Rep. Pepper Ottman

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 109 prohibits the use of specific abortion drugs (like mifepristone and misoprostol) for terminating pregnancies, affecting doctors, pharmacists, and anyone distributing or prescribing these drugs. Exceptions include contraceptive use before pregnancy confirmation, treatment of natural miscarriages under medical guidelines, and cases where a patient faces an immediate physical danger to life or health (excluding psychological conditions), or pregnancy from incest/sexual assault. Violations carry misdemeanor penalties of up to six months in jail or a $9,000 fine. Women seeking abortions using these drugs are explicitly exempt from criminal prosecution under this law.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (SF 133) prohibits male students from competing on teams designated for female students in K-12 interscholastic sports. It requires schools to designate teams as "male," "female," or "coed" based on biological sex at birth (defined as "genetics and anatomy at birth" in Section 21-25-101(iv)). The bill also creates a commission to determine eligibility if courts invalidate the main prohibition (Section 21-25-202), but its core effect is to bar male students from female-designated teams. It directly affects public and private K-12 schools and student athletes in Wyoming.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 174 creates a new Wyoming Charter School Authorizing Board to oversee public charter schools statewide. The board, consisting of five members (including the state superintendent and appointees from the governor, Senate, and House), will approve, renew, and oversee charter schools under specific quality standards. The bill modifies how charter schools are authorized (replacing school district oversight with the state board), adjusts funding rules, and requires transparency in decision-making. This directly affects public charter schools, their governing boards, and the state education department as the local education agency.

Maddy summaryHB 76 amends various Wyoming licensing board statutes by removing outdated language, obsolete dates, and redundant requirements. It specifically eliminates the state board's requirement to conduct cosmetology exams, updates continuing education rules for occupational therapists, and removes references to an accreditation committee for respiratory care practitioners. The bill affects multiple licensed professions, including cosmetology, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, and real estate, by modernizing administrative procedures without creating new obligations. Key changes streamline existing rules by deleting expired provisions while maintaining current licensing processes. The bill takes effect upon enactment, with no new financial or operational impacts on licensees.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows elected and appointed town officers in Wyoming (such as mayors and council members) to voluntarily waive their salary or compensation at any point during their term. It amends existing law to explicitly state that officers entitled to pay may choose not to receive it, without affecting other officials' existing rights. The change is procedural and takes effect immediately upon enactment, providing a clear option for officers who wish to serve without pay.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 172 requires state investment managers and trustees to consider **only financial factors** when managing state funds, such as retirement systems and government accounts. It prohibits considering social, political, or environmental goals (like climate action, diversity initiatives, or gun industry divestment) as part of investment decisions. The bill mandates that investment entities and their fiduciaries provide written commitments to follow this rule, restricts proxy voting to outside advisors who comply, and requires annual public reporting of voting records. This directly affects the Wyoming Retirement System, state treasurer, and all investment managers handling state funds.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 102, the Food Freedom Act, allows home producers to directly sell homemade eggs, dairy, and non-hazardous foods (like baked goods) without state inspection, provided they follow specific rules. It prohibits Wyoming from enforcing food inspection standards stricter than those set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Sellers must clearly label products as "not inspected" and avoid displaying them alongside commercially inspected foods in stores. The law applies to sales at farmers markets, farms, homes, or agreed-upon locations, with producers or designated agents (named in writing) facilitating transactions. It explicitly aligns state rules with federal requirements, preventing stricter state oversight for these home-based food sales.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 111) creates a new felony offense for intentionally administering medical procedures, drugs, or agents to change the sex of a child under 18. It directly affects minors under 18, their medical providers, and parents/guardians regarding certain medical treatments. Key exceptions include medical care for intersex conditions diagnosed before age 4, treatment for ambiguous genitalia at birth, and care for traumatic injuries or life-threatening conditions - excluding psychological or emotional issues. Consent from the child, parents, or guardians is not a valid defense against this offense. The law takes effect July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 143, the Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act, creates education savings accounts (ESAs) providing $6,000 annually per eligible student (adjusted for inflation) to cover qualifying education expenses. It directly affects Wyoming residents who are K-12 students not yet graduated, allowing parents or guardians to use ESA funds for private school tuition, online learning, tutoring, textbooks, technology, and other approved educational costs. The state treasurer administers the program, disbursements occur monthly, and funds come from a dedicated state account - not local taxes - with excess funds transferred to the school foundation program if balances exceed $30 million. Qualified schools (non-governmental, non-discriminatory) are explicitly not considered state or federal agents under this program.

Maddy summaryHB 119 authorizes Wyoming prescribers (physicians, physician assistants, dentists, and advanced practice nurses) and pharmacists to prescribe and dispense FDA-approved medications for off-label uses - treatments not specified in the drug's FDA labeling - without facing disciplinary action from licensing boards or employers. The bill explicitly excludes Schedule I/II controlled substances under federal law. It provides legal immunity from civil lawsuits or professional discipline for healthcare providers acting under these provisions, defining "off-label indication" as using approved drugs for unapproved medical purposes. The law takes effect July 1, 2023.