SF0026

Provides legal protections for military personnel and state security officers who use force to defend military equipment and extends immunity for acts performed in their official duties.

• Creates an affirmative defense allowing state security officers, armed forces members, and Wyoming National Guard members in active state service on official duty to use reasonable force, including deadly force, to defend military equipment in accordance with published military regulations and doctrine. (W.S. 6-2-603, Sec. 1)
• Defines 'state security officer' as a person employed by the military department whose primary duties include being armed and securing military assets controlled by the military department. (W.S. 19-7-101(a)(xiii), Sec. 2)
• Extends existing immunity from civil or criminal liability to state security officers, in addition to National Guard members, for acts committed in performance of necessary duties under orders of the governor or lawful superior, provided the acts are not palpably illegal, excessively violent, or malicious. (W.S. 19-9-401(c), Sec. 2)
• Requires the state to provide legal counsel at state expense to state security officers and National Guard members defending against civil actions arising from acts committed in performance of official duties, with counsel subject to approval by the Wyoming attorney general. (W.S. 19-9-401(c), Sec. 2)

Effective: July 1, 2025

AI-generated summary · Verify against the official text (PDF) · Notice a problem? Let us know