Sen. Laura Pearson

Maddy summaryHB 152 requires blood donors in Wyoming to disclose if they've received a COVID-19 or mRNA vaccine. Blood from vaccinated donors must be clearly labeled on packaging and related paperwork. Patients receiving blood transfusions (in non-emergency situations) can request blood from unvaccinated donors if available at their facility. The bill defines key terms like "mRNA vaccine" and directs the state health department to create implementing rules. It does not change blood safety standards but adds disclosure and labeling requirements for donor vaccination status.

Maddy summaryHB 287 requires Wyoming counties to reimburse individuals for legal costs (including attorney fees and bail) when they successfully use self-defense in criminal cases and are found not guilty, have charges dismissed, or are released from prosecution. It also mandates courts to automatically expunge all related criminal records in these cases, removing arrest and prosecution history from public records. The bill directly affects people facing criminal charges who defend themselves, streamlining access to reimbursement and record removal through simplified court petitions with no filing fees.

Maddy summaryHB 158 requires Wyoming's legislature to install an electronic voting system in both chambers of the state capitol. It appropriates $250,000 from the general fund specifically for planning, purchasing, and installing devices at each legislator's desk to cast votes electronically, with systems required to display results in chambers and online. The bill mandates security measures to ensure votes are cast by individual legislators and specifies that any additional system functions must fit within the budget. The funds must be spent by June 30, 2026, and unspent money reverts to the state. This bill directly affects Wyoming legislators and their voting process, with no policy changes beyond modernizing the voting mechanism.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 241, the Telehealth Freedom Act, allows licensed healthcare providers from other states to offer telehealth services to Wyoming residents without needing a Wyoming license. This applies to providers physically located outside Wyoming who notify the relevant licensing board before starting services (unless an established patient relationship exists). The bill defines telehealth as electronic medical communication between a provider and patient in different locations and modifies existing licensing statutes to include this exception. It directly affects out-of-state healthcare professionals seeking to serve Wyoming patients remotely and expands access to telehealth services for residents.

Maddy summaryHJ 6 is a proposed constitutional amendment to change Wyoming's judicial selection process. It would replace the current system - where judges are appointed by the governor from a list by a judicial nominating commission and then face retention votes - with direct elections. Under this amendment, justices and judges would run for re-election at general elections (instead of retention votes) to serve new terms, and the judicial nominating commission would be abolished. This change would apply to all Wyoming Supreme Court justices and district court judges, affecting how judicial offices are filled and maintained. The amendment requires voter approval at the next general election to become part of the Wyoming Constitution.

Maddy summaryHB 330 raises the estate value threshold for simplified probate procedures in Wyoming from $200,000 to $750,000. This change directly affects Wyoming residents and nonresidents with estates valued under $750,000 (after liens), allowing them to use streamlined processes without full court administration. Key provisions include enabling heirs to file affidavits for asset collection and summary distribution, and simplifying probate for nonresident estates with property in Wyoming under the new limit. The bill also clarifies rules for disclaimers of property interests. It becomes effective July 1, 2025.