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HB 10: Sexually Explicit Materials in Libraries

What It Really Does

HB 10 is being framed as a bill to “protect families.” Here’s what it would actually do.

Opens the Door to Book Bans in Wyoming

HB 10’s definition of “sexually explicit material” is so broad that it could remove:

  • Books about puberty and sexual health

  • Materials about consent and healthy relationships

  • LGBTQ+ identity and family diversity books

  • Anatomy and biology textbooks

This bill doesn’t protect children — it limits their access to accurate, age-appropriate information about their own bodies and identities.

Weaponizes Lawsuits Against Libraries & Schools

HB 10 allows any resident to sue libraries and school districts.

That means:

  • Taxpayers pay for costly legal battles

  • Libraries face $500 per day penalties

  • Institutions are pressured to remove books preemptively

Instead of focusing on education, schools and libraries would be forced into constant legal defense.

This isn’t about protecting kids — it’s about intimidating educators.

Undermines Parental Rights

HB 10 takes decisions away from:

  • Parents

  • Professional librarians

  • Educators

And hands them to any resident with an agenda.

Instead of letting parents decide what is appropriate for their own children, this bill allows strangers to dictate what all children can access. That’s not parental rights. That’s government overreach.

The Bottom Line on HB 10

HB 10 would:

  • Encourage book bans

  • Cost taxpayers money

  • Replace parental choice with state mandates

If you believe Wyoming shouldn’t be banning books or wasting public funds, click the button below now to email the members of the House Judiciary Committee asking them to vote NO.

Tips for Writing Your Email

Keep it personal. Keep it simple. Your voice matters more than perfect wording.

  • Introduce yourself — share your name, where you live, and any role that’s relevant (parent, educator, business owner, faith leader, etc.).

  • Share why libraries matter to you — a childhood memory, a connection to a librarian, or why access to information is important to your family or community.

  • Explain why HB 10 concerns you — in your own words. Speak from the heart.

  • Make a clear ask — respectfully say, “Please vote NO on HB 10.”

  • Optional: If you feel comfortable, invite them to continue the conversation over coffee or by phone.

Don’t overthink it. Personal stories are powerful. Wyoming works best when neighbors speak up.

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HB 72: Obscenity Amendments

A Massive Expansion of Government Power

Supporters call HB 72 a bill for “decency.” But what’s decent about government regulating clothing, dancing, and library books? HB 72 dramatically expands Wyoming’s obscenity law — and removes protections that currently allow librarians and teachers to do their jobs safely.

Repeals Legal Protections for Librarians & Teachers

Current Wyoming law already criminalizes distributing obscene material to minors.

It also includes a critical exemption protecting:

  • Librarians

  • Teachers

  • Schools

  • Public libraries

HB 72 repeals that exemption.

That means librarians and educators could face:

  • Up to 1 year in jail

  • Up to $6,000 in fines

For simply doing their jobs.

Expands Censorship Beyond Constitutional Limits

HB 72 introduces a vague “harmful to minors” standard that:

  • Does NOT follow the constitutional Miller Test

  • Does NOT require evaluating works as a whole

  • Allows cherry-picking passages to justify removal

There are nearly identical laws in Florida (August 2025) and Missouri (November 2025) that were struck down as unconstitutional.

Passing HB 72 would invite expensive litigation that Wyoming taxpayers will lose.

Regulates Clothing & Live Performances

HB 72 expands the definition of prohibited material to include live performances and “gender-oriented material.”

It uses vague terms like:

  • “Provocative clothing”

  • “Lewd dancing”

  • “Gender-oriented material”

These undefined phrases could apply to:

  • Pride events

  • Drag performances

  • Ballet productions

  • School musicals

  • Cheerleading

  • Public festivals

This is not small government. This is broad regulation of personal expression.

Creates a “Heckler’s Veto” System

HB 72 allows any person, including out-of-state bad actors, to challenge library materials.

There is:

  • No requirement they be a parent

  • No limit on challenges

  • No requirement they live in the district

Organized groups could flood libraries with complaints, forcing removals.

Students have First Amendment rights to receive information. This bill directly threatens those rights.

The Bottom Line on HB 72

HB 72 would:

  • Criminalize librarians

  • Enable mass book removals

  • Regulate clothing and performance

  • Cost Wyoming taxpayers in court

Wyoming already has obscenity laws. HB 72 doesn’t make kids safer — it expands government control and guarantees legal battles.

👉 We’re watching this bill closely. Stay updated through our 2026 Legislative Bill Tracker: https://www.wyomingequality.org/2026leg