SF 36, the Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act, allows Wyoming courts to order preventive measures when there's credible evidence a child may be abducted. It directly affects parents, guardians, and courts in child custody cases by creating a legal framework for proactive intervention. Key provisions include requiring courts to assess specific risk factors (like prior abduction attempts, unusual financial activity, passport applications, or domestic violence history) before ordering measures such as restricting travel documents or requiring supervised exchanges. The bill defines critical terms like "abduction" (wrongful removal/retention) and "child custody determination" to standardize court actions. It applies to any child custody proceeding where abduction risk is established, aligning Wyoming with the Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act model.
This bill allows special districts in Wyoming that failed to meet annual audit reporting requirements to request reinstatement instead of automatic dissolution. It requires districts to fix reporting issues by April 1 of the following year, submit a corrective plan approved by county commissioners, and obtain written certification of compliance from the state audit department. If reinstated, the district is treated as if it never dissolved, preserving its legal status and operations. The bill directly affects local special districts (like water or fire districts) that missed reporting deadlines, providing a structured path to avoid termination.
Wyoming's SF 123 removes the requirement for public notice when changing a minor child's name. The bill specifically affects natural or adoptive parents and legal guardians seeking to change a minor's name, provided all such parents or guardians sign the request. Under the change, courts will no longer need to publish the name change request in a newspaper or similar public forum for these cases. The law takes effect on July 1, 2024.
Wyoming's SF 52 amends the Wyoming Stable Token Act to allow stable token issuers to invest reserves in cash and specific government securities (like U.S. treasury bills under one year). It gives the Wyoming Stable Token Commission authority to issue different token types/amounts and contract with financial service providers. The bill requires reporting only for fully reserved tokens (tokens backed 100% by reserves) and updates criminal history record procedures for commission staff. This bill, effective immediately, modifies existing regulations without creating new obligations for token holders.
This bill modifies Wyoming law to exempt certain special districts from requiring voter approval for bond elections when borrowing funds from federal or state entities. It specifically applies to improvement/service districts and water/sewer districts that agree to repay loans solely from revenues generated by the associated service or project, with security limited to those revenues or project assets. The change eliminates the need for a public vote on these specific financing arrangements, streamlining the process for districts seeking to fund infrastructure improvements. The exception applies only to new bonds issued after July 1, 2024, and does not affect bonds already approved before that date.
SF 90 creates a state-managed investment pool allowing Wyoming cities, towns, counties, school districts, and other local governments to pool their existing funds for equity investments (like stocks) through the state treasurer. Local entities must acknowledge investment risks in writing and cannot seek state reimbursement for losses. The state treasurer will set rules for fund transfers, withdrawals, minimum pool sizes, and fees covering only actual costs. This bill modifies existing investment rules (W.S. 9-1-419) without creating new government spending, effective July 1, 2024.
Wyoming's SF 100 requires insurers and their intermediaries to pay pharmacies within 21 days for electronic pharmacy claims and 30 days for non-electronic claims, provided the claim is "clean" (complete with all required documentation). If payment isn't made on time, insurers must pay 18% annual interest. The bill defines "clean claims" as those without deficiencies, mandates insurers to notify pharmacies of missing information within 10-15 days, and prohibits insurers from charging pharmacies fees for payment processing. This applies to all pharmacy benefit contracts and takes effect July 1, 2024.
Wyoming's SF 53 adds one additional district judge position to the sixth judicial district, increasing its total to four judges. The bill appropriates $1,240,728 for the 2024-2026 biennium to fund the new judge's salary, benefits, office equipment, and facilities. It requires the district to provide suitable facilities, including a courtroom for 12-person juries, and authorizes four full-time equivalent positions to support the new judge. The bill takes effect July 1, 2024, directly affecting court operations in the sixth judicial district.
Wyoming's SF 80 amends definitions in solid waste management law to clarify what constitutes solid waste and recycling facilities. It excludes certain materials (like post-use polymers processed through advanced recycling) from "solid waste" definitions and creates new terms for "advanced recycling" (using processes like pyrolysis) and "advanced recycling facilities." This change specifically affects recycling operations that convert plastic waste into raw materials, removing them from standard solid waste management regulations. The bill requires the Environmental Quality Council to create implementing rules, with most provisions effective July 1, 2024.
HB 126 clarifies that home-based child care provided in a private residence (for up to 15 children regularly) is considered a "residential use" of property. This means property covenants that only allow "residential" uses cannot block family day care operations, unless the covenant explicitly and clearly prohibits child care. The law applies to existing and future property covenants that don't address child care directly. It takes effect on July 1, 2024, directly affecting homeowners operating family day care in their residences.
This bill amends Wyoming's public records law to explicitly include investigations conducted by the Department of Corrections (DOC) under the existing exception for investigatory records. It means DOC investigation records - like those related to prison security or staff misconduct - will now be withheld from public disclosure, similar to records held by police or sheriffs. The change directly affects individuals or organizations requesting DOC investigation files, making such records unavailable unless legally required to be released. The amendment takes effect July 1, 2024, and does not create new programs or funding.
HB 29 requires Wyoming's Attorney General's Division of Criminal Investigation to create and maintain a centralized database for unsolved homicides and felony sexual offenses (defined as cases unresolved for 3+ years after reporting). It mandates all state law enforcement agencies to submit specific case information to this database for cases reported on or after January 1, 1972. The bill appropriates $150,000 for database development and subsequent cold case investigations, with funds first used for the database and any remaining funds allocated to active investigations. The Attorney General must issue implementing rules and report on the database's progress by October 15, 2024.
