Refusal to Provide Medical Services
ABORTION REFUSAL CLAUSE
Wyoming allows certain individuals or entities to refuse to provide abortion services.
To whom does the refusal clause apply? Individuals, private hospitals, institutions, or facilities.
What does the refusal clause allow? No person may be required to participate in an abortion or in any act that assists in the performance of an abortion. The refusal of a person to participate may not be a basis for civil liability, discrimination in employment, or the imposition of other sanctions by a hospital, person, firm, association, or group. A person injured due to a violation of this provision may bring a civil action for damages or injunctive relief.
No private hospital, institution, or facility may be required to permit abortion or to admit a woman for the purpose of performing an abortion. The refusal of a private hospital, institution, or facility to permit or admit may not be a basis for civil liability.
Does the law require the refusing entity to notify the persons affected? Yes. A private hospital, institution, or facility must inform any woman seeking an abortion of its policy not to permit or admit.
Are there circumstances under which a refusal clause may not be exercised? No.
Does the law require the refusing individual or entity to provide medically and factually accurate information or provide a referral for abortion services? No.
Does the law provide a mechanism for women to otherwise obtain specific reproductive health services, information, or referrals if an individual and/or entity exercises a refusal clause? No.
Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-6-105, -106, -114(Enacted 1977).
FAMILY PLANNING REFUSAL CLAUSE
Wyoming allows certain individuals or entities to refuse to provide family planning and birth control services.
To whom does the refusal clause apply? State employees.
What does the refusal clause allow? No person who contracts with, receives payment from, or is employed by the Department of Health, who objects on the basis of personal or religious beliefs, may be required to offer family planning and birth control services. The refusal to offer family planning and birth control services shall not be the basis for any disciplinary action, discrimination in employment, or loss in pay or benefits. This personal or religious exemption may not abridge an individual's right to obtain family planning and birth control services.
Does the law require the refusing entity to notify the persons affected? No.
Are there circumstances under which a refusal clause may not be exercised? No.
Does the law require the refusing individual or entity to provide medically and factually accurate information or provide a referral for family planning and birth control services? No.
Does the law provide a mechanism for women to otherwise obtain specific reproductive health services, information, or referrals if an individual and/or entity exercises a refusal clause? No.
Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 42-5-101(d), -102(a)(ii) (Enacted 1969; Last Amended 1988).
