HB 159 – Protecting Water From Chemical Abortion Waste
We Oppose This Bill.
Summary: AN ACT relating to abortions and environmental quality; specifying requirements for the provision of chemical abortions; specifying criminal and civil penalties and liability; specifying exceptions to criminal liability; specifying requirements for manufacturers of chemical abortion drugs; specifying environmental and disposal requirements for abortion drugs; specifying duties of the department of environmental quality; specifying applicability; providing for the conflict of laws; providing definitions; requiring rulemaking; and providing for an effective date.
Why It Matters: Wyoming women need access to obstetric, gynecological, and overall healthcare. This bill threatens access to contraception and life saving medications. The medications referenced are also used to treat unrelated medical issues such as gastric ulcers, endometriosis, Cushing syndrome, and more. Additionally, there is no way to differentiate what medical use the medicines are used for. Severe penalties for providers will discourage medical practice in Wyoming, worsening the already limited availability of women’s healthcare.