Sen. Tara Nethercott

Maddy summaryHB 155 allows courts in Wyoming to create reintegration plans when parents petition to end a guardianship they previously lost. It directly affects parents seeking to regain custody of their children after a court determined them unfit, requiring courts to prioritize the child's best interests while presuming fit parents deserve custody. Key provisions let courts mandate graduated visitation, require parenting classes (with costs adjusted for the parent's ability to pay), or impose other specific conditions to safely return the child to the parent. The law applies to termination petitions filed on or after July 1, 2019, and was enacted without opposition.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 95 requires auto insurers to disclose when using non-original manufacturer parts in vehicle repairs and ensures those parts meet the same quality, fit, and performance as original parts. Insurers must clearly identify aftermarket parts on repair estimates and provide written notice in bold text to claimants about the use of non-original parts. Vehicle owners can request original manufacturer parts but must pay any additional cost if they choose them over equal-quality aftermarket options. The law, effective July 2019, enforces these requirements through Wyoming's Unfair Trade Practices Act.

Maddy summaryHB 41 changes the title of the University of Wyoming board president to "president chairman" and allows the board's executive committee to have more than three members. It amends specific Wyoming statutes (including those governing board appointments and financial reporting) to update references to this new title and committee structure. The bill directly affects the governance of the University of Wyoming by formalizing this title change and providing flexibility for the executive committee size. It took effect on July 1, 2019, with no new policy or funding changes.

Maddy summaryHB 147 changes Wyoming law to make foreign language instruction for kindergarten through second grade optional for school districts, rather than mandatory. School districts may choose to offer such programs, but if they do, they must follow state board standards for instruction. This bill directly affects all Wyoming public school districts serving K-2 students. It became effective July 1, 2019, after passing the Education Committee unanimously.

Maddy summaryHB 86 simplifies probate for property passed through family lines by creating a "summary distribution" process. It allows heirs or beneficiaries to directly claim property inherited through previous family members' estates without full court oversight, using a new definition of "distributee." The bill sets limits on creditor claims against distributed property and requires court decrees to be recorded as proof of ownership. This applies to property distribution cases filed after July 1, 2019, streamlining the process for qualifying heirs.

Maddy summaryHB 159 expands Wyoming's state self-insurance program to cover liability claims against volunteer reserve peace officers. It directly affects part-time and reserve officers employed by entities like the Wyoming State Board of Outfitters, the University of Wyoming, or local governments. The bill adds a new provision requiring the state self-insurance account to cover up to $20,000 per claim for these officers, paid dollar-for-dollar with their employing organization. This change ensures volunteer reserve officers receive the same liability coverage as full-time officers under the state's existing self-insurance framework.

Maddy summaryHB 90 allows current Wyoming community college police officers to choose between two retirement plans. It amends the law to include them under the "law enforcement officer" definition, enabling them to switch to the law enforcement retirement plan starting July 1, 2019. Officers had until April 30, 2019, to elect this change in writing to the Wyoming Retirement Board, with no option to reverse the decision. Service credit from prior retirement plans would not count toward the new law enforcement plan.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a legal barrier that previously prevented illegitimate children from inheriting from their parents under Wyoming's estate laws. It amends the definition of "child" in the estate code to include illegitimate children (aligning them with adopted children), repealing the prior exclusion. The change applies to all probate cases filed on or after July 1, 2019, ensuring illegitimate children have equal inheritance rights to legitimate children. It directly affects illegitimate children in Wyoming who now inherit under the same rules as other children.

Maddy summaryHB 220 creates a new income tax on businesses operating in Wyoming, requiring them to pay tax based on their income earned within the state. It uses a three-factor formula (property, payroll, and sales) to calculate how much tax a business owes, especially for companies operating across multiple states. The Wyoming Department of Revenue will administer the tax, with strict confidentiality rules protecting business tax returns. This bill directly affects businesses with operations in Wyoming, including out-of-state companies conducting business there.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 82 establishes a legal framework for "do not resuscitate" (DNR) directives, allowing any adult with medical decision-making capacity to formally request no CPR in end-of-life situations. The bill enables individuals to have a DNR designation visibly marked on their Wyoming driver's license or ID card, alongside standardized medical bracelets or signed directives. It specifies that DNR orders apply to medical care except in cases of trauma (like car crashes), and protects emergency responders and healthcare providers who follow valid DNR directives in good faith. The law also creates standardized forms for creating, revoking, and removing DNR designations from licenses.