HB 126 Wyoming House · 2026 Regular Session

Human heartbeat act.

Wyoming's HB 126, the "Human heartbeat act," prohibits most abortion procedures after a detectable fetal heartbeat is identified (typically around 6 weeks gestation), directly affecting pregnant individuals seeking abortions and healthcare providers performing them. The bill requires healthcare providers to confirm a detectable heartbeat via standard medical equipment before proceeding with an abortion, except in cases of medical emergencies that threaten the patient's life or major bodily function. Violations are classified as felonies punishable by up to five years in prison or $10,000 fines, and healthcare professionals face mandatory license revocation for noncompliance. The law creates new definitions, exceptions for medical emergencies, and penalties for violations, effective upon enactment.

Issues: ✗ Healthcare

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Feb 10, 2026 Signed Mar 9, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Enrolled · 4 edits · Mar 9, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was updated from its original introduction to its enrolled final version, incorporating significant legal arguments and policy shifts. The most critical change is the addition of a constitutional finding that explicitly recognizes unborn children as members of the human race with a fundamental right to life, strengthening the bill's legal standing. The definition of 'medical emergency' was refined to include 'irreversible impairment of a major bodily function,' broadening the exception for life-threatening situations. Finally, the penalty section was expanded to mandate the automatic revocation of professional licenses for violations, adding a severe enforcement mechanism.

Scope change

The bill's scope was broadened by adding a constitutional finding that equates unborn children with human beings, thereby elevating the state's interest in protecting them. The applicability of the 'medical emergency' exception was also expanded to cover cases where a delay would cause irreversible bodily impairment.

DEFINITION

Added a new legislative finding stating that unborn children are members of the human race with an equal right to life under the Wyoming Constitution.

Expanded the definition of 'medical emergency' to include situations where a delay causes a 'serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function,' beyond just death.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a mandatory provision stating that any violation of the article results in the automatic revocation of the person's professional license.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new subsection to the prohibition section explicitly penalizing providers who fail to make the required determination of a fetal heartbeat before performing a procedure.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 4, 2026 · House Feb 24, 2026

How they voted

27–4

Passed

Total votes 31

Mar 4, 2026

D Democratic2

2 Nay

100% Nay

R Republican29

27 Yea 2 Nay

93% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 9, 2026

Signed into law

Governor Signed HEA No. 0029

legislature

Mar 6, 2026

Lower · Passed

H Concur:Passed 47-7-8-0-0

lower

Mar 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

S 3rd Reading:Passed 27-4-0-0-0

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

S COW:Passed

upper

Feb 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

S10 - Labor:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 3-1-1-0-0

upper

Feb 25, 2026

Introduced

S Introduced and Referred to S10 - Labor

upper

Feb 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

H 3rd Reading:Passed 51-7-4-0-0

lower

Feb 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

H COW:Passed

lower

Feb 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

H10 - Labor:Recommend Do Pass 7-2-0-0-0

lower

Feb 10, 2026

Introduced

H Introduced and Referred to H10 - Labor 51-10-1-0-0

lower

1 primary · 39 co-sponsors