Education

HB 159 protects students' religious, political, and ideological speech in Wyoming public schools. It prohibits schools from discriminating against students for expressing these views in class discussions, assignments, club activities, or clothing - similar to how other student speech is treated. The bill creates a legal cause of action for violations, allowing students or clubs to seek at least $5,000 in damages plus other remedies. Exceptions include unprotected speech (per the First Amendment) or conduct that disrupts school operations or creates a hostile environment.

This bill amends Wyoming's Hathaway scholarship program to provide recipients with a single lump sum payment instead of semester-by-semester disbursements. It eliminates requirements for satisfactory academic progress, continuous enrollment, and minimum credit hours, simplifying access to funds. Eligibility remains based on high school GPA and standardized test scores, with three scholarship tiers: $6,720 for a 2.50 GPA/43rd percentile, $10,080 for a 3.0 GPA/56th percentile, and $13,440 for a 3.5 GPA/79th percentile. The changes directly affect Wyoming students pursuing degrees or certificates who meet the academic criteria.

HB 186, the "Baby Olivia Act," requires Wyoming public schools to provide human development education to students in grades 5-12, mandating specific instructional materials. The bill directs schools to show two videos: one displaying high-definition fetal organ development via ultrasound, and another demonstrating fertilization and human development stages from conception to birth. School districts must allow parental opt-outs via written request and comply with annual audits by the state education department. The law applies to all public school districts beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, with implementation requiring legislative approval for health education standards. The bill failed its introduction in the Wyoming House (39-20-3) on February 14, 2026.

Wyoming's HB 123 creates education savings accounts (ESAs) that provide state-funded support for eligible students. Eligible students (Wyoming residents not yet in kindergarten or still in K-12 public school) receive annual funds ranging from $3,000 to $6,000 based on household income relative to federal poverty levels. Parents can use these funds for qualified expenses like tuition at certified schools, tutoring, textbooks, or technology, with payments disbursed quarterly by the state superintendent. The program is administered through a dedicated state fund, requiring parent agreements and adherence to defined spending rules.

HB 57 creates the "Hathaway private post secondary institution scholarship" to help Wyoming students attend private colleges or universities. It provides up to $500 per semester for tuition and fees at state-accredited private institutions offering certificates or degrees, with eligibility requiring a 3.5 high school GPA, standardized test scores at the 79th percentile, and meeting specific academic requirements. The program limits funding to 200 students total, covering up to eight full-time semesters per student, and requires the state education department to administer applications and verify eligibility through school transcripts. This scholarship directly affects qualifying Wyoming students seeking private post-secondary education, separate from public university funding.

Wyoming's HB 65 requires all public K-12 school districts to adopt new discipline policies that ban corporal punishment and mandate written notice to parents/guardians for student discipline actions. The bill establishes specific consequences like in-school suspension, exclusion from activities, or removal from classrooms (with teacher consent for return), while requiring schools to report discipline data and provide staff with professional development on behavior management. It also mandates that school employees report violent threats and ensures safety protocols for students and staff on school property. The policy directly affects all Wyoming public school staff, students, and parents/guardians through standardized discipline procedures and transparency requirements.