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UPDATE: 2/16/2024 - HB 57 died, it failed to be introduced in the House before the deadline of 2/16/2024.
HB 57 was received for introduction in the House on 1/24/2024. This bill is sponsored by Representative Jeanette Ward.
HB 57 repeals an existing law that authorizes vaccination or medical treatment of a of a minor child without parental consent if the parent, legal guardian, or other adult cannot be found.
HB 57 repeals state law 35-4-113 (b) (i) that relates to treatment when consent is not available for common diseases. This law allows the state health officer to subject a minor child to vaccination or medical treatment that is "reasonably needed" if the parent, legal guardian, or other adult cannot be "located and consulted" in order to "protect the public health or protect the minor child from child from disease, death, disability or suffering".
If passed, HB 57 would take effect immediately upon completion of all acts necessary for a bill to become law.
NVIC SUPPORTS HB 57 because it protects children from being subjected to coercion to get vaccinated behind their parents' backs. NVIC supports informed consent to vaccination and parental rights to be in control vaccination decisions for their children. The original law strips parents from having any power over their child's vaccination and medical decisions. For example, under this statute, if a child is taken to the hospital straight from school and the parent has not arrived at the hospital, the child could be vaccinated without the parent's consent. Vaccines are pharmaceutical products that carry risks of injury and death and should not be forced on an individual without their (or their parent's) fully informed consent.
https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2024/HB0057 - text, status, and history of HB 57
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