Committee approves adding school crossing guards to governmental-claims immunity

Senate File 110, which would include volunteers and school district employees who act as roadway crossing guards under the Governmental Claims Act, was presented and advanced by the Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs Committee.

Sponsor Senator Brennan introduced the measure, saying it responds to local concerns about student safety and the role of crossing guards. “All we're doing is including volunteers and school district employees acting as a roadway crossing guard on behalf of or in service of public school districts legally organized as a body corporate pursuant to Wyoming statute 21-3-101,” the sponsor said.

Nick Bellack of the Wyoming School Boards Association testified in favor of the bill and noted the association’s 2024 advocacy priorities included school safety. Bellack said the bill will both increase student safety and protect districts acting in a fiduciary capacity.

Committee members did not propose committee amendments. Representative Banks moved the bill and committee members recorded affirmative votes. The roll call recorded nine affirmative votes and the bill was advanced to the full chamber. Senator Brennan arranged for a floor sponsor to carry the bill onward.

The bill is narrowly drawn to extend governmental-immunity protections to individuals acting as crossing guards for public school districts; sponsor testimony cited local incidents and family advocacy supporting the change. The Wyoming School Boards Association requested a favorable vote.

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Senator Brennan presented the bill; Nick Bellack (Wyoming School Boards Association) offered public testimony in support. The committee voted to advance the bill with nine recorded affirmative votes.