Military discharge and benefits.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not specify if there are any limitations or additional requirements beyond those stated in the plain language summary and 'what it does' section.

Veterans Benefits and Discharge Status

This law allows veterans who were discharged solely for refusing a COVID-19 vaccine to be considered honorably discharged when it comes to receiving Wyoming benefits.

What This Bill Does

• Amends the definition of 'honorable discharge' or 'honorably discharged' in state statutes to include veterans whose discharge was general or other than honorable solely due to refusal of a COVID-19 vaccine.
• Enables these veterans to receive Wyoming benefits and exemptions as if they were honorably discharged.

Who It Names or Affects

• Veterans who were discharged from the U.S. armed forces or National Guard solely because of refusing a COVID-19 vaccine.
• State agencies responsible for providing veterans' benefits in Wyoming.

Terms To Know

Honorable discharge

A type of military discharge that allows veterans to receive certain benefits and exemptions from the state.

Veterans

People who have served in the U.S. armed forces or National Guard.

Limits and Unknowns

• The law only applies to discharges that are solely due to refusing a COVID-19 vaccine.
• It does not change other aspects of military discharge status outside of Wyoming benefits and exemptions.

Official Summary Text

Bill Summary - 22LSO-0253
Bill No.:

HB0082

Effective:

Immediately

LSO No.:

22LSO-0253

Enrolled Act No.:

HEA No. 0033

Chapter No.:

41

Prime Sponsor:

Wilson

Catch Title:

Military discharge and benefits.

Subject:

Military discharge and allowable benefits.

Summary/Major Elements:

This act provides a definition of "honorable discharge" or "honorably discharged" that requires that a military veteran discharged solely for refusing a COVID-19 vaccine shall be deemed honorably discharged for the purposes of any law providing Wyoming benefits or exemptions to veterans.
The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent.

While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.

Current Bill Text

22LSO-0253

ORIGINAL House

Bill No
.
HB0082

ENROLLED ACT NO. 33,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SIXTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2022 Budget Session

AN ACT relating to veterans benefits and exemptions; allowing veterans to be considered honorably discharged if discharged solely for refusing a COVID-19 vaccine as specified; providing a definition; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1
.

W.S. 8
‑
1
‑
102(a) by creating a new paragraph (xx) is amended to read:

8
‑
1
‑
102.

Definitions.

(a)

As used in the statutes unless the legislature clearly specifies a different meaning or interpretation or the context clearly requires a different meaning:

(xx)

"Honorable discharge" or "honorably discharged," for purposes of law providing Wyoming benefits or exemptions, shall include any veteran of the United States armed forces or national guard whose discharge was general or other than honorable solely as a result of having refused a vaccine for COVID
‑
19 as defined in W.S. 1
‑
1
‑
141(a)(ii).

Section 2.

This act is effective immediately upon completion of all acts necessary for a bill to become law as provided by Article 4, Section 8 of the Wyoming Constitution.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the House.

Chief Clerk

1