Rep. John Bear

Maddy summaryHB 1001 prohibits Wyoming employers from requiring COVID-19 vaccinations as a condition of employment, except in limited circumstances. It mandates employers to provide medical and religious exemptions, offer reasonable alternatives (like reassignment or testing), and pay severance to employees who leave due to non-compliant mandates. The law applies broadly but specifically addresses critical staffing shortages in healthcare, requiring employers to document workplace safety justifications for any exceptions. It also creates programs for employer-funded testing and adjusts worker's compensation to cover vaccine-related injuries.

Maddy summaryHB 1014 prohibits employers from firing, threatening to fire, or coercing employees based on their COVID-19 vaccination status or related "immunity passport" documentation. It directly protects employees in Wyoming and holds employers liable for violations through remedies like reinstatement, up to $40,000 in damages per violation, and payment of legal fees. The bill amends Wyoming law to define key terms (like "vaccination status" and "immunity passport") and adds penalties for threatening employment to compel vaccination. It took effect immediately upon enactment under Wyoming's constitutional process.

Maddy summarySF 1014 prohibits employers from discharging, threatening to discharge, intimidating, blackmailing, or coercing employees based on their COVID-19 vaccination status or related documentation, such as a digital "immunity passport" showing vaccination or recovery. The bill creates legal remedies for affected employees, including reinstatement, up to $40,000 in damages per violation, and recovery of attorney fees. It also amends Wyoming's blackmail statute to specifically criminalize threatening an employee's job or educational opportunities to compel vaccination. The law would take effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 1017 prohibits school superintendents, school boards, and district trustees from creating rules about movement restrictions, activity limitations, or personal protective equipment to prevent contagious diseases. It repeals mandatory immunization requirements for students attending schools or childcare facilities and shifts authority for disease prevention measures to state or local health officers under existing law. The bill also modifies related statutes to align with these changes and takes effect July 1, 2022. This directly affects school officials who can no longer enforce health mandates and families who are no longer required to provide certain immunization records for school enrollment.

Maddy summarySF 1017 prohibits Wyoming school districts, the state superintendent, and state education boards from implementing any requirements related to contagious disease prevention, such as movement restrictions, activity limitations, or personal protective equipment mandates. It repeals mandatory immunization requirements for children attending schools and child care facilities, shifting authority for such measures exclusively to state or local health officers under existing health laws. The bill directly affects school districts, education officials, and students by eliminating school-level disease prevention policies and replacing them with health officer oversight. It became effective July 1, 2022, and makes conforming amendments to related statutes.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 1003 prohibits discrimination based on COVID-19 vaccination status in health insurance and public services. It bans insurers from denying coverage, increasing premiums, or limiting benefits due to vaccination status (Section 26-20-901), and prohibits requiring vaccination for access to services, employment, education, or public accommodations (Section 35-4-140). The bill also forbids asking about vaccination status or using "immunity passports" as a condition for services. Violations carry misdemeanor penalties (up to 6 months jail or $750 fine) and allow civil lawsuits for affected individuals. This law directly affects health insurers, businesses, schools, and employers operating in Wyoming.

2021/Summaries/HB0159.pdf