HB 115 requires all Wyoming school districts (including charter schools) to create and implement cardiac emergency response plans for general school settings and separate plans for athletic events. Key provisions mandate that schools place and maintain AEDs in unlocked, accessible locations (within 3 minutes), train staff in CPR and AED use per American Heart Association standards, and rehearse athletic venue protocols annually. The bill allocates $50,000 for reimbursement of implementation costs during the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 school years, with priority for districts serving higher percentages of students eligible for free meals. It applies directly to school staff, students, and emergency medical providers by standardizing cardiac emergency protocols across all school properties and athletic events.
HB 179, the Hospital Price Transparency Act, requires Wyoming hospitals to publicly list prices for medical services and items on their websites. Specifically, hospitals must post all standard charges in a machine-readable format and provide a readable list of prices for common "shoppable services" (like scheduled procedures) that patients can compare before receiving care. The law applies to all licensed Wyoming hospitals and aims to help patients understand costs for services such as room fees, procedures, and prescription drugs. The Wyoming Department of Health will monitor compliance and enforce penalties for noncompliance, including prohibiting hospitals from collecting debts when transparency rules are violated.
This Wyoming bill (SF 122) shortens deadlines for health insurers and independent review organizations to evaluate whether medical services are necessary. It reduces the insurer review period from 45 to 21 days and requires external review organizations to complete decisions within 21 days of receiving a request. The changes directly affect health insurers, patients (claimants), and independent review organizations handling coverage disputes. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not alter coverage criteria, only the timing for decisions.
HB 171 amends Wyoming's online sports wagering revenue distribution to fund gambling treatment programs. It requires sports wagering operators to remit 10% of monthly revenue to the state commission, with the first $300,000 annually allocated directly to the Department of Health for county-level programs preventing and treating problematic gambling behavior. The remaining revenue from this 10% goes to the state general fund. This bill specifically targets funding for gambling-related health services, directing resources to counties through the Department of Health. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, pending legislative approval.
HB 21 directs that 10% of monthly online sports wagering revenue be paid to the state commission. The first $300,000 of this revenue annually funds county health programs addressing gambling addiction, while half of the remaining funds go to Wyoming's outdoor recreation and tourism trust fund and the other half to the state general fund. The bill affects sports wagering operators (who pay the fee) and directly provides funding for public health services and outdoor recreation infrastructure. It takes effect on July 1, 2026.
This bill requires Wyoming public school districts to provide age-appropriate, evidence-based suicide prevention education to all students. It mandates that schools use programs consistent with existing state materials and training standards outlined in related statutes. The requirement applies to all K-12 public schools and takes effect on July 1, 2026. The legislation directly affects students and school districts by establishing a new mandatory educational component focused on suicide prevention.
Wyoming's SF 48, the Stem Cell Freedom Act, allows physicians to recommend and perform stem cell therapy using a patient's own cells (autologous mesenchymal stem cells), provided it follows institutional review board approval, current manufacturing standards, and includes written informed consent acknowledging the therapy isn't FDA-approved. The law prohibits the state board of medicine from disciplining doctors for offering this therapy and prevents state entities from denying patient access. It explicitly excludes abortion-derived materials and states insurers may choose but aren't required to cover the therapy. The bill creates no legal liability for providers who follow its requirements and medical standards.
Wyoming's SF 41 creates "portable benefit accounts" to help independent contractors access benefits like health insurance or retirement savings. The bill allows hiring parties (companies or individuals) or contractors themselves to voluntarily contribute funds to these accounts, with strict rules requiring written opt-in agreements and clear disclosure. It prohibits using these contributions to determine employment status and mandates that accounts be managed by approved financial institutions. The law requires the Department of Workforce Services to create implementing rules and takes effect July 1, 2026. This directly affects independent contractors who currently lack employer-provided benefits.
HB 63 increases Medicaid reimbursement for skilled nursing homes in Wyoming by 5% for services provided between July 2026 and June 2028. This directly affects nursing homes participating in Wyoming’s Medicaid program, which will receive higher payments for care provided during this period. The bill allocates $4.7 million in state funds and $4.7 million in federal funds to cover the increased reimbursement, with unspent funds reverting to the general fund by June 2028. The Department of Health must report on costs and recommend future adjustments by October 2027, and will develop necessary implementing rules.
HB 64 increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for eligible healthcare providers offering maternal services in rural and frontier areas of Wyoming. It directly affects Medicaid-enrolled providers (like obstetricians, family doctors with OB privileges, midwives, and surgeons providing cesarean backup) and Medicaid clients receiving prenatal, labor, delivery, and postpartum care in these regions. The bill allocates $2 million ($1 million state, $1 million federal) for 2026-2028 to fund these enhanced rates, with the Department of Health required to report on costs and potential adjustments by October 2027. Its key goal is to improve access to maternal care, reduce related health risks, and maintain provider availability in underserved areas.
