Rep. Charles Pelkey

Maddy summaryHB 107 allows courts in Wyoming to terminate parental rights when a child was conceived as a result of sexual assault committed by the parent. The bill specifies that courts do not need to attempt family reunification and automatically accept a conviction (or guilty plea) for sexual assault as conclusive proof. It directly affects parents convicted of sexual assault who fathered children through that crime, and their children. The law took effect on July 1, 2019.

Maddy summaryHB 161 requires Wyoming's governor to appoint a statewide 911 coordinator - a qualified Wyoming voter - who ensures the state complies with federal grant requirements for 911 system funding. The coordinator manages federal funding alignment and can be removed by the governor. The bill mandates this appointment within 30 days of the law's effective date. This change directly affects how Wyoming administers its 911 emergency service funding under federal programs.

Maddy summaryHB 194 requires Wyoming Medicaid to cover air ambulance transport services for all residents, addressing the high costs (up to $75,000) that often cause financial hardship. It mandates a capped copay (up to 20% of costs for non-Medicaid-eligible residents) and creates an "air ambulance coverage account" funded by insurer assessments. The bill also requires state agencies to cover air ambulance services through Medicaid, with claims processed retroactively within 90 days. This policy directly affects Wyoming residents needing emergency air transport and aims to prevent bankruptcy from unaffordable medical bills.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 171 legalizes hemp production and processing by setting a 0.3% THC limit (on a dry weight basis) for hemp and hemp products. It requires licenses for producers and processors (with background checks and $500 annual fees), while allowing unrestricted possession and use of hemp products by all residents. The bill establishes enforcement through annual inspections, corrective action plans for violations, and misdemeanor penalties for intentional breaches. It also mandates a state regulatory plan, authorizes tribal agreements, and repeals conflicting laws.

Maddy summaryHB 125 increases filing fees for probate cases in Wyoming district courts from $50 to $75 and for civil cases from $85 to $110. It specifies that $25 of the civil filing fee funds court automation and $10 supports indigent civil legal services, with the remaining amounts covering court operations. This bill directly affects individuals and organizations filing probate or civil cases in Wyoming district courts. The fee changes took effect on July 1, 2019.

Maddy summaryHB 143 gives judges more discretion in sentencing by allowing them to skip or limit presentence investigation reports for felony defendants. The bill amends Wyoming law to state that courts may dispense with the report requirement or restrict its scope to factors relevant to sentencing, instead of mandating full reports in all felony cases. It specifically maintains the requirement for substance abuse assessments in certain felony cases (like third misdemeanors or felonies) and keeps the cost assessed to the offender. This directly affects felony defendants and courts by changing when detailed pre-sentence reports are needed before sentencing.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 115) modifies Wyoming law to automatically pause the expiration date of an order of protection when the person subject to the order is imprisoned. It directly affects victims seeking protection and individuals who are incarcerated under such orders. The key provision states that the order’s effective period stops running during the person’s imprisonment, resuming upon release. This ensures the protection order remains in effect without requiring court action during incarceration. The change applies to orders granted or modified on or after July 1, 2019.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Wyoming's Children's Trust Fund can spend money. Until the fund's total assets reach $5 million, the board may spend up to 90% of annual contributions plus prior year's interest. Once the fund exceeds $5 million, only interest income and specific other funds (like those from certain state fees) can be used. The rules took effect July 1, 2019.

Maddy summaryHB 144 would allow Wyoming peace officers to issue a citation (instead of making an arrest) for certain misdemeanors punishable by imprisonment if the person poses a danger to themselves or others, might damage property, might skip court, or refuses to accept the citation. For misdemeanors without imprisonment as a possible penalty, the bill would require officers to issue a citation rather than make an arrest unless the same four conditions are met. This change would directly affect how police handle minor criminal charges in Wyoming, reducing unnecessary arrests for low-level offenses. The key mechanism is expanding the circumstances under which a citation can replace an arrest, focusing on public safety and court appearance.

Maddy summaryHB 223, introduced in Wyoming's 2019 legislative session, proposed changing qualifications for county assessors by requiring them to own real property within their county. Currently, assessors only needed to be qualified electors; this bill would have added the property ownership requirement. If enacted, it would directly affect all future county assessor candidates in Wyoming. The bill died in committee and never became law, so no policy changes were implemented.