ACT relating to education; specifying protections for speech and expression by students at public schools; specifying activities in which students may engage at schools; specifying remedies; authorizing a cause of action; providing definitions; making conforming amendments; amending the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act; and providing for an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming: Section 1. W.S. 1-39-125 and 21-3-601 are created to read: 1-39-125. Liability; student expression at schools; waiver. HB0159 2026 STATE OF WYOMING 26LSO-0411 (a) A governmental entity is liable for damages resulting from a violation of W.S. 21-3-601 in accordance with W.S. 21-3-601(g). (b) A school as defined by W.S. 21-3-601(a)(i) waives immunity under the eleventh amendment to the United States constitution and consents to suit in a federal court for lawsuits arising under W.S. 21-3-601. A school that violates W.S. 21-3-601 shall not be immune from suit or liability for the violation. ARTICLE SAFEGUARDING FREE EXPRESSION 21-3-601. Protections for student speech and expression; definitions; remedies. (a) As used in this section: (i) "School" means any school specified in W.S. 21-3-101 and shall not include privately run schools; HB0159 2026 STATE OF WYOMING 26LSO-0411 (ii) "Student" means a person who is enrolled in a school on a full-time or part-time basis. (b) No student shall be discriminated against or penalized …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Christopher Knapp (R, H53)
• Lien, Jayme (R, H38) · primary sponsor
• Ann Lucas (R, H43)
• McCann, Darin (R, H48)
• Neiman, Chip (R, H01)
• Michael Yin (D, H16)
• Hutchings, Lynn (R, S05)
• Steinmetz, Cheri (R, S03)

Latest actions

1. March 3, 2026: S COW:S Did not consider for COW
2. February 27, 2026: S Placed on General File
3. February 27, 2026: S04 - Education:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0
4. February 25, 2026: S Introduced and Referred to S04 - Education
5. February 24, 2026: S Received for Introduction
6. February 24, 2026: H 3rd Reading:Passed 52-7-3-0-0
7. February 23, 2026: H 2nd Reading:Passed
8. February 21, 2026: H 2nd Reading:Laid Back
9. February 20, 2026: H 2nd Reading:Laid Back
10. February 19, 2026: H COW:Passed

Votes

• S04 - Education:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0 (February 27, 2026): 5 yea, 0 nay, passed
• H 3rd Reading:Passed 52-7-3-0-0 (February 24, 2026): 52 yea, 7 nay, passed
• H04 - Education:Recommend Do Pass 7-1-1-0-0 (February 19, 2026): 7 yea, 1 nay, passed
• H Introduced and Referred to H04 - Education 46-15-1-0-0 (February 13, 2026): 46 yea, 15 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB159?

HB159 is a bill in the Wyoming Legislature (2026 Budget Session): Safeguarding personal expression at K-12 schools.

What does HB159 do?

In its own words: An act relating to education; specifying protections for speech and expression by students at public schools; specifying activities in which students may engage at schools; specifying remedies; authorizing a cause of action; providing definitions; making conforming amendments; amending the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act; and providing for an effective date.

What is the status of HB159?

Failed as of March 3, 2026. Latest action: S COW:S Did not consider for COW (March 3, 2026).

Who sponsored HB159?

Lien, Jayme (R, H38), with 7 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB159?

On the Wyoming Legislature website: https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2026/HB0159