Education

This bill (SF 18) ensures Wyoming public K-12 schools are equally free and accessible to all children, including those attending part-time. It requires schools to operate for a minimum of 175 days per year (unless an alternative schedule is approved by the state board after public meetings), and mandates annual evaluations of alternative schedules. Parents or guardians of eligible children may apply for an Education Savings Account (ESA) program under existing law. The changes apply starting the 2026-2027 school year.

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.

HB 110 establishes a new formula for funding Wyoming's K-12 public schools, directly affecting all school districts in the state. It calculates funding based on average daily enrollment, requiring specific teacher ratios (e.g., one core teacher for every 16 elementary students) and minimum staffing levels per school type, while also restricting how school foundation funds can be used. The bill mandates school districts to join the state's employee insurance program, modifies cash reserve rules, and continues mental health services grants. It implements the 2025 cost-of-education study and includes provisions for rulemaking and funding appropriations.

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.