Sponsor: Sen. Gerald Geis (R-S20, Worland)

In 1994, 61% of Wyoming voters turned down a proposed initiative to ban abortions except to save the life of the mother. However, bills restricting women’s access to safe and legal abortion continue to appear in the Wyoming Legislature.

In 1997, SF 133, titled "Informed choice," was introduced by Sen. Curt Meier (R-S3, LaGrange) and Rep. Pete Anderson (R-H10, Pine Bluffs). The bill required women seeking an abortion to be informed that medical assistance benefits may be available for prenatal care, childbirth, and neonatal care; that the father is liable for child support; and that women have a right to review certain printed materials describing the fetus and alternatives to abortion.

SF 133 died in the Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources Committee without a recorded vote.

In 1998, SF 27 proposed adding language to Wyoming’s existing abortion statutes to specifically prohibit "partial-birth" abortions.

Proponents of the bill argued that the procedures are not medically justified and are morally unacceptable.

Opponents argued that "partial-birth abortion" is not a medically recognized term, and since Wyoming statutes already prohibit abortions after the fetus has reached viability (except when necessary to protect the life or health of the mother), SF 27 would interfere with physicians’ decisions regarding the best medical treatment for seriously ill women needing post-viability abortions.

SF 27 failed to get the two-thirds vote necessary to introduce a non-budget bill in a budget session, 17-13. If proponents bring the bill again in 1999, an introductory vote will not be required.