The bill establishes new procedures for the declaration and management of public health emergencies in Wyoming. It mandates that the governor must convene the legislature within two days of declaring a public health emergency, allowing the legislature to either concur with the declaration or terminate it. Additionally, the bill authorizes the legislature to meet and vote either in person or remotely through electronic methods, thereby ensuring that quorum requirements can be satisfied during such emergencies. The definition of a public health emergency is also amended to clarify the circumstances under which it can be declared.

Several existing statutes are amended to reflect the new provisions, including changes to the definitions and exemptions related to health care practices during public health emergencies. Specifically, references to the previous statute (W.S. 35-4-115(a)(i)) are replaced with the new statute (W.S. 35-4-116) throughout various sections, including those concerning temporary licensure for health care providers and the definition of COVID-19. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and will apply to all public health emergency declarations made on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 1-1-141, 33-25-102, 33-49-107, 35-4-114, 35-4-115