State Indian Child Welfare Act Task Force.

HB 19 creates a task force to study how Wyoming can incorporate protections from the federal Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) of 1978 into state law. The task force includes tribal representatives (Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho councils), state officials, family law attorneys, and legislative members. It must study federal ICWA, other states' laws, and existing Wyoming protections, then recommend legislative changes by July 1, 2024. The group will receive $80,000 in funding ($40,000 for non-legislative members, $40,000 for legislative staff) and dissolve December 31, 2024. This bill directly affects tribal communities and child welfare systems by examining legal pathways to strengthen protections for Indian children.