2012 Wyoming Statutes
TITLE 14 - CHILDREN
CHAPTER 3 - PROTECTION
14-3-307. Compliance inspections.

(a) The department of health, working with local law enforcement agencies and other local individuals and organizations at the discretion of the department, shall be the lead agency to ensure compliance with this article.

(b) The department of health shall develop strategies to coordinate and support local law enforcement efforts to enforce all state statutes relating to the prohibition of the sale of tobacco products to minors.

(c) The department shall have discretion to:

(i) Work with each local law enforcement agency; and

(ii) Coordinate local enforcement efforts that appropriately reflect the needs of the community.

(d) To coordinate the enforcement of state statutes relating to the prohibition of the sale of tobacco products to minors and to comply with applicable federal law, the department of health shall have authority to contract with or provide grants to local law enforcement agencies or other local individuals or entities having the appropriate level of enforcement authority on the local level to conduct random, unannounced inspections at retail locations where tobacco products are sold. The use of minors during inspections is authorized subject to the following:

(i) The written consent shall include notification that testimony in a subsequent court proceeding may be required. The written consent of the minor's parents or guardian shall be obtained prior to the minor participating in an inspection;

(ii) A minor participating in an inspection shall, if questioned, state his true age and that he is less than eighteen (18) years of age;

(iii) The minor's appearance shall not be altered to make him appear to be eighteen (18) years of age or older;

(iv) Neither a minor nor his parents or guardians shall be coerced into participating in such inspections;

(v) The person conducting the inspection shall photograph the participant immediately before the inspection and any photographs taken of the participant shall be retained by the person conducting the inspection;

(vi) Any participant in an inspection under this section shall be granted immunity from prosecution under W.S. 14-3-304 or 14-3-305.

(e) The person conducting an inspection under this section shall:

(i) Remain within sight or sound of the participant attempting to make the purchase;

(ii) Immediately inform in writing a representative or agent of the business establishment that an inspection has been performed and the results of the inspection;

(iii) Within two (2) days, prepare a report of the inspection containing:

(A) The name of the person who supervised the inspection;

(B) The age and date of birth of the participant who assisted in the inspection;

(C) The name and position of the person from whom the participant attempted to purchase tobacco products;

(D) The name and address of the establishment inspected;

(E) The date and time of the inspection; and

(F) The results of the inspection, including whether the inspection resulted in the sale or distribution of, or offering for sale, tobacco products to the minor.

(iv) Immediately upon completion of the report required under this subsection, provide a copy of the report to a representative or agent of the business establishment that was inspected;

(v) Request a law enforcement officer to issue a citation for any illegal acts relating to providing tobacco products to minors during the inspection.