A Legislative Service Office working draft would direct the Wyoming state superintendent of public instruction to develop model K‑12 student disciplinary policies and procedures, and set a July 1, 2026, deadline for publication.

The proposal, presented by Tanya Heitrich, operations administrator with the Legislative Service Office, would add a paragraph to Wyoming statute 21‑2‑2202 listing duties of the state superintendent and would require the superintendent to produce model policies “to govern student discipline.” Heitrich said the draft also makes clear that “no district is required to adopt those policies.”

The draft specifies the superintendent must have model policies required by section 1 in place by 07/01/2026 and that part of the bill would be effective immediately, subject to committee questions. Heitrich described the measure as “relatively straightforward” and said the change operationalizes the committee’s policy choice.

Committee members asked whether existing statute prohibits the superintendent from producing model policies. Heitrich replied there is no specific statutory prohibition but noted executive agencies only exercise powers the legislature gives them and that questions could arise if an agency attempted rulemaking beyond its statutory authority.

Dickey Shaner, Department of Education staff speaking for Superintendent Megan Degenfelder, said the superintendent preferred a different bill draft (referred to during the meeting as "88") but that the department could assist with drafting model policies if the committee moved this draft forward.

Public testimony included Boyd Brown, executive director of the Wyoming Association of School Administrators, offering the association’s expertise to help draft model policies if the measure goes forward.

The committee recorded no motion on the draft during the meeting and moved on to the next agenda item. Because no formal action was taken, the draft remains under consideration with no committee directive recorded.

Ending: The committee did not adopt or refer the draft at this meeting; proponents and Department of Education staff said they would assist if the committee decides to pursue model policies later.