[{"_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",6686599,"mediaKeyId","2149273-46851b86009c8810c8c7a67a1e3e172f","parentId",2149273,"title","Committee advances bill to allow limited ignition-interlock licenses for some aggravated-homicide-by-vehicle convictions","audioSeconds",1139,"startMs",67000,"endMs",1206000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2149273-46851b86009c8810c8c7a67a1e3e172f&start=67&end=1206","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2149273-46851b86009c8810c8c7a67a1e3e172f/thumbnail_67000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6686599/Wyoming/Committee-advances-bill-to-allow-limited-ignition-interlock-licenses-for-some-aggravated-homicide-by-vehicle-convictions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6686599-f217783bdada92f2f14ec6ae2c27f7a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1772788634&Signature=lZofy9oclw6SQugtf8U6-fsfhknS910kVbQb13HEgXyLCQgI8KY3P7NOIqgasQzjgInJRbCJcXGTKKHr2rKUgU715xBpJ8oUmj42fVXo3oM3wjMjMk~jjooJCGmTMxcOvcQxoECUEeFzSKfXzyqSdgdLU4N6UokKdCvdlw8VeA0lsGHnGwfHzQ7H2i1PCPxuC8wQvjOWsXwfGwA21s9VvsfGYNp-TZaYv8H46lDWQQye2uF0qoKeOxzz2gOLwlqkJ8fgZL3tR6OSIV15gmU5H7lOE-UVGFqlC8e5gxWfc3ZqS9AT1Epe5075K02pXDs1gVFq~-pphqaoM7juT4wMYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wyoming Legislature","date","2025-01-24T21:16:25.897Z","article","The Labor, Health & Social Services Committee on Jan. 24 advanced Senate File 71, a measure that would permit people convicted of aggravated homicide by vehicle to obtain an ignition-interlock restricted license after completing the statutory period of revocation.

Sponsor Senator Brennan said the bill is “really a criminal justice reform bill,” and summarized the proposed change as authorizing “persons convicted of aggravated homicide by vehicle to be issued an ignition interlock restricted license” after the revocation period ends. She told the committee the bill corrects a 2019 drafting change that, in practice, prevented some people who blew 0.15 blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) or greater from ever obtaining a restricted interlock license.

Misty Zimmerman, identified to the committee as a manager with Whitehat Driver Services, described how Wyoming’s ignition-interlock program operates. She said a conviction and the arrest BAC determine whether the interlock requirement applies and explained the practical steps after conviction: the device must be installed in the vehicle before the state issues the restricted license, the driver must blow into the device to start the car and comply with rolling retests, and the restriction attaches to the driver’s license (so driving a rental vehicle would require compliance unless the trip is for approved work-related duties).

Supporters framed the bill as restoring a path back into lawful driving and employment for people who have completed their revocation term. Former state representative Mr. Lindholm, speaking on behalf of Americans for Prosperity, said the policy “underscores the seriousness of causing a loss of life” while allowing for restoration, and described the change as consistent with restorative-justice goals.

Committee members asked operational questions the Department of Motor Vehicles and driver-service providers answered, including whether the program has technological safeguards to detect third-party breath samples (staff said state statute currently lacks a mechanism to detect a person providing another’s sample) and that the department’s practice is to notify people they must install the device after conviction. Committee members also sought clarification that the change applies specifically to aggravated homicide by vehicle and not broadly to all DUI offenses; staff confirmed the bill is limited to that offense as drafted.

After public comment closed, Senator Scott moved the bill. The committee conducted a roll-call vote and Chair Barlow reported five ayes; the measure was advanced for further consideration. Senator Steinmetz provided a proxy aye.

The bill text as presented includes an effective date of July 1, 2025, and refers to existing Wyoming statutory provisions governing revocation periods and ignition-interlock licenses.

Votes at-a-glance: Senate File 71 — Moved by Senator Scott; committee roll-call reported 5 ayes; outcome: advanced (reported out of committee).

The sponsor indicated she will introduce the bill on the floor when it reaches Committee of the Whole.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Labor, Health & Social Services Committee, January 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Labor, Health & Social Services Committee on Jan. 24 advanced Senate File 71, a bill that would allow some people convicted of aggravated homicide by vehicle to obtain an ignition-interlock restricted driver’s license after completing the statutory revocation period.","taxTitle","Labor, Health & Social Services Committee, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Wyoming","taxId",61171,"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},6686594,"Committee rejects bill requiring random drug testing for hospital ‘‘safety-sensitive’’ employees after split testimony",3615,1259000,4874000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2149273-46851b86009c8810c8c7a67a1e3e172f&start=1259&end=4874","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2149273-46851b86009c8810c8c7a67a1e3e172f/thumbnail_1259000.jpg","/articles/6686594/Wyoming/Committee-rejects-bill-requiring-random-drug-testing-for-hospital-safety-sensitive-employees-after-split-testimony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6686594-d5345413f4033f7d895ecaaa224bcd2f/orig.mp4?Expires=1772788634&Signature=J5PQU5~qEEgEWUeFJS-KLq5-7W70qxwUHrGd8AtBuMuZFIkyDBCcaan0GwDtC3bXRQeO-Nv5Xc0KV-zNupIm0gArn4WQAa6fe9Wb5nzkMRXCJ5TmNZCbjzRRB8df3~obJiKLu3cJ7jMcNoNtva6E~JeWTNDnRKh~AdUTw4Awr~TKj9c~6lchnmI56fA6~AtMg6APm7goRvtdIC1pGgAsXJs1VZXH1r7qc9dDr9DaH2ryb9ys9L85NDA0La6FJfqssBzLhHSi3Tc3dsAtJ6eNumP84sIv3vslpv4pWVhuIfeOWzVt0iV0eWZLOqniJp-4cwZAJk8SvlTwtWws~SOLuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sponsor Senator Larson brought Senate File 129 to the Labor, Health & Social Services Committee on Jan. 24 after citing a local news story that a hospital district had suspended its random testing policy. The bill would require hospitals to operate a random drug-and-alcohol-testing program for employees who hold or seek “safety sensitive” positions, require removal from safety-sensitive duties after a positive test, require evaluation and treatment through the Wyoming Professional Assistance Program, and direct the Department of Health to promulgate implementing rules.

“ I think our hospitals maybe need a little direction,” Senator Larson told the committee, citing an article about West Park Hospital District’s decision to suspend a random testing policy and the district’s estimate that it had terminated roughly 15 employees over five years for positive THC tests.

The Department of Health’s deputy director Franz Fuchs told the committee the department would work with hospitals to develop rules that balance patient safety and operational efficiency. “We\u0000would probably work with industry to develop requirements for drug testing on a random basis that are sort of balancing the needs between patient safety and efficiency,” he said. Fuchs and Office of Health Care Licensing lead Laura Hudspeth said the department’s current licensing surveys focus on patient safety and staffing but not on employee HR policies; they suggested rulemaking would be required to set testing frequency and coverage.

Jason Wolf of the Department of Workforce Services said the agency offers a voluntary workers’-compensation discount for employers with a testing program: “we give a discount, a 10% discount on their base rate for their workers' compensation,” and his staff noted the agency’s rule requires participating employers to test at least 20% of covered staff annually.

Hospital representatives and clinicians urged local control and warned of costs. Josh Hannes of the Wyoming Hospital Association said many hospitals already test pre-employment and on reasonable suspicion and that policies are often set by local hospital boards. Senator Brennan, who identifies her professional background as an ICU nurse, said hospitals “do a great job” and urged leaving testing to local policies.

Public commenters included Richard Jones of Wyoming Citizens Against Normalization, who said he supports statewide requirements and told the committee, “I would like to have the assurance that every person from the janitor to the surgeons, is not impaired in some fashion.” A retired U.S. Marine and former law‑enforcement officer who testified as a private citizen described training as a drug‑recognition expert and urged random testing because of risks associated with impairment, particularly from marijuana and sedatives.

Committee members raised several recurring issues: how to define “safety sensitive duties” in statute; whether to apply a requirement only to hospitals or to broader categories of licensed health facilities (the Department of Health said there are 31 hospitals and roughly 276 licensed and certified providers statewide); who would bear testing costs (witnesses estimated per-test costs at roughly $50–$120 and said employers typically bear random-testing costs); and whether the state should require programs that some hospitals already handle locally.

After discussion, the committee voted on a motion to advance the bill. The roll call produced a committee result the clerk summarized as one aye, three no and one excused; the chair announced the bill did not pass out of committee. Members indicated the topic might be better developed as an interim study with clearer definitions and cost analyses before a statutory requirement is considered.

","Senate File 129, which would have required hospitals to maintain random drug-and-alcohol testing programs for employees in safety-sensitive roles and to use the Wyoming Professional Assistance Program for positive tests, failed to pass out of committee after testimony revealed definitional, cost and scope concerns.","actionData","errors"]

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Committee advances bill to allow limited ignition-interlock licenses for some aggravated-homicide-by-vehicle convictions

Committee rejects bill requiring random drug testing for hospital ‘‘safety-sensitive’’ employees after split testimony