Developments at the Wyoming Legislature

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - Developments at the Wyoming Legislature on Wed., Feb. 26, the 13th day of the 2014 Budget Session:

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES: The Senate gave initial approval to a House bill that would add several hallucinogenic substances to the state’s controlled substances list.

CHILDREN IN NEED OF SUPERVISION: The Senate gave initial approval to a House bill that would increase the age at which children could meet the legal classification of “children in need of supervision,” in the court system. It would raise the limit from being a child who hasn’t yet reached their 17th birthday to one who hasn’t reached their 18th birthday. Raising the limit could keep the additional children from going into the adult criminal court system.

DOMESTIC ASSAULT AND BATTERY: The Wyoming Senate for the second time approved a bill that would establish the criminal offenses of domestic assault and domestic battery. The bill already has passed the Wyoming House.

TAIWAN: The Senate gave preliminary approval to a resolution that calls on Congress to support Taiwan’s participation in appropriate international organizations and to resume free trade talks with Taiwan. The resolution already has passed in the House.

INVOLUNTARY HOSPITALIZATION: The House gave preliminary approval to a bill that would require county attorneys to represent the state in court matters involving the involuntary hospitalization of people for mental health issues. The bill already has passed the Senate.

UNLAWFUL ENTRY: The Senate for the second time approved a bill that would establish the criminal offense of unlawful entry into an occupied structure. The bill would make it a crime to enter into a building with the intent to commit a domestic battery against another person.