HB0159

Failed

Protecting water from chemical abortion waste.

Establish environmental disposal requirements for chemical abortion drugs and impose criminal penalties for improper handling that contaminates water supplies.

Full legal title

AN ACT relating to abortions and environmental quality; specifying requirements for the provision of chemical abortions; specifying criminal and civil penalties and liability; specifying exceptions to criminal liability; specifying requirements for manufacturers of chemical abortion drugs; specifying environmental and disposal requirements for abortion drugs; specifying duties of the department of environmental quality; specifying applicability; providing for the conflict of laws; providing definitions; requiring rulemaking; and providing for an effective date.

Health

Sponsor:

Co-sponsors: Representative(s) Andrew, Brady, Brown, G, Campbell, K, Guggenmos, Haroldson, Heiner, Hoeft, Kelly, McCann, Rodriguez-Williams, Wasserburger, Senator(s) Hicks, Pearson, Salazar, Smith, D, Steinmetz

View on wyoleg.gov Introduced Text (PDF)Digest (PDF)Fiscal Note (PDF)

What does this bill do?

Regulates the provision of chemical abortions by health care providers and establishes liability for manufacturers of abortion drugs regarding environmental contamination.

Defines key terms including 'abortion,' 'abortion drug,' 'chemical abortion,' 'unborn baby,' 'pregnancy,' and related medical waste containers. (W.S. 35-6-201(a))
Requires health care providers to physically examine patients, be physically present when the patient ingests the first abortion drug, schedule a follow-up visit within seven days, and provide a catch kit and medical waste bag with instructions for proper disposal. (W.S. 35-6-202(a))
Establishes criminal penalties of up to three years imprisonment and fines up to $10,000 for health care providers who violate chemical abortion requirements; exempts pregnant women and providers treating ectopic pregnancies. (W.S. 35-6-202(b), W.S. 35-6-202(c))
Requires medical waste bags to have biohazard warning labels and be fluorescent orange or orange-red with contrasting lettering and symbols. (W.S. 35-6-202(d))
Prohibits abortion drugs from entering wastewater or public water supplies and makes manufacturers strictly liable for cleanup, remediation, and preventative measures related to endocrine-disrupting chemical byproducts that enter water systems. (W.S. 35-6-204(a), W.S. 35-6-204(b))
Allows civil actions against abortion drug manufacturers with a six-year statute of limitations and apportions liability among all manufacturers based on national market share if the specific manufacturer cannot be identified. (W.S. 35-6-204(c)(i), W.S. 35-6-204(b))
Eliminates specific defenses in civil actions, including constitutional challenges, reliance on overruled court decisions, comparative negligence, assumption of risk, and consent to abortion. (W.S. 35-6-204(c)(ii))
Grants state and political subdivisions and their officers sovereign, governmental, and official immunity from all actions, claims, and challenges related to this article. (W.S. 35-6-204(e), W.S. 35-6-204(f))
Limits courts from awarding declaratory or injunctive relief declaring any provision invalid or unconstitutional, and prohibits class certification in actions under this article.

Actions (6)

2/10/2025(House)

H COW:H Did not consider for COW

1/24/2025(House)

H Placed on General File

1/24/2025(House)

H10 - Labor:Recommend Do Pass 6-2-1-0-0

1/20/2025(House)

H Introduced and Referred to H10 - Labor

1/14/2025(House)

H Received for Introduction