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| Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon (R) |
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On Friday, March 17, two pro-life Wyoming bills passed into law. One was signed into law by pro-life Gov. Mark Gordon (R), but he allowed the other to go into effect without his signature.
Gordon signed Senate Enrolled Act 93. This law will make it illegal “to prescribe, dispense, distribute, sell or use any drug for the purpose of procuring or performing an abortion on any person.” The law exempts pregnant patients from penalties. Abortionists and prescribers could be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in prison and a $9,000 fine.
With Senate Enrolled Act 93, Wyoming becomes the first state to pass a law outlawing the use of abortion pills separately from a total ban.
The second bill, the "Life is a Human Right Act," is a broad abortion ban. The legislature hopes that the broad ban will withstand a legal challenge, as a separate ban has been blocked pending a court decision. Gordon chose not to sign the bill because he believes it will delay a pending court decision regarding whether the Wyoming Constitution allows for abortion restrictions.
Gordon wrote, "HEA0088 Life is a Human Right Act will become law without my signature as it seems to be the will of the legislature, and while it may offer some improvement to the bill I signed just last year, I believe now more than ever that if the Legislature seeks final resolution on this important issue, it ultimately may have to come through a Constitutional amendment."
Gordon emphasized that he wants the courts to reach a decision about the constitutionality of abortion as soon as possible. This way, Wyoming could begin the process of proposing a Constitutional amendment on which Wyoming citizens can vote.