The Wyoming legislature is grappling with significant issues during its current session, including bills related to abortion regulation and school restrooms for transgender students.
One key bill under consideration is the Regulation of Surgical Abortions, which mandates facility regulations and introduces criminal penalties for violations. This bill, which was vetoed by Governor Mark Gordon last year due to ongoing litigation around abortion, is back this year with amendments. The bill also includes the Protecting Water from Chemical Abortion Waste, which addresses environmental concerns surrounding the disposal of abortion drugs in wastewater. Both bills passed through the committee.
Rep. John Bear, a vocal advocate for the bills, expressed strong opinions on abortion, saying, “There are innocent children being killed, and so that’s why we’re going wherever we have to to protect those children.” He also questioned the effectiveness of current gun legislation in schools, comparing it to the debate over abortion.
The Senate Education Committee also discussed the Restrooms in Publicly Funded Schools bill, which mandates that students use restrooms corresponding to their birth gender, while making provisions for reasonable accommodations for transgender students. Sen. Chris Rothfuss criticized the bill, labeling it as a “top-down solution,” akin to the federal government’s mandates, and described it as “separate but equal.”
Lawmakers have raised concerns about the constitutionality of several bills, especially regarding equal protection rights and Title IX, which could lead to future legal challenges. The dissolution of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs at both the federal and state levels could also affect the progress and legal battles surrounding these bills.
In abortion-related legislation, the Life is a Human Right bill, which seeks to ban all abortion care in Wyoming, has been struck down by the Teton District Court but is still headed to the Wyoming Supreme Court for a final decision. If the Supreme Court upholds the bill, it would effectively ban abortion in the state, marking a significant shift in the state’s approach to reproductive rights.
This week’s discussions show the ongoing political and legal tension surrounding these issues, with potential for significant changes in both healthcare and education policies in Wyoming.