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Committee approves Wyoming bill on pregnancy centers after amendment fights
Summary
The Labor, Health & Social Services Committee voted 12-2 to advance 26LSO136, a bill addressing autonomy and rights of pregnancy centers, after rejecting amendments to delete the bill's purpose clause and to remove a provision on legislative intervention in court cases.
The Labor, Health & Social Services Committee voted 12-2 on March 17 to advance 26LSO136, titled “Wyoming Pregnancy Centers’ autonomy and rights,” sending the bill forward to be sponsored by the committee in the next session.
Committee members debated two amendments before the final vote. Senator Scott moved to delete the bill’s purpose clause; Representative Nguyen seconded that change. The committee voted the amendment down. Later, Representative Yen moved to strike language on page 11 that would create a process for the legislature to intervene in certain court matters; Representative Claxton seconded. That amendment also failed.
Why it matters: supporters framed the bill as protecting pregnancy centers and preserving the legislature’s intent for life-affirming resources; critics warned the measure raises separation-of-powers and First Amendment questions and could alter immunity provisions under the Governmental Claims Act. Senator Scott said the bill “is doing odd things to the governmental claims act” and predicted it would generate controversy in session. The co-chair and bill sponsor, Co-chair Rodriguez Williams, and other supporters said the bill was drafted with Wyoming-specific language and modeled to address services offered by pregnancy centers in the state.
Committee discussion and votes: debate included concerns about the bill’s timing during budget session and about possible unintended consequences for nonprofits. Representative Thayer said she was “very pro life” but worried the bill might overreach for one group of nonprofits. Representative Yen argued that the bill “doesn’t protect anyone from anything” because many local governments contract with pregnancy centers to provide services.
Final action: the motion to advance the bill was made by Co-chair Rodriguez Williams and seconded by Senator Steinmetz. The committee recorded a final roll-call tally of 12 yes, 2 no. The committee noted the bill will be sponsored by the committee in the upcoming session.
Ending note: committee members and staff flagged legal questions LSO staff raised in written memos, including timing and feasibility of legislative intervention in court matters and potential First Amendment issues; several speakers urged further work as the bill moves toward session.
