HB0273

Failed

Wyoming pregnancy centers-autonomy and rights.

Prohibit state agencies from regulating or overseeing pregnancy centers based on their anti-abortion positions.

Full legal title

AN ACT relating to public health and safety; providing legislative findings; prohibiting the state and specified governmental entities from adopting any law, rule or policy that targets pregnancy centers for oversight or regulation based on the centers' stance against abortion; providing definitions; providing penalties; specifying available damages; providing a right of intervention for members of the legislature as specified; making conforming amendments; and providing for an effective date.

Health

Sponsor:

Co-sponsors: Representative(s) Angelos, Haroldson, Harshman, Hoeft, Johnson, Ottman, Senator(s) Biteman, Boner, Brennan, French

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

What does this bill do?

Prohibits state and local governmental entities from adopting laws or policies that target pregnancy centers based on their stance against abortion, and establishes legal remedies for violations.

Establishes legislative findings that pregnancy centers provide comprehensive services to women facing unexpected pregnancies and have faced increased attacks since the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade. (Sec. 1)
Defines key terms including 'pregnancy center' as a nonprofit organization promoting childbirth and alternatives to abortion, and 'abortion' with exceptions for procedures to save the pregnant woman's life, treat miscarriage, remove ectopic pregnancy, or perform pre-viability separation. (W.S. 35-4-1102)
Prohibits state and local governmental entities from requiring pregnancy centers to offer, perform, refer, or counsel in favor of abortion, abortion-inducing drugs, or contraception. (W.S. 35-4-1103(a)(i)-(iv))
Prohibits governmental entities from requiring pregnancy centers to post advertisements or materials promoting abortion, abortion-inducing drugs, or contraception. (W.S. 35-4-1103(a)(v))
Prohibits governmental entities from restricting pregnancy centers' ability to provide pregnancy-related services, prenatal and postnatal resources, or medical care based on the centers' pro-life position. (W.S. 35-4-1103(a)(vi)-(viii))
Prohibits governmental entities from restricting medical pregnancy centers from counseling on pregnancy-related care including treatment to reverse effects of abortion-inducing drugs. (W.S. 35-4-1103(a)(ix))
Prohibits governmental entities from interfering with pregnancy center hiring and staffing decisions by requiring employment of persons who do not affirm the center's pro-life mission and operating procedures. (W.S. 35-4-1103(a)(x))
Allows pregnancy centers and aggrieved persons to bring civil actions for damages, declaratory relief, and injunctive relief, with prevailing parties entitled to three times actual damages, a minimum of five thousand dollars, plus attorney fees and costs. (W.S. 35-4-1104(a))