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Wyoming Constitutional Amendment on Health Care Damages

Last scannedOct 18, 2026, 2:19 AM

In one sentence

This proposed amendment would allow the Wyoming legislature to set limits on non-economic damages in health care cases, with a minimum limit of $250,000.

What it does

  • Proposes to change Article 10, Section 4 of the Wyoming Constitution.
  • Allows the legislature to require alternative dispute resolution or medical review before filing a lawsuit against a health care provider.
  • Permits the legislature to limit the amount of non-economic damages recoverable from a health care provider.
  • Sets a floor that non-economic damages cannot be limited to less than $250,000 for a single occurrence.
  • Appropriates $100,000 from the general fund to the Secretary of State for publication costs.

Who it affects

  • The Wyoming Legislature, which would gain the power to enact these limits.
  • Health care providers involved in civil actions for injury or death.
  • Patients or their families seeking compensation for non-economic losses.
  • The Secretary of State, who would manage the publication of the amendment.

Limits and unknowns

  • The bill did not pass the House and failed introduction on February 11, 2010.
  • The amendment would only take effect if ratified by a majority of voters in a general election.
  • The source text does not specify the exact date of the general election where this would be submitted.

Plain language

Terms to know

Non-economic damages
Compensation for losses like pain and suffering, mental anguish, or loss of enjoyment of life, rather than direct monetary costs.
Economic damages
Compensation for direct monetary losses such as medical bills, lost wages, or property repair costs.
Alternative dispute resolution
A process to resolve legal disputes without going to court, such as mediation or arbitration.

Official record

Sources

Source checked
Official bill pageIntroduced textOfficial digestCurrent bill text

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Aug 8, 6:25 AM

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker argues that since surrounding states have damage caps, a reasonable amount should be established in this legislature to protect citizens while ensuring the presence of a strong medical community.

Public statementFloor statement at 35:12 Watch the statement

If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

1 roll call

H Failed Introduction 38-20-2-0-02010-02-11 · House38 yes 20 no
Yes
38
No
20
Absent
0
Excused
2
Conflict
0

Yes 38

Allen M JaggiH18Amy L EdmondsH12Bryan K PedersenH07Colin SimpsonH24David R MillerH55Debbie HammonsH27Del McOmieH54Dv.Edward BuchananH04Elaine HarveyH26Frank D PeasleyH03Glenn W MonizH46Gregory R BlikreH53Jack D Landon Jr.H30John W PattonH29Kathleen DavisonH20Kermit C BrownH14Lisa A SheppersonH58Lori A MillinH08Lorraine K QuarbergH28Mark SemlekH01Matt TeetersH05Michael A GilmoreH59Michael K MaddenH40Pat ChildersH50Pete JorgensenH16Peter S IllowayH42Richard L CannadyH06Robert A BrechtelH38Robert M McKimH21Rodney "Pete" AndersonH10Roy CoheeH35Steve HarshmanR · H37Sue E WallisH52Thomas A LockhartH57Timothy M StubsonH56Tom Lubnau IIH31William "Jeb" StewardH47

No 20

Bernadine CraftH17Bill ThompsonH60Catherine R ConnollyH13Dn.George BagbyH15James A RoscoeH22James W ByrdH44John D Bonner Jr.H25Joseph M BarbutoH48Keith M GingeryH23Ken A EsquibelH41Mary A ThroneH11Mary W HalesH36Owen PetersenH19Rosie M BergerH51Ross DiercksH02Seth A CarsonH45Stanley L BlakeH39Terry L KimbleH49W. Patrick P GogglesH33

Excused 2

Frank PhilpH34Timothy P HallinanH32

Official activity

Bill history

  1. H Failed IntroductionHouse
  2. H Received for IntroductionHouse
  3. Bill Number AssignedLSO