Bill No.: SF0025                  Drafter:  JHR

LSO No.:  09LSO-0038              Effective Date:  7/1/2009

Enrolled Act No.:  SEA0011

Chapter No.:       18

Prime Sponsor:     Joint Judiciary Interim Committee

Catch Title:       District courts-release of information.

Subject:  Provides that specified information relating to a sexual offense shall not be released prior to the filing of an information or indictment in a district court.

Summary/Major Elements:

· Under current law, there are two provisions, W.S. 6-2-310 and 6-2-319, that address restrictions on the release of information about the victim and alleged perpetrator of a sex offense, but the language in the two provisions differs to some extent.

· This bill:

· Repeals the older provision, W.S. 6-2-310, that does not address the authority of district courts;

· Broadens the more recent provision, W.S. 6-2-319, to address sex offenses that are not currently covered under the language of the section so that information with respect to victims of sex offenses, regardless of age, as well as alleged perpetrators is protected from disclosure prior to the filing of an information or indictment in district court.