Charges
Caregiver Neglect Laws
Financial Exploitation Laws
Physical Abuse Laws
Sexual Abuse/Assault Laws
Statutes
Abuse, neglect, abandonment, intimidation or exploitation of a vulnerable adult; penalties.
(a) Except under circumstances constituting a violation of W.S. 6-2-502, a person is guilty of abuse, neglect, abandonment or exploitation of a vulnerable adult if the person intentionally or recklessly abuses, neglects, abandons, intimidates or exploits a vulnerable adult.
(b) Reckless abuse, neglect, abandonment, intimidation or exploitation of a vulnerable adult is a misdemeanor, punishable by not more than one (1) year in jail, a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), or both, and registration of the offender’s name on the central registry.
(c) Intentional abuse, neglect or abandonment of a vulnerable adult is a felony punishable by not more than ten (10) years in prison, a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00), or both, and registration of the offender’s name on the central registry.
(d) Exploitation of a vulnerable adult is a felony punishable by not more than ten (10) years in prison, a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00), or both, and registration of the offender’s name on the central registry.
(e) As used in this section:
(i) “Abandonment” means as defined in W.S. 35-20-102(a)(i);
(ii) “Abuse” means as defined in W.S. 35-20-102(a)(ii);
(iii) Repealed by Laws 2020, ch. 87, § 3.
(iv) “Central registry” means the registry established under W.S. 35-20-115;
(v) “Exploitation” means as defined in W.S. 35-20-102(a)(ix);
(vi) “Neglect” means as defined in W.S. 35-20-102(a)(xi);
(vii) “Vulnerable adult” means as defined in W.S. 35-20-102(a)(xviii).
State Mandated Reporting
Wyoming
Who has to report?
Any person or agency.
When to report?
Any person or agency who knows
or has reasonable cause to believe that a vulnerable adult is being or has been abused, neglected, exploited, intimidated, abandoned, or is committing self-neglect.
How to report?
Reports shall be made immediately to a law enforcement agency or the Department of Family Services. Reports may be made orally or in writing.
Wyoming Adult Protective Services: 307-777-3602
Contact the local DFS office, info at