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Wyoming2018Did Not Pass

SF0085

Certificate of Nonviable Birth

Last scannedOct 18, 2026, 2:19 AM

In one sentence

This bill would allow parents to request an official state record for a pregnancy loss that occurs between 9 and 20 weeks of gestation.

What it does

  • Creates a new type of vital record called a certificate of nonviable birth.
  • Requires physicians, physician assistants, or advanced practice registered nurses to advise patients that they may request this certificate.
  • Requires these medical providers to file the certificate with the local registrar within 30 days of a parent's request.
  • Defines a nonviable birth as an unintentional, spontaneous demise of an unborn child that occurs any time after 9 completed weeks of gestation through 20 completed weeks of gestation.
  • Requires the Department of Health to promulgate rules and regulations and vital records services to develop forms and certificates by July 1, 2018.
  • Requires vital records services to issue a certified copy of the certificate to a parent named on the registration within 60 days of receiving the parent's request.

Who it affects

  • Parents of a nonviable birth who wish to request an official record.
  • Physicians, physician assistants, and advanced practice registered nurses who attend or diagnose the event.
  • Local and state registrars who must file, register, and maintain these records.
  • The Department of Health and vital records services, which must create the necessary forms and rules.

Limits and unknowns

  • The bill did not pass in the 2018 session and failed on the third reading in the Senate.
  • The bill does not specify what happens if a parent does not request the certificate; it only outlines the process if a request is made.
  • The bill does not define how the state will handle privacy or access for people other than the parents named on the certificate.

Plain language

Terms to know

Nonviable birth
An unintentional, spontaneous demise of an unborn child that occurs any time after 9 completed weeks of gestation through 20 completed weeks of gestation.
Vital records
Records of birth, death, stillbirth, nonviable birth, marriage, divorce and data relating thereto.
Registration
The acceptance by vital records services and the incorporation in its official records of certificates, reports or other records of births, deaths, stillbirths, nonviable births, adoption, marriages, and divorces.

Official record

Sources

Source checked

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Sep 12, 10:57 AM

Cale Case

R · S25

Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes the bill because medical professionals universally oppose it and constituents have expressed that it is an unnecessary intrusion causing pain.

Public statementFloor statement at 25:16 Watch the statement

Bill Landen

R · S27

Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes the bill because health care professionals in his district dislike it and he believes it infringes on doctor-patient privilege.

Public statementFloor statement at 27:19 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the bill because it offers an optional certificate for parents who may later wish to have one, without forcing doctors or patients.

Public statementFloor statement at 30:06 Watch the statement

Brian Boner

R · S02

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the bill because it only requires paperwork at a patient's request and does not mandate any action from doctors or patients.

Public statementFloor statement at 33:17 Watch the statement

Brian Boner

R · S02

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the bill because it offers grieving families an optional certificate to acknowledge a pregnancy loss between 10 and 20 weeks, which can be a serious life event. He also notes that the measure raises awareness for miscarriages while having minimal administrative impact.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:07:15 Watch the statement

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

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

3 roll calls

S 3rd Reading:Failed 12-18-0-0-02018-02-27 · Senate12 yes 18 no
S10 - Labor:Recommend Do Pass 5-0-0-0-02018-02-21 · Senate5 yes 0 no
S Introduced and Referred to S10 - Labor 23-7-0-0-02018-02-14 · Senate23 yes 7 no

Official activity

Bill history

  1. S 3rd Reading:Failed 12-18-0-0-0Senate
  2. S 2nd Reading:PassedSenate
  3. S COW:PassedSenate
  4. S Placed on General FileSenate
  5. S10 - Labor:Recommend Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0Senate
  6. S Introduced and Referred to S10 - Labor 23-7-0-0-0Senate
  7. S Received for IntroductionSenate
  8. Bill Number AssignedLSO

Changes

Amendments

2 stored

SF0085S2001

Adopted 2nd reading by Boner

SF0085S2002

Withdrawn 2nd reading by Anselmi-Dalton