reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 14 - Children › Chapter 9 - Community Juvenile Services › Section 14-9-105 - Community Juvenile Services Boards; Advisory Boards.

14-9-105. Community juvenile services boards; advisory boards.
(a) A county may, in accordance with the Wyoming Joint Powers Act, enter into an agreement with one (1) or more counties, any or all cities within the county or counties, and any or all school districts within the county or counties, to form a joint powers board or, by an agreement among the entities specified in this subsection, to serve as a community juvenile services board under this act. Any board formed under this subsection shall comply with the requirements specified in W.S. 16-1-105. The board formed under this subsection shall include, at a minimum, representation from five (5) of the following entities within the jurisdictional boundaries of the community juvenile services board:
(i) A representative of local field offices of the department of family services;
(ii) A representative of local public health;
(iii) A representative from the local school districts;
(iv) A representative from prosecuting attorneys' offices;
(v) A representative from local police departments and sheriff's offices;
(vi) Representatives from the boards of county commissioners;
(vii) A representative from a local or regional mental health or substance abuse provider;
(viii) A representative from the public defender's office;
(ix) Any other professional the board of county commissioners or joint powers board may appoint, who has particular knowledge or expertise in children or young adult services.
(b) As an alternative to a community board, the county commissioners of a county may form a juvenile services advisory board. In forming an advisory board the county commissioners shall include representation from at least five (5) of the entities specified in subsection (a) of this section.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 14 - Children › Chapter 9 - Community Juvenile Services › Section 14-9-106 - Community Board Powers; Requirements of Boards and Counties.

14-9-106. Community board powers; requirements of boards and counties.
(a) A community board may:
(i) Receive funds from any source;
(ii) Employ staff using any available funds;
(iii) Expend funds to provide directly, or to contract for, juvenile services.
(b) Subject to this act, a community board or a board of county commissioners which has appointed an advisory board in accordance with W.S. 14-9-105(b) shall:
(i) Review existing community juvenile services within its jurisdiction;
(ii) Develop a community juvenile services strategic plan to accomplish the following purposes:
(A) Use of a uniform screening instrument;
(B) Assessments of referred children by licensed professionals who may include medical, mental health, social service and educational personnel;
(C) Procedures to facilitate referrals of youth and families of youth needing services by:
(I) School districts;
(II) Law enforcement;
(III) Licensed mental health care providers;
(IV) Licensed health care providers;
(V) A court;
(VI) The department of family services;
(VII) Community youth organizations;
(VIII) Families of youth needing services;
(IX) Self-referred youth.
(D) Periodic review of the strategic plan.
(iii) Repealed By Laws 2013, Ch. 20, 2.
(iv) Repealed By Laws 2013, Ch. 20, 2.
(v) Repealed By Laws 2008, Ch. 57, 2.
(c) A juvenile services advisory board shall provide advice to the board of county commissioners concerning the availability and need for juvenile services within the county and the expenditure of any funds received by the county pursuant to this act. The advisory board may also assist the board of county commissioners, or the appropriate county official as directed by the county commissioners, in preparing the strategic plan required by this section and the grant application required under W.S. 14-9-108.
(d) The community board shall not provide any services to any child without first obtaining written consent from the child's parent or guardian unless participation in the program or service offered by the community board is a condition of court ordered probation or suspension of sentence. A court of limited jurisdiction may authorize the community board to provide services to a child if, after a hearing, the court finds that the child's parent or guardian unreasonably refused to provide written consent for the child to receive services.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 14 - Children › Chapter 9 - Community Juvenile Services › Section 14-9-107 - Administration of Block Grant Program; Powers of Department of Family Services.

14-9-107. Administration of block grant program; powers of department of family services.
(a) Subject to the availability of funds, the department of family services in cooperation with the department of health and education shall administer a community juvenile services block grant program to assist communities to develop and maintain juvenile services.
(b) The departments of education, family services and health shall promulgate reasonable rules and regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of this act including rules relating to:
(i) Grant application procedures;
(ii) Grant eligibility;
(iii) Procedures for distributing block grants;
(iv) Research based strategies;
(v) Graduated sanctions and intervention levels for all juveniles.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 14 - Children › Chapter 9 - Community Juvenile Services › Section 14-9-108 - Grant Eligibility; Allocation of Funds.

14-9-108. Grant eligibility; allocation of funds.
(a) To qualify for a grant under this act, an applicant shall:
(i) Be created as a community board as provided by W.S. 14-9-105 or be a board of county commissioners which has appointed an advisory board in accordance with W.S. 14-9-105(b);
(ii) Submit a grant application;
(iii) Receive certification from the department of family services that the strategic plan developed by the community board or county addresses the purposes of this act;
(iv) Develop a system for:
(A) Central intake and assessment of juveniles with an initial point of contact established within the community;
(B) The development or adoption of criteria for juvenile diversion, short-term detention and longer-term shelter care services, including standards for assessments, admissions, twenty-four (24) hour intakes, predispositional detentions and shelter care standards;
(C) The development of a continuum of nonsecure services, including early intervention, diversion, community service and other sanctions which may include citations, counseling, parenting education, day treatment and aftercare following twenty-four (24) hour placements; and
(D) The identification of other funding sources for local juvenile services.
(b) Repealed By Laws 1998, ch. 8, 2.
(c) For grants awarded to community boards, services for juveniles under this section shall be paid cooperatively by the departments of family services, health and education to the providers of those services. For grants awarded to counties acting with an advisory board, services shall be paid by the county from grant funds provided to the county.
(d) Systems approved by the department under this section shall provide for confidential proceedings and records.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 14 - Children › Chapter 10 - State Advisory Council on Juvenile Justice › Section 14-10-101 - State Advisory Council on Juvenile Justice.

14-10-101. State advisory council on juvenile justice.
(a) There is created within the office of the governor the state advisory council on juvenile justice. The advisory council shall consist of not less than fifteen (15) members appointed by the governor representing each judicial district. Each member shall serve a three (3) year term. The advisory council shall be made up of members having training, experience or special knowledge concerning the prevention and treatment of juvenile delinquency or the administration of juvenile justice.
(b) The governor may remove any member of the advisory council as provided in W.S. 9-1-202.
(c) Vacancies on the advisory council shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term.
(d) The advisory council may meet four (4) or more times each year.
(e) Members of the advisory council shall not receive compensation for their services, but when actually engaged in the performance of their duties, they shall receive travel expenses, per diem and mileage expenses in the same manner and amount as employees of the state.
(f) The advisory council shall:
(i) Advise the governor in the development and review of the state's juvenile justice planning;
(ii) Assist communities in the formation of community juvenile services boards;
(iii) Make recommendation for an equitable funding formula for distribution of funds to community juvenile service boards;
(iv) Be afforded the opportunity to review and comment on all juvenile justice, delinquency prevention and juvenile services grant applications prepared for submission under any federal grant program by any governmental entity of the state;
(v) Review the progress and accomplishments of state and local juvenile justice, delinquency prevention and juvenile services projects;
(vi) At the direction of the governor, assist communities to collect, compile and distribute data relating to juvenile justice, delinquency prevention and juvenile services, including but not limited to, an inventory of programs and services available in each county of the state. The council shall then identify and make recommendations with regard to areas for which an unfulfilled need for services or programs exists;
(vii) Develop recommendations concerning establishments of priorities and needed improvements with respect to juvenile justice, delinquency prevention and juvenile services and report its recommendations to the governor and joint judiciary interim committee annually, on or before December 31;
(viii) Review and analyze the proposed budget for each entity of state government which utilizes state or federal funds to administer or provide juvenile justice programs and services and make recommendations to the governor; and
(ix) Coordinate the efficient and effective development and enhancement of state, local and regional juvenile justice programs.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 14 - Children › Chapter 11 - Safety for a Newborn Child › Section 14-11-102 - Definitions.

14-11-102. Definitions.
(a) As used in this act:
(i) "Abuse" means as defined by W.S. 14-3-202(a)(ii);
(ii) "Child protective agency" means as defined by W.S. 14-3-202(a)(iv);
(iii) "Fire station" means a fire station that is open and operating twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week, and that is continually staffed with full- time, paid firefighters who have emergency medical services training;
(iv) "Hospital" means a general acute hospital that is:
(A) Equipped with an emergency room;
(B) Open twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week; and
(C) Employs full-time health care professionals who have emergency medical services training.
(v) "Neglect" means as defined by W.S. 14-3-202(a)(vii);
(vi) "Newborn child" means a child who is fourteen (14) days of age or younger as determined within a reasonable degree of medical certainty;
(vii) "Safe haven provider" means any of the following that is staffed twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week:
(A) A fire station;
(B) A hospital;
(C) A police department or sheriff's office; or
(D) Any other place of shelter and safety identified by the department of family services which meets the requirements of rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to W.S. 14-11-107.
(viii) "This act" means W.S. 14-11-101 through 14-11-109.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 14 - Children › Chapter 11 - Safety for a Newborn Child › Section 14-11-103 - Relinquishment of a Newborn Child.

14-11-103. Relinquishment of a newborn child.
(a) A parent or a parent's designee may relinquish a newborn child to a safe haven provider in accordance with the provisions of this act and retain complete anonymity.
(b) Relinquishment of a newborn child shall not, in and of itself, constitute abuse or neglect and the child shall not be considered an abused or neglected child, so long as the relinquishment is carried out in substantial compliance with provisions of this act.
(c) A safe haven provider shall accept a newborn child who is relinquished pursuant to the provisions of this act, and may presume that the person relinquishing is the child's parent or parent's designee.
(d) The parent or parent's designee may provide information regarding the parent and newborn child's medical histories, and identifying information regarding the nonrelinquishing parent of the child, but the safe haven provider may not require that any information be given or the person relinquishing expresses an intent for return of the child.
(e) A safe haven provider may provide any necessary emergency medical care to the newborn child and shall deliver custody of the newborn child to the nearest hospital as soon as possible.
(f) A hospital receiving a relinquished newborn child may provide any necessary medical care to the child and shall notify the local child protective agency as soon as possible, but no later than twenty-four (24) hours after receiving the child.
(g) The local child protective agency shall assume care and custody of the child immediately upon notice from the hospital. After receiving custody, the local child protective agency shall assist in placement of the newborn child pursuant to W.S. 14-11-105(a).
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 14 - Children › Chapter 11 - Safety for a Newborn Child › Section 14-11-104 - Newborn Child Identity.

14-11-104. Newborn child identity.
Unless reliable and sufficient identifying information relating to the newborn child has been provided, the department of family services shall work with law enforcement agencies in an effort to ensure that the newborn child has not been identified as a missing child.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 14 - Children › Chapter 11 - Safety for a Newborn Child › Section 14-11-105 - Child Placement; Termination of Parental Rights.

14-11-105. Child placement; termination of parental rights.
(a) The department of family services shall immediately place or contract for placement of the newborn child in a potential adoptive home.
(b) If neither parent of the newborn child affirmatively seeks the return of the child within three (3) months after the date of delivery to a safe haven provider, the department of family services shall file a petition for the termination of the parent-child legal relationship in accordance with W.S. 14-2-308 through 14-2-319.
(c) Prior to filing a petition for termination, the department of family services shall conduct a search of the putative father registry for unmarried biological fathers and if the putative father is identified, the petition shall be served pursuant to W.S. 14-2-313.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 14 - Children › Chapter 11 - Safety for a Newborn Child › Section 14-11-106 - Safe Relinquishment Is an Affirmative Defense.

14-11-106. Safe relinquishment is an affirmative defense.
If the person relinquishing a newborn child is the child's parent or the parent's designee, relinquishment of a newborn child in substantial compliance with the provisions of this act is an affirmative defense to any potential criminal liability for abandonment or neglect relating to that relinquishment.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 14 - Children › Chapter 11 - Safety for a Newborn Child › Section 14-11-107 - Authority of Department of Family Services to Promulgate Rules and Regulations.

14-11-107. Authority of department of family services to promulgate rules and regulations.
The department of family services may promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the effective implementation of this act. The rules and regulations shall specify conditions and qualifications for safe haven providers in rural areas of the state that do not have a safe haven provider as defined in W.S. 14-11-102(a)(vii)(A), (B) or (C).
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 14 - Children › Chapter 11 - Safety for a Newborn Child › Section 14-11-108 - Immunity From Liability.

14-11-108. Immunity from liability.
Any person, official, institution or agency participating in good faith in any act required or permitted by this act is immune from any civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result by reason of the action. For the purpose of any civil or criminal proceeding, the good faith of any person, official, institution or agency participating in any act permitted or required by W.S. 14-11-101 through 14-11-109 shall be presumed.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 14 - Children › Chapter 11 - Safety for a Newborn Child › Section 14-11-109 - Reports of Relinquishments.

14-11-109. Reports of relinquishments.
Each local child protective agency shall maintain and update on a monthly basis a report of the number of newborn children who have been relinquished pursuant to this act and shall submit the information to the department of family services.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 14 - Children › Chapter 12 - Office of Guardian Ad Litem › Article 1 - Office of Guardian Ad Litem › Section 14-12-101 - Office of Guardian Ad Litem; Guardian Ad Litem Program; Rulemaking; Reporting.

14-12-101. Office of guardian ad litem; guardian ad litem program; rulemaking; reporting.
(a) The office of guardian ad litem shall administer a guardian ad litem program. The office shall employ or contract with, supervise and manage attorneys providing legal representation as guardians ad litem in the following cases and actions:
(i) Child protection cases under W.S. 14-3-101 through 14-3-440;
(ii) Children in need of supervision cases under W.S. 14-6-401 through 14-6-440, to the extent an attorney has been appointed to serve only as a guardian ad litem;
(iii) Delinquency cases under W.S. 14-6-201 through 14-6-252, to the extent an attorney has been appointed to serve only as a guardian ad litem;
(iv) Termination of parental rights actions under W.S. 14-2-308 through 14-2-319, brought as a result of a child protection, child in need of supervision or delinquency action;
(v) Interstate Compact on Juveniles proceedings under W.S. 14-6-102, when requested by the juvenile or the court;
(vi) Appeals to the Wyoming supreme court in the cases or actions specified in this subsection.
(b) Repealed by Laws 2020, ch. 122, 3.
(c) The office shall adopt policies and rules and regulations governing standards for the legal representation by attorneys acting as guardians ad litem in cases under the program and for the training of those attorneys. Any attorney providing services to the program as a guardian ad litem shall meet the standards established by the office for the program.
(d) The office shall include within its biennial budget request submitted under W.S. 9-2-1013 a report of the reimbursement for legal representation of children by attorneys as guardians ad litem in child protection or children in need of supervision cases. The report shall include the number of cases and the amount of funds expended for reimbursements and the amounts of matching monies from participating counties under W.S. 14-12-103 for each of the two (2) immediately preceding fiscal years. The county attorney in any county not participating in the program shall submit a report containing the same information for the county to the joint appropriations interim committee by December 1 of each odd numbered year.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 14 - Children › Chapter 12 - Office of Guardian Ad Litem › Article 1 - Office of Guardian Ad Litem › Section 14-12-102 - Appointment of Office to Provide Guardian Ad Litem Services.

14-12-102. Appointment of office to provide guardian ad litem services.
(a) In cases specified in W.S. 14-12-101(a), if the county in which the court is located participates in the program administered by the office:
(i) The court shall appoint the office to provide services when appointing a guardian ad litem. For purposes of this article, references to the program include the office;
(ii) The administrator or designee shall assign an attorney to act as guardian ad litem in accordance with the court's order.
(b) The office shall cooperate with juvenile courts in developing a case appointment system in each participating county for all applicable cases requiring the appointment of a guardian ad litem.
(c) An attorney accepting a guardian ad litem assignment shall be employed by or contract with the office to provide services in accordance with requirements established by the office. The contract shall specify the fees to be paid for the assignment, which may be a defined hourly or per case rate or a defined sum. Fees paid by the office may vary based upon the type and difficulty of the case, location, work required and experience.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 14 - Children › Chapter 12 - Office of Guardian Ad Litem › Article 1 - Office of Guardian Ad Litem › Section 14-12-104 - Applicability of the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act and State Self-Insurance Program.

14-12-104. Applicability of the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act and state self-insurance program.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any attorney providing services for the office pursuant to the guardian ad litem program shall, for matters arising out of such services, be considered a state employee for purposes of coverage and representation under the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act, W.S. 1-39-101 through 1-39-120, and the state self-insurance program, W.S. 1-41-101 through 1-41-111.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 14 - Children › Chapter 13 - Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard › Section 14-13-101 - Definitions.

14-13-101. Definitions.
(a) As used in this chapter:
(i) "Age appropriate or developmentally appropriate activities and experiences" means activities and experiences that are:
(A) Generally accepted as suitable for children of the same chronological age or level of maturity or that are determined to be developmentally appropriate for a child based on the development of cognitive, emotional, physical and behavioral capacities that are typical for an age or age group; or
(B) In the case of a specific child, suitable for that child based on the developmental stages attained by the child with respect to the cognitive, emotional, physical and behavioral capacities of the child.
(ii) "Caregiver" means a foster parent, a designated official for a child caring facility certified pursuant to W.S. 14-4-101 through 14-4-117 or any other person with whom the child is placed by court order in an out-of-home placement or any other placement pursuant to chapter 3, article 4 of this title and chapter 6, articles 2 and 4 of this title;
(iii) "Department" means the Wyoming department of family services;
(iv) "Foster care" means twenty-four (24) hour substitute care for children placed away from their parents or guardians and for whom the department has placement and care responsibilities, including but not limited to placements in:
(A) Foster family homes;
(B) Foster homes of relatives;
(C) Group homes;
(D) Emergency shelters;
(E) Residential facilities;
(F) Pre-adoptive homes;
(G) Child care institutions.
(v) "Out-of-home placement" means a placement of a child physically out of his home pursuant to W.S. 14-3-201 through 14-3-216, the Child Protection Act, W.S. 14-3-401 through 14-3-441, 14-6-102, the Juvenile Justice Act, W.S. 14-6-201 through 14-6-252, or the Children in Need of Supervision Act, W.S. 14-6-401 through 14-6-440;
(vi) "Reasonable and prudent parent standard" means careful and sensible parental decisions that maintain the health, safety, well-being and best interests of a child while encouraging the emotional and developmental growth of the child;
(vii) "Residual parental rights and duties" means those rights and duties remaining with the parents after legal custody, guardianship of the person or both have been vested in another person, agency or institution. Residual parental rights and duties include but are not limited to:
(A) The duty to support and provide necessities of life;
(B) The right to consent to adoption;
(C) The right to reasonable visitation unless restricted or prohibited by court order;
(D) The right to determine the minor's religious affiliation; and
(E) The right to petition on behalf of the minor.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 14 - Children › Chapter 13 - Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard › Section 14-13-102 - Access and Standards.

14-13-102. Access and standards.
(a) Subject to subsections (b) and (d) of this section, a child in an out-of-home placement is entitled to engage in, to the greatest extent possible, age appropriate or developmentally appropriate activities and experiences as he would otherwise be able to experience in his own home. A child with a disability or special needs in an out-of-home placement shall have the same access to age appropriate or developmentally appropriate activities and experiences as the child s nondisabled peers, even if reasonable accommodations are required.
(b) Subject to subsection (d) of this section and if not in conflict with any residual parental rights and duties, applicable court order or department case plan, a caregiver shall use the reasonable and prudent parent standard when determining whether to allow a child in foster care under the responsibility of the department or in an out-of-home placement to participate in extracurricular, enrichment, cultural or social activities.
(c) Under the reasonable and prudent parent standard, a caregiver shall give consideration to the following when deciding whether to allow a child to participate in an activity or experience:
(i) A parent or custodian s wishes, when appropriate;
(ii) The child s age, maturity and development level to ensure the child's overall health and safety;
(iii) The potential risk factors and appropriateness of the activity or experience;
(iv) The best interest of the child based on information known by the caregiver;
(v) The child s wishes;
(vi) The importance of encouraging the child s emotional and developmental growth;
(vii) The importance of supporting the child in developing skills to successfully transition to adulthood;
(viii) The importance of providing the child with the most family like living experience possible; and
(ix) Any special needs or accommodations that the child may need to safely participate in the activity or experience.
(d) A caregiver may provide or withhold permission for children in his care to participate in and experience age appropriate or developmentally appropriate activities and experiences. A caregiver's ability to grant or withhold permission:
(i) Shall not override or conflict with a parent s residual parental rights and duties to make decisions regarding his child s participation in activities and experiences or with rights as determined by court order;
(ii) Shall be exercised using the reasonable prudent parent standard;
(iii) Shall not conflict with any applicable court order or department case plan;
(iv) May be exercised without the prior approval of the department if exercising caregiver authority is consistent with the department case plan.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 14 - Children › Chapter 13 - Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard › Section 14-13-103 - Limitation of Liability.

14-13-103. Limitation of liability.
(a) A caregiver shall not be liable for harm caused to a child as the result of his participation in an activity or experience approved by the caregiver if the caregiver complies with the requirements of W.S. 14-13-102(d).
(b) In addition to the liability protection provided under subsection (a) of this section, this section shall not remove or limit any other applicable liability protection conferred upon caregivers by any other law.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 14 - Children › Chapter 13 - Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard › Section 14-13-104 - Obligations of the Department of Family Services.

14-13-104. Obligations of the department of family services.
(a) As a condition of certification for foster care, the department shall require the implementation of standards and training meant to assure compliance with the reasonable and prudent parent standard. To meet this requirement, the department shall provide information and education concerning:
(i) The developmental stages of the child's cognitive, emotional, physical and behavioral capacities;
(ii) Whether to allow a child to engage in extracurricular, enrichment, cultural or social activities including sports, field trips and overnight activities lasting one (1) day or longer; and
(iii) The signing of permission slips and arranging transportation for the child to and from extracurricular, enrichment, cultural and social activities.
(b) At certification and recertification reviews, the department shall verify that caregivers providing out-of-home placement promote and protect the ability of a child to participate in age appropriate or developmentally appropriate activities and experiences.
(c) The department shall develop standards and a process by which individuals employed by facilities providing out-of-home placements are designated to make decisions for children under the reasonable and prudent parent standard.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 15 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › Article 1 - Powers and Miscellaneous Matters › Section 15-1-101 - Definitions.

15-1-101. Definitions.
(a) As used in W.S. 15-1-101 through 15-11-302:
(i) "Any city or town" means any incorporated municipality;
(ii) "Councilman or councilmen" means the individuals elected to comprise the governing body of any city or town;
(iii) "Emergency ordinance" means an ordinance operating for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety or welfare, in which the emergency is defined;
(iv) "First class city" means any incorporated municipality having a population of four thousand (4,000) or more which has been declared a first class city or which has taken the necessary steps to be and has been proclaimed a first class city;
(v) "Franchise" means the grant of authority to any person or firm by the governing body of any city or town to carry on the operation of a public utility;
(vi) "Governing body" means the council or commission constituting the elected legislative body of any city or town including the mayor who is the presiding officer;
(vii) "Local improvement" means any improvement made within any city or town, the cost of which may be assessed against the property specially benefited thereby;
(viii) "Mayor" means the person elected, either by popular vote or by vote of the governing body, to exercise the powers of the office and to be presiding officer of the governing body;
(ix) "Ordinance" means a legislative enactment of general effect validly adopted by the governing body of any city or town;
(x) "Person" means any individual, firm, partnership, corporation or other business entity, or the executor, administrator, trustee, receiver, assignee or personal representative thereof;
(xi) "Public improvement" means an improvement made within any city or town for which general bonded obligation may be incurred;
(xii) "Qualified elector" means any person possessing the requisite qualifications to vote in any election conducted within a city or town for the selection of mayors or councilmen;
(xiii) "Qualified member" means any member of a governing body who was elected or appointed thereto in accordance with all applicable provisions of law;
(xiv) "Town" means any incorporated municipality, not a first class city;
(xv) "This act", unless otherwise specified, means W.S. 15-1-101 through 15-11-302.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 15 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › Article 1 - Powers and Miscellaneous Matters › Section 15-1-102 - Prior Incorporations and Elections Legalized.

15-1-102. Prior incorporations and elections legalized.
All incorporations and proceedings to incorporate cities and towns and all elections held in cities and towns, whether pursuant to the laws of the territory of Wyoming, or the state of Wyoming, are legalized, notwithstanding any irregularity that may have occurred.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 15 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › Article 1 - Powers and Miscellaneous Matters › Section 15-1-104 - Authority to Carry Liability Insurance.

15-1-104. Authority to carry liability insurance.
(a) Any city or town may carry liability insurance in an amount the governing body deems necessary. The insurance shall be:
(i) On standard policy forms approved by the state insurance commissioner;
(ii) With companies authorized to do business in Wyoming;
(iii) Paid out of the general fund of the city or town.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 15 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › Article 1 - Powers and Miscellaneous Matters › Section 15-1-105 - Governing Bodies; Meetings; Quorum; Executive Sessions.

15-1-105. Governing bodies; meetings; quorum; executive sessions.
Public meetings of the governing body shall be held in accordance with W.S. 16-4-401 through 16-4-408. Special meetings may also be called by a majority of the qualified members of the governing body. A majority of all the qualified members of the governing body constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business, but any number may adjourn a meeting to compel the attendance of and punish absent members. If the nature of the business so requires, the governing body by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members present, may go into executive session and exclude the public therefrom.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 15 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › Article 1 - Powers and Miscellaneous Matters › Section 15-1-106 - Conduct and Journal of Governing Body's Proceedings.

15-1-106. Conduct and journal of governing body's proceedings.
The governing body shall determine the rules for the conduct of its proceedings, and shall keep a journal thereof which is a public record. The manner in which each member of the governing body votes on any matter upon which a vote is taken shall be entered in the journal.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 15 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › Article 1 - Powers and Miscellaneous Matters › Section 15-1-107 - Vacancies in Offices; Grounds; How Filled.

15-1-107. Vacancies in offices; grounds; how filled.
(a) A vacancy exists in the office of mayor or councilman if during the term for which elected any mayor or councilman:
(i) Except as provided in W.S. 22-23-103, fails the residency requirements as defined by local ordinance for the city, town or ward;
(ii) Is convicted of a felony;
(iii) Fails to attend four (4) or more consecutive regularly scheduled meetings of the council without an excused absence as determined by a majority of the council according to procedures adopted pursuant to subsection (b) of this section; or
(iv) Meets any other condition specified in W.S. 22-18-101.
(b) The governing body, by ordinance, shall specify the procedure for determining whether a vacancy exists.
(c) If a vacancy is determined to exist, the governing body shall appoint an eligible person to the office who shall serve until his successor is elected at the next general municipal election and qualified. If the entire council is vacant, the district judge for the district in which the city or town is located shall appoint a person to fill each vacancy and serve until the next general municipal election at which time a successor shall be elected to fill the unexpired portion of each term.
(d) A vacancy in the office of mayor shall be filled only from the governing body.
(e) Vacancies in appointive offices shall be filled in the manner provided for initial appointments.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 15 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › Article 1 - Powers and Miscellaneous Matters › Section 15-1-108 - Powers and Duties of Mayor; Appointment of Mayor Pro Tem.

15-1-108. Powers and duties of mayor; appointment of mayor pro tem.
(a) Unless otherwise provided by statute, the mayor shall:
(i) Preside at all meetings of the governing body, and in his absence a councilman shall be appointed to act as mayor pro tem;
(ii) Have superintending control of all officers and affairs of the city or town;
(iii) Take care that the ordinances and laws are complied with;
(iv) Administer oaths;
(v) Sign commissions and appointments and all bonds, contracts and other obligations required to be signed in the name of the city or town; and
(vi) Have one (1) vote on all matters coming before the governing body upon which a vote is taken, except a vote:
(A) To override a veto;
(B) To confirm an appointment other than a vote to break a tie vote of the governing body; and
(C) Pursuant to a hearing for removal or discharge as provided in W.S. 15-2-102(b)(iv)(C) or 15-3-204(b)(iv)(C).
(b) Repealed by Laws 1984, ch. 15, 2.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 15 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › Article 1 - Powers and Miscellaneous Matters › Section 15-1-109 - When Clerk May Administer Oaths.

15-1-109. When clerk may administer oaths.
(a) The clerk of any city or town may administer oaths to persons for any city or town purpose for which an oath is required or authorized by law.
(b) In adding his jurat to any oath he administers, the clerk shall attach the official seal of the city or town to the jurat.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 15 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › Article 1 - Powers and Miscellaneous Matters › Section 15-1-110 - Minutes of Meetings and Titles of Ordinances Passed to Be Published; Exception; Contents; Publication of Salary Information of Specified Officials and Employees.

15-1-110. Minutes of meetings and titles of ordinances passed to be published; exception; contents; publication of salary information of specified officials and employees.
(a) The governing body of any city or town shall designate a legal newspaper and publish once therein the minutes of all regular and special meetings of the governing body and the titles of all ordinances passed. If a newspaper is not published in the city or town the proceedings or ordinances shall be posted for at least ten (10) days in the city or town clerk's office and in such other places as the governing body determines. The clerk of each city or town shall within twelve (12) days after adjournment of every meeting, furnish the newspaper a copy of the proceedings of the meeting. Except for salaries and wages published under subsection (b) of this section, the copy shall include any bill presented to the governing body stating the amount of the bill, the amount allowed, the purpose of the bill and the claimant. Claims for part-time employees may be summarized by department without listing each part-time employee. The newspaper shall publish the copy of proceedings within nine (9) days after receipt.
(b) A city or town required to publish minutes under subsection (a) of this section shall separately publish:
(i) Within sixty (60) days after the end of each fiscal year, the name, position, base annual salary of and amount of overtime pay paid to each full-time employee and each elected official. A brief statement shall accompany the salary publication specifying that all salaries are listed as base annual salaries or actual wages, not including any benefits such as health insurance costs, life insurance benefits and pension plans. The statement shall also indicate that any overtime the employee earned and was paid by the city or town is included;
(ii) Repealed By Laws 2014, Ch. 86, 2.
(c) Repealed By Laws 2014, Ch. 86, 2.
(d) Subsection (b) of this section shall not apply to undercover personnel working in the law enforcement field.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 15 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › Article 1 - Powers and Miscellaneous Matters › Section 15-1-111 - Appropriations for Advertisement of Resources Authorized; Exception.

15-1-111. Appropriations for advertisement of resources authorized; exception.
(a) The governing body of any city or town may make appropriations from the city or town general fund for:
(i) Advertising the resources of the city or town;
(ii) Furthering its industrial development; or
(iii) Encouraging exhibits at fairs, expositions and conventions.
(b) No appropriation may be for the express aid of any private citizen, firm or corporation.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 15 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › Article 1 - Powers and Miscellaneous Matters › Section 15-1-112 - Manner of Disposing of Municipal Property; When Advertising and Bids Not Necessary.

15-1-112. Manner of disposing of municipal property; when advertising and bids not necessary.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section and W.S. 15-1-113(a), before the sale of any property of any city or town valued at five hundred dollars ($500.00) or more, an advertisement of the intended sale, describing the property and the terms of the sale, shall be published at least once each week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper having general circulation in the community, announcing a public auction or calling for sealed bids for purchase of the property. The property shall be sold to the highest responsible bidder, unless the governing body of the city or town rejects all bids. The responsibility of the bidders shall be determined by the governing body of the city or town.
(b) Any city or town, upon terms the governing body thereof determines, without advertising the sale or calling for bids, and after a public hearing, notice of which shall include the appraised value of all real properties involved and notice of proposed terms of any contract with an independent agency pursuant to paragraph (iii) of this subsection and is published at least once each week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the city or town is located, may:
(i) Sell any property to:
(A) The state of Wyoming for the use of any agency or instrumentality thereof;
(B) Any agency or instrumentality of the state or federal government authorized to hold property in its own name;
(C) Any political subdivision of the state;
(D) Any person acquiring the property for a use which the governing body determines will benefit the economic development of the municipality.
(ii) Trade any real property the city or town owns for any other real property;
(iii) Contract with an independent agent to sell individual parcels of land for development as reasonable cost housing alternatives for prospective homeowners, provided the parcels have not been previously developed beyond the installation of basic utilities and a foundation.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 15 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › Article 1 - Powers and Miscellaneous Matters › Section 15-1-114 - Ordinances; Required for Legislation; Exceptions; How Proved.

15-1-114. Ordinances; required for legislation; exceptions; how proved.
(a) All municipal legislation shall be by ordinance, unless provided otherwise by law, except that licenses may be granted by resolution.
(b) All ordinances may be proved by the certificate of the clerk, under the seal of the city or town, and when printed or published in book or pamphlet form, and purporting to be published by authority of the city or town, shall be read and received in all courts and places without further proof.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 15 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › Article 1 - Powers and Miscellaneous Matters › Section 15-1-115 - Ordinances; Form and Style; Presumption; Manner of Enactment; Vote Required.

15-1-115. Ordinances; form and style; presumption; manner of enactment; vote required.
(a) All ordinances shall be in writing and passed pursuant to rules and regulations adopted by the governing body. No ordinance, except one making appropriations or one for the codification or general revision of ordinances, may contain more than one (1) subject which shall be expressed clearly in the title. Ordinances making appropriations and ordinances relating to codification or general revision of ordinances shall be limited to those subjects. The style of all ordinances shall be: "Be it ordained by the governing body of the city (town) of ....".
(b) Every ordinance relating to the codification or general revision of ordinances which has been passed and adopted prior to the effective date of this section, and is otherwise in conformance with this section, is deemed to meet the requirement that an ordinance shall not contain more than one (1) subject which shall be expressed clearly in the title.
(c) Every ordinance shall be publicly read on three (3) different days. Public reading may be by title only. At least ten (10) days shall elapse between the introduction and final passage of every ordinance. For an emergency ordinance, the requirements of this section may be suspended by the affirmative vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the qualified members of the governing body. No franchise may be granted by emergency ordinance.
(d) Passage of an ordinance requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the qualified members of the governing body. Passage of an emergency ordinance requires the affirmative vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the qualified members of the governing body.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 15 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › Article 1 - Powers and Miscellaneous Matters › Section 15-1-116 - Ordinances; Publication Required; Exception; Attestation; Recodification or Revision.

15-1-116. Ordinances; publication required; exception; attestation; recodification or revision.
(a) Every ordinance before becoming effective shall be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation, which maintains a physical office at which advertisements are accepted and which is open to the public during regularly set business hours within the boundaries of the city or town. The newspaper shall publish the ordinance within nine (9) days from the date of receipt. If there is no such newspaper, the ordinance shall be posted for at least ten (10) days in the city clerk's office and in such other places as the governing body determines. Emergency ordinances are effective upon proclamation of the mayor, and as soon thereafter as is practicable they shall be published and posted in the manner required of other ordinances.
(b) Every ordinance, within a reasonable time after passage, shall be signed by the mayor, attested by the clerk and recorded in a book kept for that purpose. The attestation of the clerk shall show that the ordinance was duly published and posted.
(c) A recodification or revision of ordinances shall be published by title only together with a brief summary of the recodification or revision, in the manner provided in subsection (a) of this section for newspaper publication, provided that a copy of the recodification or revision shall be available to the public at all reasonable hours in the office of the city or town clerk.
(d) Ordinances adopted by the governing bodies of all incorporated cities and towns prior to the effective date of this act, which were posted for at least ten (10) days in the city clerk's office and in such other places as the governing body determined, are deemed to be in compliance with the requirements of this section.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 15 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › Article 1 - Powers and Miscellaneous Matters › Section 15-1-117 - Ordinances; Amendment and Repeal.

15-1-117. Ordinances; amendment and repeal.
Amendments and repeals of ordinances, or sections thereof, shall be by ordinance. An amending ordinance shall set forth the entire ordinance or section as amended. No vote of the governing body may be reconsidered or rescinded at any meeting unless there are as many members present as there were when the vote was originally taken.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 15 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › Article 1 - Powers and Miscellaneous Matters › Section 15-1-118 - Effect of Governmental Change on Ordinances.

15-1-118. Effect of governmental change on ordinances.
If any city or town acquires a new classification or changes its form of government, all ordinances, bylaws and resolutions shall continue in force until amended or repealed, except insofar as they may be inconsistent with the provisions of the law governing the new class or form of government.