Wyoming committee advances bill creating private civil remedy for alleged coerced abortions, 8–1

Summary

The Labor, Health & Social Services Committee passed House Bill 117, creating a private cause of action for women who say they lacked adequate informed consent or were coerced into elective abortion; the committee approved the bill 8–1 after several amendments and debates over studies, standards, and a 24‑hour waiting period.

The Labor, Health & Social Services Committee voted 8–1 to advance House Bill 117 after a day of presentations, public testimony and amendments. The bill, sponsored by Representative Lolly, would create a private civil cause of action for an "interested party" alleging harm from an elective abortion when informed consent was inadequate or the pregnant woman was coerced.

Representative Lolly told the committee HB117 "empowers a woman, not the state, to enforce her own right to be fully informed and free from coercion," and outlined statutory definitions, a baseline $25,000 statutory damage award per claim and a five‑year statute of limitations. Sponsor testimony noted an effective date of July 1, 2026.

Brad Kerr of Americans United for Life told the committee the bill is consistent with existing informed‑consent jurisprudence, citing Planned Parenthood v. Casey and later decisions as examples the sponsor and his allies said support the bill’s…

Wyoming committee advances bill creating private civil remedy for alleged coerced abortions, 8–1

Summary

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