Wyoming Bill To Prohibit COVID-19 Discrimination Filed

A bill that would prohibit discrimination against people based on their COVID-19 vaccination, face masking, or medical testing status has been filed for the upcoming session of the Wyoming Legislature.

The bill would specify that no one can "Refuse, withhold from or deny a person any services, goods, facilities, advantages or privileges that are public in nature or that invite the patronage of the public based on a person's COVID‑19 vaccination or booster status, whether a person is not wearing a face covering or whether a person refuses to submit to COVID‑19 medical testing"

The measure would also prohibit "discrimination and publishing or advertising based on a person's vaccination, face covering or medical testing status as specified."

You can read House Bill 59 here.

It's sponsored by Rep. Jeanette Ward [R-Natrona County]. Co-sponsors include Reps. Allemand, Angelos, Bear, Haroldson, Heiner, Hornok, Jennings, Locke, Neiman, Penn, Slagle, Smith, Strock, and Trujillo

A similar bill was defeated in the Wyoming House in 2023 on a 32-29 vote. That measure was also sponsored by Rep. Ward. One change in House Bill 59 is that it doesn't include a possible penalty of up to a year in jail that was part of the 2023 bill.

The Bill Will Need A 2/3 Majority Vote For Introduction

Since the legislature is meeting in a budget session in 2024, non-budget items such as House Bill 59 will require a 2/3 majority vote for introduction.

The legislature is scheduled to meet in a 20-day budget session in Cheyenne starting on Feb. 12. The legislature alternates 40-day general sessions open to all topics with 20-day sessions intended to focus on budget issues