[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6671793,"mediaKeyId","2149267-3ccf8498e0c1e3338e7f10e5a9ad1888","parentId",2149267,"title","Committee advances bill to regulate ‘chemical abortion’ waste and water testing; DEQ flags technical limits","audioSeconds",4048,"startMs",2570000,"endMs",6618000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2149267-3ccf8498e0c1e3338e7f10e5a9ad1888&start=2570&end=6618","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2149267-3ccf8498e0c1e3338e7f10e5a9ad1888/thumbnail_2570000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6671793/Wyoming/Committee-advances-bill-to-regulate-chemical-abortion-waste-and-water-testing-DEQ-flags-technical-limits","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671793-c67379758c4cc8d90a3911f05e5a2bdd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180540&Signature=Vp-0TuQfR6vk1gXVfviAuYLA9KlZJ5Ru1aMq3WTLDybzpayzzCcXbqygzOo8qFGRxq7Njb~a3gVZV5tLa5VGiNQQSysi0PIhU4I33Fg5GCdjiyJBWZw~Bvq2DiiU5X-cMPeNwIXIlqT5vEP32XmFMGoRiO1H0DcuTvx6lUbb0ehpOHub9tbBxxY6T7WjW8v2DnYU7on0ipBmZlfpaXf9TC-M1HMmYkqawuEzHkTYoF4iyHvFB-i4vdVjTy6~wBnC62iOK5Dmkra~ja9rNa0ZFfCURueqE6aN8ceMHP0AuJ4c0zv7mF1uCvGjd01joewOOAst7yOAxiIl4QKpdYWQzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wyoming Legislature","date","2025-01-24T17:15:25.903Z","article","The House Labor, Health & Social Services Committee passed House Bill 159, a 25‑page measure the sponsor described as designed to protect water and public health from byproducts of medication abortions and to require physician oversight and specified disposal procedures for medication‑abortion waste.

Representative Bair (bill sponsor) told the committee the measure does not prohibit abortion but would require a physician to examine patients before prescribing mifepristone/misoprostol, require the physician be physically present when the first pill is taken, and require a follow‑up visit within seven days. The bill would also require providers to give patients a medical-waste bag and a “catch kit” to prevent drug residues and tissue from entering public wastewater; the draft includes civil and criminal liability for noncompliance and assigns liability to manufacturers if residues are detected in public water systems.

The bill prompted technical questions and lengthy public comment. Jennifer Zignet, water quality administrator for the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), told the committee that DEQ recognizes concerns about pharmaceuticals and endocrine-disrupting compounds but warned the agency lacks EPA‑approved analytical methods for the two primary chemicals discussed, that developing state water‑quality criteria would require toxicology contracts (DEQ’s fiscal note estimates roughly $300,000), and that sampling is unlikely to detect trace compounds because of dilution and sporadic releases. Zignet also said DEQ does not implement the Safe Drinking Water Act in Wyoming (EPA does) and suggested that some disposal standards might better fit the state’s solid and hazardous waste division.

Representative Bair cited an unpublished study the sponsor described as finding trace levels in potable water in three tested cities — figures the sponsor read as roughly 11.6 parts per trillion in one city and 2.6 parts per trillion in another — and urged the committee to address potential endocrine effects on wildlife and human reproductive health. Committee members pressed about source attribution, where Representative Clauston asked how a plaintiff would identify a manufacturer and Bair replied the bill apportions liability among manufacturers if a specific source cannot be identified.

Medical and public‑interest witnesses were sharply divided. Dr. Renee Henkel, an OB‑GYN in Cheyenne, testified that the FDA had concluded environmental exposure to mifepristone at estimated levels would not have a significant effect on the human environment and that metabolites were not shown to be teratogenic in animals. By contrast, proponents including Students for Life and several veterans and residents urged the committee to require manufacturer responsibility for cleanup and to mandate disposal and documentation of fetal tissue and byproducts.

Public‑comment speakers raised implementation concerns for small towns and water utilities. Several county officials and municipal representatives said local utilities lack staff and budget to carry out expanded testing or disposal protocols. DEQ warned that if the legislature directs DEQ to develop criteria and sampling rules, the agency would need contract toxicologists and potentially significant funding for lab analysis; commercial contract labs, DEQ said, may charge $400–$500 per sample per compound if analytical methods exist.

After discussion and a failed motion to reduce criminal penalties and fines (no second), the committee moved and passed HB159. The roll call showed six ayes, two noes and one member excused; the chair announced that Representative Bair will carry the bill to the House floor.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Labor, Health & Social Services Committee, January 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The House Labor, Health & Social Services Committee advanced House Bill 159, a proposal to regulate disposal and testing for byproducts of medication abortions and to assign civil liability to manufacturers if residues are found in public water systems.","taxTitle","Labor, Health & Social Services Committee, House of Representative, Committees, Legislative, Wyoming","taxId",61353,"location","Wyoming","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6671798,"Wyoming panel advances bill to regulate surgical abortion facilities after public testimony",2385,170000,2555000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2149267-3ccf8498e0c1e3338e7f10e5a9ad1888&start=170&end=2555","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2149267-3ccf8498e0c1e3338e7f10e5a9ad1888/thumbnail_170000.jpg","/articles/6671798/Wyoming/Wyoming-panel-advances-bill-to-regulate-surgical-abortion-facilities-after-public-testimony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671798-0b0f84702076e2ad7f286c3a9d566243/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180540&Signature=USa2LvmJ0ZRFWiL6uhHhJanRAxeU-NJviRdqFr4t5rhvtaCZCooVdCwuIy~w1Cny0n2iLabSzNBe4idFv2ttV~xl70uOzGKrkpjVkW6BmW0sMaIDHFfZp3ijaFWmp5nDXS5YFVUMXZH8EVLhN4ws4B~OWYpLEno4U3-RsN2ZT-HdDKEcAIxZ62-gIq820Gu0zS9y0fixlomT1JKh53~q3o47brdUFz1fno78yj5ueK2diz8dzIqgm2TBbYSc9x8bN5it4zmyZ7N1wsfGsZv0-crZTAGp~tEufYgaPuGsbhZSOE9yhfZEJrbAUspHkYDoRN12hNW~DMI5ltilnnLewA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Labor, Health & Social Services Committee on a voice-and-show-of-hands vote passed House Bill 42, a measure to classify and regulate surgical abortions under ambulatory surgical facility rules and to require state-licensed physicians performing abortions to hold Wyoming admitting privileges.

Supporters and opponents filled the committee room and the online hearing to testify about safety, medical practice and the moral status of abortion. The bill’s sponsor and committee members said the measure is intended to set minimum facility and practitioner standards for sites that offer surgical abortion services.

The bill drew sharply divided testimony from residents, medical professionals and former legislators. Susan Loan, a Laramie County resident, told the committee she opposed the bill because she sees abortion as murder: “Abortion isn’t healthcare. Abortion causes the demise of a living human being,” she said. Candace Machado, mayor of Evansville and a social worker, testified in opposition on the grounds of personal autonomy and professional ethics: she said the proposal is “government overreach” and risks deterring medical and mental-health providers from practicing in Wyoming.

Other witnesses urged oversight and inspection of abortion facilities. Jeanette Ward, a former state representative, said operators of the state’s abortion provider had refused to call 911 in an emergency and argued the bill would improve safety, calling abortion “death care.” Dr. Dean Bartholomew, a family physician from Powell, urged the committee to consider second-trimester procedures and said larger procedures typically require operating-room equipment and resuscitation capacity.

Committee discussion focused on two amendments. Representative Wasserburger proposed lowering fines in two sections to $7.50; that amendment failed on a 3–5 show-of-hands. Members then moved a technical amendment from legislative services to correct a numeric error in the draft: deleting “$1,000,000” and inserting “$1,000.” That amendment passed. The bill was moved out of committee by Representative McCann and seconded by Representative Clauston. The roll-call recorded seven ayes and one no; the chair announced the bill had passed the committee and would be carried to the floor.

The committee chair prefaced the hearing by limiting public comment and asking speakers to address the chair rather than members. Several witnesses asked the committee either to table the bill or to move cautiously; others urged adoption to require parity between abortion providers and other ambulatory surgical facilities.

The measure now moves to the full House; committee members did not schedule further amendments in the hearing. The committee record shows both substantive public testimony and a brief legislative exchange about penalty amounts and the proper statutory language.

","The House Labor, Health & Social Services Committee voted to pass House Bill 42 as amended, a measure to apply ambulatory surgical standards to abortion providers. The bill drew hours of public testimony both for and against, an unsuccessful amendment to reduce fines and a successful technical correction to a penalty amount.","actionData","errors"]

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Committee advances bill to regulate ‘chemical abortion’ waste and water testing; DEQ flags technical limits

Wyoming panel advances bill to regulate surgical abortion facilities after public testimony