Wyoming committee rejects Medical Ethics Defense Act 2 after amendment cleared

The Labor, Health & Social Services Committee voted 2–3 on a roll call and did not advance House Bill 222, the "Medical Ethics Defense Act 2," after approving an amendment that struck a subsection of the bill.

Representative Altman, the bill sponsor, told the committee the measure "is not to discriminate negatively towards anyone, but to be a very positive move and to bring very qualified health care professionals into our state," and asked members for an aye vote. Altman also said she first introduced a version of the measure four years ago and that it has been revised in subsequent sessions.

Committee members debated several provisions as they walked through the bill page by page. Senators and staff noted concerns raised by the Board of Medicine and by community college representatives about licensing language and student-related provisions. Senator Lisonbee said the Board of Medicine and licensing officials objected to a civil penalty provision and a $500 damages item tied to partial-week violations, stating that "they just didn't feel that this was a good part of this bill." The committee removed a 14-day complaint-timing provision after members said it conflicted with the board's normal complaint processes.

During the markup, a motion was made to delete subparagraph E, lines 5 through 19, which committee discussion identified as including the 14-day timeline and the $500 damages language. The committee approved that amendment by voice vote; a final roll-call vote was then held on the bill as amended.

Chairman Barlow called a roll-call vote on House Bill 222 as amended. The vote was: Senator Hutchings — aye; Senator Simets — aye (left a vote); Senator Crum — no; Senator Scott — no; Chairman Barlow — no. The clerk announced the tally as two ayes and three noes, so the bill did not advance out of committee.

Committee members also noted a drafting question in subsection A on page 6 where two sentences appeared duplicative; members said they would raise that question with the bill sponsor as the bill moves forward. Committee staff (Clayton) and a staff member (Bonhambliss) participated in logistical and procedural matters during the meeting.

The committee chair said the panel had completed its assigned bills. He also noted Senator Steinmetz was serving on another committee and "left a vote," per committee remarks, and that Senator Scott would preside if additional bills were assigned in the chair's absence.

The committee scheduled a joint interim meeting for March 3 at 12:30 p.m., Room 110.