Sen. Jared Olsen

Maddy summaryHB 184 creates a criminal deferral program for juveniles (under 18) charged with specific misdemeanors who have no prior misdemeanor or felony convictions. Instead of facing trial, eligible juveniles can be placed on probation for up to 18 months, requiring them to report to court twice yearly, follow law-abiding behavior, avoid leaving the state without permission, and pay restitution to victims. If they complete probation successfully, charges are dismissed without a conviction. Violating probation terms may lead to trial or transfer to juvenile court, but successful completion avoids formal criminal records.

Maddy summarySJ 7 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would give the Wyoming legislature, not courts, the authority to define what constitutes "health care" for the purpose of the constitutional right to health care access. It would also require that any health care laws passed by the legislature undergo judicial review under the "rational basis" standard (meaning courts would only strike down laws lacking a reasonable connection to a government interest). This change would directly shift how health care decisions are legally defined and regulated in Wyoming, moving authority from judges to elected lawmakers. The amendment must be approved by Wyoming voters to become part of the state constitution.

Maddy summaryHB 77 repeals Wyoming's current zoning protest process (W.S. 15-1-603), ending a mechanism that allowed residents or property owners to challenge zoning decisions through formal petitions. The bill directly affects residents, developers, and local governments in cities and towns by removing this specific appeal method for new zoning actions starting July 1, 2026. However, it preserves the validity of any protests filed under the repealed law before July 1, 2026, ensuring ongoing cases aren't disrupted. The law is procedural, with no new requirements or funding impacts, simply eliminating an existing administrative process.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a process for the Wyoming Supreme Court to adjust court automation fees annually. It requires the Supreme Court to set fees based on actual costs (without exceeding them), maintain records, and submit annual reports to legislative committees. The fee changes directly affect courts (district, supreme, and municipal) and individuals filing court documents, as these fees fund court technology systems. The bill amends existing statutes to clarify that the $40 automation fee (currently charged for most civil filings) must be adjusted to cover technology costs, with the Supreme Court having authority to modify the amount. The bill focuses on procedural adjustments to fee-setting, not new services or eligibility changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases Wyoming's threshold for simplified probate procedures from $200,000 to $500,000 for estates. It directly affects residents and nonresidents with smaller estates (valued under $500,000 after debts) who qualify for streamlined distribution without full court supervision. Key provisions raise the value limit for summary procedures under W.S. 2-1-205, simplify nonresident estate processing under W.S. 2-11-201 and 2-11-202, and clarify disclaimer rules under W.S. 2-1-403. The changes take effect July 1, 2025, reducing administrative burdens for smaller estates.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Wyoming's Court Supervised Treatment Program Act to expand treatment options for individuals involved in the justice system. It changes "substance abuse" to "substance use" throughout the law, adds mental health treatment to program offerings, and allows programs to accept participants from any jurisdiction within Wyoming. The bill also permits public defenders to join treatment teams and represent participants, while updating definitions to clarify terms like "dual diagnosis" (co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders). These changes aim to improve access to integrated treatment and reduce incarceration for people with substance use disorders and mental health needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows special purpose depository institutions (SPDIs) in Wyoming to convert into public trust companies. It removes restrictions requiring SPDIs to serve only legal entities and lowers the minimum deposit requirement from $5,000 to $1,000. The bill also repeals a supervision fee for banks offering digital asset custodial services and creates a formal application process for conversion, including shareholder approval and detailed asset/liability plans. SPDIs converting under this law must adopt a new business name and operate as public trust companies without using terms like "bank" or "special purpose depository institution."

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (SF 125) defines "health care" in state law to clarify what legal actions qualify as health care. It specifies that medical procedures causing harm to body systems (like heart, brain, or organs) are *not* considered health care unless documented as medically necessary to save a pregnant woman’s life or for patients with no chance of meaningful recovery. The definition applies broadly to all Wyoming statutes and constitutional interpretations but excludes the Wyoming Health Care Decisions Act. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, aiming to protect public health and welfare through clear legal standards.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 43 requires commercial websites that profit from content harmful to minors (such as obscene material or child pornography) to verify users' ages before allowing access. Covered platforms must use specific, accepted methods like driver's licenses, passports, or credit cards (excluding those not requiring users to be 18+) to confirm users are not under 18. The law creates legal liability for platforms that fail to verify ages, imposing penalties of up to $5,000 per violation, and allows parents or minors to sue for damages. It directly affects commercial online platforms hosting such content, not general websites or non-profit services.

Maddy summaryHB 94 removes a limit on the number of charter schools the Wyoming Charter School Authorizing Board can approve, effective March 15, 2025. Previously, the board could authorize no more than three (later amended to four) charter schools operated by entities other than school districts before July 1, 2026. The bill eliminates this cap, allowing the board to authorize any number of charter schools meeting statutory requirements. It directly affects the authorizing board and organizations seeking to establish new charter schools outside school district management.