Wyoming lawmakers are taking steps to make it easier for property owners to remove squatters from residential properties.
A bill sponsored by the Legislature’s Joint Judiciary Committee aims to streamline the process, allowing property owners to request law enforcement’s immediate assistance in removing unauthorized occupants, provided certain conditions are met.
This move comes after a property owner in Casper expressed frustration with law enforcement’s limited role in dealing with squatters.
The proposed law would also introduce harsher penalties for squatting that involves property damage, making it a felony with potential prison time and fines.
While the bill is largely modeled after a similar law in Florida, it has sparked some debate. Critics, particularly Democrats on the committee, argue that existing trespassing laws are sufficient and that the bill might bypass necessary due process, such as involving judges in eviction cases.
The legislation, however, has been tailored to focus specifically on squatters in residential homes and aims to avoid the broader issues of tenant disputes or evictions.
The bill includes safeguards, such as requiring the property owner or their authorized agent to request removal, and ensures that law enforcement verifies ownership before taking action.
Amendments to clarify that the law does not apply to current or former tenants were made to reduce potential liabilities for law enforcement. The bill passed the committee with a 10-4 vote and will likely move forward with additional discussions.