Regulation detail

Wyo. Stat. tit. 25

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Wyo. Stat. tit. 25 active

Institutions (ch. 10 commitment, 25-10-122 confidentiality)

Jurisdiction: WY Agency: Wyoming Legislative Service Office
IDD_RESIDENTIAL (100%) OUTPATIENT (80%) PSYCH_FACILITY (100%)
Plain-English summary

Wyoming Title 25 governs the establishment, administration, and operation of various state institutions, including correctional facilities, juvenile schools, and the Wyoming Life Resource Center (an ICF/IID and skilled nursing facility for persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities and acquired brain injuries). The Life Resource Center chapters set detailed rules for admission, individual program plans, involuntary commitment procedures, client rights, and staffing standards for that facility. Compliance staff at the Life Resource Center must follow department rules on preadmission screening, interdisciplinary team planning, and discharge procedures consistent with federal ICF/IID and skilled nursing facility regulations.

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Regulation text
TITLE 25 - INSTITUTIONS OF THE STATE 
 
CHAPTER 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS 
 
ARTICLE 1 - DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS 
 
25-1-101. Repealed by Laws 1992, ch. 25, § 4. 
 
25-1-102. Repealed by Laws 1992, ch. 25, § 4. 
 
25-1-103. Repealed by Laws 1992, ch. 25, § 4. 
 
25-1-104. Creation of department of corrections; duties; 
inspections of state institutions; regulation of prisoner 
produced goods. 
 
(a) The department of corrections is created. The 
department consists of the director who is the chief 
administrative officer and such divisions as the director may 
create. 
 
(b) The department of corrections has general supervision, 
control and custody of all penal institutions, and 
responsibility for the maintenance and repair of all buildings 
and grounds utilized by the institutions. Specifically the 
department has general supervision and control of, and shall 
provide for the care and maintenance of all inmates in the 
following state institutions: 
 
(i) Wyoming state penitentiary; 
 
(ii) Wyoming honor farms and camps; 
 
(iii) Wyoming women's center; 
 
(iv) Wyoming medium correctional institution; 
 
(v) Adult community correctional facilities defined 
by W.S. 7-18-102(a)(i). 
 
(c) The department of corrections has general supervisory 
authority over state parolees and, subject to the order of the 
sentencing court, over probationers for whom the sentencing 
court requests supervision under W.S. 7-13-410(b). 
 
(d) The director shall: 
 
(i) Personally inspect all state institutions under 
the department's supervision and control at least once every 
year; 
 
(ii) Direct the general management of all state penal 
institutions enumerated in W.S. 25-1-104(b) and be responsible 
for the proper disbursement of all funds appropriated for their 
maintenance; 
 
(iii) Direct the general management of the state 
probation and parole program; and 
 
(iv) Appoint, prescribe the duties of, and remove at 
will the following officers: 
 
(A) Wardens of the Wyoming state penitentiary, 
medium correctional institution, women's center and Wyoming 
honor farms and camps; 
 
(B) Repealed by Laws 2005, ch. 93, § 2. 
 
(C) Repealed By Laws 2005, ch. 93, § 2. 
 
(D) The state probation and parole officer. 
 
(e) The officers provided for under W.S. 
25-1-104(d)(iv)(A) and (D) shall: 
 
(i) Serve as administrator of and manage the 
institutions to which they are appointed subject to the 
supervision of the director; 
 
(ii) Employ personnel necessary and approved by the 
director and the Wyoming legislature; 
 
(iii) Report to the director as required. 
 
(f) The director may appoint and may remove at will a 
deputy director and division administrators. 
 
(g) The department shall establish rules and regulations 
regarding the provision of services and the production of goods 
by prisoners at all state corrections institutions including but 
not limited to labor requirements, wage rates, use of goods 
within the institution of origin, sales price and method of 
distribution to other institutions or the general public. In 
promulgating rules relating to correctional industries programs 
authorized by W.S. 25-13-101 through 25-13-107, the department 
shall adhere to the requirements of the private sector prison 
industry enhancement certification program of the federal bureau 
of justice assistance. Rules and regulations promulgated under 
this subsection shall place limitations on competition with the 
private sector and will ensure that no contract entered into 
under W.S. 25-13-101 through 25-13-107 will result in the 
displacement of employed workers in the state in excess of 
limitations established by the correctional industries advisory 
board created by W.S. 25-13-102. 
 
(h) The department of corrections has general supervision 
and control of, and shall provide for the care and maintenance 
of all inmates who have been placed in institutions of other 
jurisdictions or private entities pursuant to contracts or 
agreements under W.S. 25-1-105(e). 
 
(j) The director may order returned to the custody of the 
department any person under the department's jurisdiction. The 
written order of the director shall be sufficient warrant for 
any peace officer to return to actual custody any escaped state 
prisoner or any state prisoner released prior to his scheduled 
release date or who is about to be released by another 
jurisdiction prior to his scheduled release date in Wyoming. It 
is the duty of all peace officers to execute the order of the 
director issued under this subsection in like manner as ordinary 
criminal process. A person taken into custody under the order of 
the director is not subject to release on bail. Consistent with 
W.S. 7-3-201 through 7-3-227, the director may apply to the 
governor to seek the extradition of an inmate apprehended in 
another state pursuant to an order of the director issued under 
this subsection. 
 
(k) The department of corrections shall issue certificates 
of restoration of rights pursuant to W.S. 7-13-105(b), (c), (f) 
and (j). 
 
25-1-105. Powers of department; care of persons committed 
outside of state. 
 
(a) The department of corrections shall adopt rules and 
regulations necessary to carry out its functions. The 
promulgation of substantive rules by the department, the conduct 
of its hearings and its final decisions are specifically exempt 
from all provisions of the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act 
including the provisions for judicial review under W.S. 16-3-114 
and 16-3-115. The department's rules shall be filed in the 
office of the secretary of state. 
 
(b) The department may enter into contracts with the 
federal government or other states for the care of persons 
committed outside of Wyoming. 
 
(c) Subject to subsection (d) of this section, the 
department may, to obtain demonstrable cost savings or better 
quality of services, contract with private service providers or 
with other agencies for any of the following services to be 
provided for inmates of any state adult penal institution: 
 
(i) Education, training and jobs programs; 
 
(ii) Recreational and religious activities; 
 
(iii) Development and implementation assistance for 
classification, management information systems or other 
information systems or services; 
 
(iv) Medical services; 
 
(v) Food services, commissary, transportation, 
sanitation or other ancillary services; and 
 
(vi) Counseling, special treatment programs or other 
programs for special needs. 
 
(d) The department shall by rule and regulation impose 
upon services contracted pursuant to paragraph (c)(i) of this 
section limitations on competition with the private sector and 
ensure contracted services do not significantly displace 
employed workers within the community. 
 
(e) The department of corrections may enter into contracts 
and agreements with any county for the confinement and 
maintenance in county jails of persons sentenced to the custody 
of the department of corrections to serve a term of imprisonment 
in a state penal institution. The department may enter into 
contracts and agreements with other states, including those 
which are not party to the Western Interstate Corrections 
Compact, with the federal government, with other governmental 
entities and with private owners and operators of correctional 
facilities in other states, for the confinement and maintenance 
of persons sentenced to the custody of the department to serve a 
term of imprisonment in a state penal institution. The 
department shall establish rules and regulations regarding the 
minimum standards for such facilities and standards for the care 
and treatment of department of correction's inmates incarcerated 
therein. 
 
(f) Pursuant to this section and W.S. 9-2-130, the 
department of corrections shall collaborate with the department 
of health to reduce recidivism rates for persons with behavioral 
health needs and substance use disorders who are involved in the 
criminal justice system and improve mental health and substance 
use disorder programming by: 
 
(i) Improving the quality and accuracy of substance 
use assessments administered to persons with criminal justice 
involvement by creating a quality improvement unit in the 
department of corrections that will regularly monitor the 
administration and use of assessment tools. The department of 
corrections shall report to the joint labor, health and social 
services interim committee on the status of the unit, including 
progress on the creation of the unit, results of unit efforts, 
unit expenditures and remaining funds from appropriations made 
for the unit. The department of corrections shall provide this 
report to the joint labor, health and social services interim 
committee by September 1 of each year through 2023; 
 
(ii) Creating a behavioral health services 
enhancement program for community providers to improve outcomes 
for persons involved in the criminal justice system through a 
separate contract, or in a separate provision in an existing 
contract, administered by the department of health; 
 
(iii) Adopting standardized, evidence based treatment 
practices and guidelines for treating and providing programming 
to persons involved in the criminal justice system with 
behavioral health and substance use needs; 
 
(iv) Increasing communication between the department 
of health, the department of corrections and contracted 
behavioral health providers working with persons involved in the 
criminal justice system; 
 
(v) Promoting and requiring to the maximum extent 
practical and permissible under applicable laws and regulations 
the portability and universal recognition of mental health and 
substance use disorder assessment tools and other assessment 
tools that may be applicable to mental health and substance use 
disorder treatment; and 
 
(vi) Creating a competitive and outcomes based 
funding stream for behavioral health providers to: 
 
(A) Expand existing services for criminal 
justice involved populations; 
 
(B) Improve the quality and availability of 
services and programs; 
 
(C) Train and develop the skills of providers 
and stakeholders working with persons who have behavior health 
needs and substance use disorders and who are involved in the 
criminal justice system. 
 
(g) This section shall not be interpreted to require the 
creation or maintenance of any duplicate functions, services or 
programs in the department of corrections and the department of 
health, but shall be interpreted with W.S. 9-2-130 to require 
coordination and collaboration between the agencies to assure 
the creation and maintenance of independent or coordinated 
functions, services and programs to meet the goals of this 
section and W.S. 9-2-130. 
 
(h) The department of corrections shall promulgate rules 
specifying reasonable actions a person in charge of a penal 
institution or correctional facility may take to stop or prevent 
a violation of W.S. 6-5-214(b). 
 
25-1-106. Repealed by Laws 1992, ch. 25, § 4. 
 
25-1-107. Repealed by Laws 1987, ch. 127, § 2. 
 
25-1-108. Repealed by Laws 1987, ch. 127, § 2. 
 
25-1-109. Repealed by Laws 1987, ch. 127, § 2. 
 
25-1-110. Repealed by Laws 1987, ch. 127, § 2. 
 
ARTICLE 2 - STATE INSTITUTIONS 
 
25-1-201. Establishment of state institutions. 
 
(a) The following state institutions are established: 
 
(i) The Wyoming state penitentiary at Rawlins, 
Wyoming; 
 
(ii) The Wyoming boys' school at Worland, Wyoming; 
 
(iii) The Wyoming girls' school at Sheridan, Wyoming; 
 
(iv) The Wyoming life resource center at Lander, 
Wyoming; 
 
(v) Repealed By Laws 1998, ch. 7, § 2. 
 
(vi) The Wyoming pioneer home at Thermopolis, 
Wyoming; 
 
(vii) The veterans' home of Wyoming at Buffalo, 
Wyoming; 
 
(viii) The Wyoming retirement center at Basin, 
Wyoming; 
 
(ix) The Wyoming women's center at Lusk, Wyoming; 
 
(x) The Wyoming state hospital at Evanston, Wyoming; 
 
(xi) The Wyoming medium correctional institution at 
Torrington, Wyoming; 
 
(xii) The Wyoming school for the deaf at Casper, 
Wyoming; 
 
(xiii) The Wyoming honor farm at Riverton, Wyoming; 
 
(xiv) The Wyoming honor conservation camp at 
Newcastle, Wyoming; 
 
(xv) The Wyoming veterans' skilled nursing facility 
at Buffalo, Wyoming. 
 
(b) Repealed by Laws 1992, ch. 25, § 4. 
 
(c) Repealed by Laws 1992, ch. 25, § 4. 
 
(d) Repealed by Laws 1987, ch. 185, § 2. 
 
CHAPTER 2 - STATE PENITENTIARY 
 
25-2-101. Seal of warden; copies of papers displaying seal 
received as evidence. 
 
(a) The warden of the penitentiary shall have an official 
seal bearing the words "Warden of the Penitentiary of the State 
of Wyoming" of which the courts of this state shall take 
judicial notice. 
 
(b) When the official seal of the warden is affixed to 
copies of papers, books and records kept in his office, the 
copies are competent evidence in the courts and have the same 
force and effect as the originals. 
 
25-2-102. Authority to establish and maintain penitentiary 
farms; disposition of funds from sales or services; supervision. 
 
(a) The state may establish, maintain and operate one (1) 
or more penitentiary farms and camps as needed to provide a 
place of confinement and employment of convicted felons 
sentenced to the custody of the department of corrections to 
serve a term of imprisonment in a state penal institution. 
 
(b) All funds received from the sale of products or 
services produced on penitentiary farms and camps shall be 
credited to a separate account. 
 
(c) All penitentiary farms and camps established shall be 
operated and maintained under the general supervision of the 
department of corrections. 
 
25-2-103. Wyoming women's center; establishment; purpose; 
supervision. 
 
(a) The Wyoming women's center is established at Lusk, 
Wyoming, to provide a place of confinement, employment and 
training for convicted female felons sentenced to the custody of 
the department of corrections to serve a term of imprisonment in 
a state penal institution. 
 
(b) The Wyoming women's center shall be operated and 
maintained under the general supervision of the department of 
corrections. 
 
25-2-104. Wyoming correctional facility; establishment; 
purpose; supervision. 
 
(a) The Wyoming correctional facility is established at 
Torrington, Wyoming, to provide a place of confinement, 
employment and training for convicted felons sentenced to the 
custody of the department of corrections to serve a term of 
imprisonment in a state penal institution. 
 
(b) The Wyoming correctional facility shall be operated 
and maintained under the general supervision of the department 
of corrections. 
 
CHAPTER 3 - WYOMING BOYS' SCHOOL 
 
25-3-101. Persons to be confined; notice; transportation 
to school. 
 
(a) Any boy who has attained the age of twelve (12) years 
and who has been ordered committed in compliance with W.S. 
14-6-229 may be committed to the Wyoming boys' school. The term 
of any boy committed shall be determined by the department of 
family services. 
 
(b) Any person may be sentenced or transferred to the 
boys' school pursuant to W.S. 7-13-101. 
 
(c) After a person is committed or sentenced to the 
Wyoming boys' school the clerk of court shall notify the 
department of family services and the superintendent of the 
institution. The department of family services shall arrange for 
transportation. 
 
25-3-102. Repealed by Laws 1987, ch. 200, § 1. 
 
25-3-103. Discipline to be reformatory; employment of 
residents; sale of products for public use or in open market; 
disposition of proceeds. 
 
(a) The discipline in the Wyoming boys' school shall be 
reformatory. Residents of the school may be employed as a means 
of their support and reformation. 
 
(b) All articles manufactured and produced, or all 
agricultural products grown by or through the labor of residents 
of the school not required for use of the school, may be 
furnished to: 
 
(i) The state; 
 
(ii) Any public institution owned, managed or 
controlled by the state; 
 
(iii) The transportation commission for use on any 
roads or highways; 
 
(iv) The county authorities of any county. 
 
(c) The department of family services shall fix the prices 
of the articles and products which shall be paid upon 
requisition of the proper officials. The department may sell in 
the open market or any other manner any or all products grown or 
produced by residents within or without the boys' school that 
are not sold for public use. 
 
(d) All monies received by the department from the sale of 
products manufactured, produced or grown by the residents of the 
boys' school shall be deposited in the state treasury and 
credited to the general fund. 
 
25-3-104. Transfer of residents to state hospital; rules 
and regulations governing residents. 
 
(a) The department of family services may, with the 
approval of the department of health, transfer any resident who 
becomes mentally incompetent to any appropriate acute placement 
facility based on a psychiatric evaluation. 
 
(b) The department shall make all rules and regulations 
necessary and proper for: 
 
(i) Employment, discipline, instruction and education 
of residents; 
 
(ii) Mental and physical health and welfare of 
residents; 
 
(iii) Transfer and return of residents; and 
 
(iv) Work release for residents who are not subject 
to home visitation or temporary residence outside the school 
enclosure. 
 
25-3-105. Control over residents; preparation of personal 
record; rehabilitation plan and periodic reviews thereof; 
contents of record. 
 
The department of family services shall maintain control over 
all persons committed to the boys' school to prevent the persons 
from committing crime, best secure their self-support and 
accomplish their reformation. When a person is admitted to the 
school, the superintendent shall prepare a record of the 
personal history of the resident, including his age, family and 
social background, education and prior training and employment. 
Based upon all pertinent information available, the 
superintendent shall prepare an individualized rehabilitation 
plan which shall be part of the resident's record. Periodic 
reviews of the resident's progress and appropriate modifications 
of his rehabilitation plan shall be made by the superintendent 
and entered on the resident's record. The status of each 
resident shall be reported to him periodically. All orders 
affecting the resident, the circumstance of his final release 
and any new developments concerning his personal history shall 
be included in his record. 
 
25-3-106. Release of resident. 
 
After the department of family services has made a finding that 
a boy should be released from the Wyoming boys' school, it shall 
give advance notification of the pending release to the court 
which ordered commitment. Upon the boy's release the department 
shall issue him an administrative discharge. 
 
CHAPTER 4 - WYOMING GIRLS' SCHOOL 
 
25-4-101. Girls to be committed; terms; notification of 
superintendent; transportation to school. 
 
(a) Any girl who has attained the age of twelve (12) years 
and who has been ordered committed in compliance with W.S. 
14-6-229 may be committed to the Wyoming girls' school. The term 
of any girl committed shall be determined by the department of 
family services. 
 
(b) After a girl is committed to the girls' school the 
clerk of court shall notify the superintendent of the 
institution. The superintendent shall arrange for the 
transportation of the girl to the girls' school. 
 
25-4-102. Nature of program and discipline; rules and 
regulations for work release, home visitation or temporary 
residence. 
 
The program and discipline at the Wyoming girls' school shall be 
educational, vocational and rehabilitative. For these purposes 
the department of family services shall adopt rules and 
regulations for work release for residents who are not subject 
to home visitation or temporary residence outside the school 
enclosure. 
 
25-4-103. Personal record to be prepared; rehabilitation 
plan; periodic review; additional contents of record; release 
from custody. 
 
(a) When a girl is admitted to the girls' school, the 
superintendent shall prepare a record of the personal history of 
the resident, including her age, family and social background, 
education and prior training and employment. Based upon all 
pertinent information available, the superintendent shall 
prepare an individualized rehabilitation plan which shall be 
part of the resident's record. Periodic reviews of the 
resident's progress and appropriate modifications of her 
rehabilitation plan shall be made by the superintendent and 
entered on the resident's record. The status of each resident 
shall be reported to her periodically. All orders affecting the 
resident, the circumstances of her final release and any new 
developments concerning her personal history shall be included 
in her record. 
 
(b) After the department of family services has made a 
finding that a girl should be released from the girls' school, 
it shall give advance notification of the pending release to the 
court which ordered commitment. Upon the girl's release the 
department shall issue her an administrative discharge. 
 
CHAPTER 5 - LIFE RESOURCE CENTER 
 
25-5-101. Short title. 
 
This act may be cited as the "Life Resource Center Act". 
 
25-5-102. Definitions. 
 
(a) Repealed By Laws 2008, Ch. 70, § 2, Ch. 85, § 2. 
 
(b) As used in this act: 
 
(i) "Acquired brain injury" means any combination of 
focal and diffuse central nervous system dysfunction, at the 
brain stem level and above, acquired after birth through the 
interaction of any external forces and the body, oxygen 
deprivation, infection, toxicity, surgery or vascular disorders 
not associated with aging; 
 
(ii) "Active treatment" means a program which 
includes aggressive, consistent implementation of a program of 
specialized and generic training, treatment, health services and 
related services that is directed toward: 
 
(A) The acquisition of the behaviors necessary 
for the client to function with as much self determination and 
independence as possible; and 
 
(B) The prevention or deceleration of regression 
or loss of current optimal functional status. 
 
(iii) "Adaptive behavior" means the collection of 
conceptual, social and practical skills that have been learned 
by people in order to function in their everyday lives; 
 
(iv) "Administrator" means the administrator of the 
division; 
 
(v) "Assistive technology device" and "assistive 
technology service" mean as defined in 42 U.S.C. 15002; 
 
(vi) "Center" means the Wyoming life resource center 
at Lander, Wyoming; 
 
(vii) "Child" means any person under the age of 
eighteen (18); 
 
(viii) "Client" means a person who has a disability 
and has been determined eligible, pursuant to department rules 
and regulation, and is receiving services from one (1) of the 
center's programs; 
 
(ix) "Client services" means diagnosis, education, 
training and care of persons who have been admitted to the 
center; 
 
(x) "Conservator" means as defined in W.S. 
3-1-101(a)(iii); 
 
(xi) "Department" means the state department of 
health; 
 
(xii) "Director" means the director of the department 
of health; 
 
(xiii) "Disability" means a developmental disability 
as defined in 42 U.S.C. 15002 or a disability resulting from an 
acquired brain injury; 
 
(xiv) "Division" means the behavioral health division 
of the department of health; 
 
(xv) "Guardian" means as defined in W.S. 
3-1-101(a)(v); 
 
(xvi) "Guardian ad litem" means as defined in W.S. 
3-1-101(a)(vi); 
 
(xvii) "Incompetent person" means adjudicated as 
meeting the definition in W.S. 3-1-101(a)(ix); 
 
(xviii) "Individual program plan" means a written 
statement of long-term and short-term goals and strategies for 
providing specially designed services to meet each client's 
individual educational, physical, emotional and training needs; 
 
(xix) "Informed choice" means making a decision based 
on adequate information. As appropriate, such information may 
include consideration regarding providers, methods, costs, 
duration, accessibility, customer satisfaction, probabilities, 
sources and consequences; 
 
(xx) "Intellectual disability" means significantly 
subaverage general intellectual functioning with concurrent 
deficits in adaptive behavior manifested during the 
developmental period. "Intellectually disabled" means a person 
with an intellectual disability; 
 
(xxi) "Interdisciplinary team" means a group that 
represents the person, the person's family or guardian, or the 
professions, disciplines or service areas that are relevant to 
identifying the client's needs, as described in the 
comprehensive functional assessments and program design. The 
department shall provide by rule and regulation for the 
composition of interdisciplinary teams; 
 
(xxii) "Intermediate care facility for people with 
intellectual disability" means an intermediate care facility for 
individuals with intellectual disabilities (ICF/IID), as this 
phrase is used in applicable federal statutes, rules and 
regulations; 
 
(xxiii) "Least restrictive environment" means the 
program, service and location which least inhibits a person's 
freedom of movement, informed decision making and participation 
in community life while achieving the purposes of habilitation 
and treatment which best meet the needs of the person. The 
determination of least restrictive environment shall be 
individualized, based on a person's need for medical, 
therapeutic, rehabilitative and developmental services and as a 
result of informed choice of the person or, if the person is a 
minor or a ward, his parent or guardian; 
 
(xxiv) "Most appropriate" means an individualized 
determination of a person's need for medical, therapeutic, 
rehabilitative and developmental services, based upon 
professional assessment and the informed choice of the person 
or, if the person is a minor or ward, his parent or guardian; 
 
(xxv) "Most integrated" means the setting that 
enables a person with a disability to have access to the same 
opportunities as a person without a disability to the fullest 
extent possible, including opportunities to live, learn, work, 
recreate and participate in family and community activities. 
Determinations of most integrated shall be individualized and 
based upon professional assessment and the informed choice of 
the person or, if the person is a minor or ward, his parent or 
guardian; 
 
(xxvi) "Program manager" means the on-site supervisor 
and manager of the center; 
 
(xxvii) "Screening team" means a group of appropriate 
professionals, appointed by the director pursuant to rules and 
regulations of the department, and assigned by the administrator 
to perform preliminary testing and assessment of persons for 
purposes of determining eligibility for services at the center; 
 
(xxviii) "Ward" means as defined in W.S. 
3-1-101(a)(xv); 
 
(xxix) "This act" means W.S. 25 5 101 through 25 5 
135; 
 
(xxx) "Domiciliary care" means the domiciliary care 
program, as defined by applicable federal statutes, rules and 
regulations; 
 
(xxxi) "Exceptionally difficult behaviors" means a 
high level of assaultive or self-injurious behavior in a person 
with an intellectual disability or organic brain syndrome. These 
behaviors may include aggression and violent behavior, 
wandering, sexually inappropriate behavior, self-endangering 
behaviors or medication noncompliance. The level of behaviors 
shall be measured by a standardized assessment and pursuant to 
criteria established by the department under W.S. 
25-5-105(a)(i); 
 
(xxxii) "Hard to place" means a person who is: 
 
(A) Eligible for skilled nursing facility 
services pursuant to the long-term care assessment defined in 
W.S. 42-6-102(a)(vii); 
 
(B) Does not meet the criteria of paragraph 
(xxxi), (xxxiii) or (xxxiv) of this subsection; and 
 
(C) For whom no community skilled nursing 
facility service provider has been identified in the state 
within a time period defined by the department. 
 
(xxxiii) "High medical need" means a person who is: 
 
(A) Eligible for skilled nursing facility 
services pursuant to the long term care assessment defined in 
W.S. 42-6-102(a)(vii); 
 
(B) Does not meet the criteria of paragraph 
(xxxi) or (xxxiv) of this subsection; and 
 
(C) Would qualify for the extraordinary care 
nursing facility reimbursement rate, as defined by the 
department. 
 
(xxxiv) "Organic brain syndrome" means a decrease in 
mental function due to a medical disease, other than mental 
illness, as defined by the department. Organic brain syndrome 
may be the result of an acquired brain injury or the result of 
dementia caused by trauma, hypoxia, cardiovascular conditions 
including thrombotic and embolic events or degenerative, 
infectious, alcohol and drug related or metabolic disorders; 
 
(xxxv) "Skilled nursing facility services" means 
skilled nursing facility services as defined by applicable 
federal statutes, rules and regulations. 
 
25-5-103. Wyoming life resource center established; 
purpose. 
 
(a) Except as otherwise authorized by rules and 
regulations promulgated in accordance with W.S. 9-2-106(d), the 
Wyoming life resource center is established to provide the 
following residential, active treatment, assistive technology, 
medical and therapy services only to individuals for whom an 
interdisciplinary team has determined the center is the most 
appropriate, least restrictive and most integrated environment 
for delivery of the services as specified below: 
 
(i) Intermediate care facilities for people with 
intellectual disability in accordance with federal Medicare and 
Medicaid regulations; 
 
(ii) Skilled nursing facility services to the 
following: 
 
(A) Persons with organic brain syndrome who 
manifest exceptionally difficult behaviors; 
 
(B) Persons with high medical need; 
 
(C) Persons who are hard to place. 
 
(iii) Disability, therapeutic and assistive 
technology services for persons with a disability; 
 
(iv) Training for state employees, other service 
providers and caregivers on disability, medical, developmental 
and therapy services; 
 
(v) Care provided under authority of the director 
pursuant to W.S. 9-2-106(d). 
 
(b) The Wyoming life resource center may provide technical 
assistance and assistive technology outreach services to persons 
made eligible pursuant to rules adopted by the department. 
 
(c) Any person residing at the Wyoming life resource 
center on April 1, 2016 pursuant to the requirements of this 
section prior to April 1, 2016 shall have the right to remain at 
the life resource center without regard to his continued 
qualification to remain at the center under this section, 
provided the center continues to have adequate resources to 
safely care for the person. 
 
25-5-104. Administration and management of center. 
 
The administration and management of the center is vested in the 
department. 
 
25-5-105. Rules and regulations; reports. 
 
(a) The department shall adopt rules and regulations which 
are in compliance with both federal regulations for intermediate 
care facilities for persons with intellectual disability and 
federal regulations for skilled nursing facilities, and which: 
 
(i) Establish standards for admission for residential 
services and discharge of clients receiving services in all 
programs administered by the center; 
 
(ii) Establish standards for client services; 
 
(iii) Provide for the administration of the center 
under the management of the division; 
 
(iv) Prescribe professional standards for personnel 
employed at the center; 
 
(v) Implement this act; 
 
(vi) Establish data reporting processes and report 
monthly to the director the number of persons served by the 
center, identified by service category, and the services 
provided to those persons. 
 
(b) Repealed by Laws 2015, ch. 59, § 2. 
 
25-5-106. Donations for benefit of center; control and 
disposition thereof. 
 
Money, personal property or real estate donated for the benefit 
of the center shall be held, controlled and distributed by the 
department according to the conditions of the donation. If there 
are no conditions of the donation, it shall be disposed of as 
provided in W.S. 25-5-107. 
 
25-5-107. Disposition of monies received from sale of 
products or as compensation. 
 
Except as provided by W.S. 25-5-106, all monies received by the 
department for the clients in the center from the sale of 
products produced or grown by the center or as compensation from 
any source shall be deposited in the state treasury and credited 
to the general fund. 
 
25-5-108. Appointment of program manager; duties; removal. 
 
(a) The director shall appoint a program manager of the 
center. 
 
(b) The program manager shall administer the center as 
directed by the administrator. 
 
(c) The director may remove the program manager in his 
discretion. 
 
25-5-109. Inability or refusal to pay for services. 
 
(a) Repealed by Laws 1989, ch. 50, § 4. 
 
(b) Repealed by Laws 1989, ch. 50, § 4. 
 
(c) No person shall be denied admission to or services by 
the center because of the inability of the person, his parent or 
guardian to pay the cost of the services received. 
 
(d) Clients of the center who are not eligible under the 
Wyoming Medical Assistance and Services Act shall be responsible 
for the cost of services and treatment as provided in title 25, 
chapter 11, article 1. However, no person who was a client of 
the center as of June 30, 2008 shall be denied admission to or 
services by the center because of the refusal of the client's 
parent or guardian to pay the cost of the services received. 
 
25-5-110. Special education for minors and costs thereof. 
 
(a) Repealed by Laws 1986, ch. 25, § 3. 
 
(b) Repealed by Laws 1986, ch. 25, § 3. 
 
(c) Clients who are between the ages of five (5) and 
twenty-one (21) years of age shall be provided special education 
and related services through the clients' resident school 
districts. This subsection does not relieve an insurer or 
similar third party from an otherwise valid obligation to pay 
for services provided to the client. 
 
(d) Repealed by Laws 1986, ch. 25, § 3. 
 
(e) Repealed by Laws 1986, ch. 25, § 3. 
 
25-5-111. Repealed by Laws 1986, ch. 25, § 3. 
 
25-5-112. Repealed by Laws 1986, ch. 25, § 3. 
 
25-5-113. Repealed by Laws 1986, ch. 25, § 3. 
 
25-5-114. Eligibility for admission; appropriateness of 
services. 
 
(a) Except as otherwise authorized by rules and 
regulations promulgated in accordance with W.S. 9-2-106(d), a 
person shall be admitted to the center only if he is an 
individual qualifying for services under W.S. 25-5-103(a) and 
his preadmission evaluation and screening does not indicate that 
he would be more appropriately served by the Wyoming state 
hospital, a community program or a public school program. 
 
(b) Repealed By Laws 2008, Ch. 85, § 2. 
 
25-5-115. Preadmission screening for residential services; 
preparation and supervision thereof; disposition of findings. 
 
(a) Admission to the center shall be upon written 
application to the division and shall be based upon the 
preadmission screening and assessment: 
 
(i) The preadmission screening and assessment shall 
be made by a screening team under the supervision of the 
administrator or his designee, using appropriate professionals 
and screening and assessment methods as provided in department 
rules and regulations; 
 
(ii) The preadmission screening and assessment shall 
be completed not more than thirty (30) days after an application 
for admission; 
 
(iii) Repealed by Laws 2016, ch. 44, § 2. 
 
(iv) As part of the application process, division 
staff shall provide prospective clients and their families or 
guardians information about center services and similar services 
available in the client's community or elsewhere in the state. 
 
(b) Within ten (10) days of completion of the preadmission 
screening and assessment, the findings shall be given to the 
applicant. If ordered by the court, the preadmission screening 
and assessment shall also be filed with the court. 
 
25-5-116. Individual program plan; preparation and 
supervision thereof; review. 
 
Each client admitted to the center shall have on file at the 
center an individual program plan. The individual program plans 
shall be prepared by an interdisciplinary team within thirty 
(30) days of admission for residential services under the 
supervision of the program manager. The plan shall be reviewed 
by the interdisciplinary team for appropriateness and 
feasibility of discharge or transition to another level of 
service thirty (30) days after implementation of the plan, at 
the end of each quarter for the first year and annually 
thereafter. 
 
25-5-117. Admission for residential services; application 
and contents thereof; written copy of rights; appeal of denied 
admissions. 
 
(a) A person determined by the preadmission screening and 
assessment to be eligible for admission to the center for 
residential services may be admitted as a client under one (1) 
of the following procedures: 
 
(i) An adult who has sufficient insight or capacity 
to make responsible application for admission for residential 
services may be admitted on his own application; 
 
(ii) A minor or ward may be admitted upon application 
of his parent or guardian. 
 
(b) Repealed By Laws 2008, Ch. 85, § 2. 
 
(c) At the time of admission for residential services, the 
program manager shall give a written copy of the rights provided 
in W.S. 25-5-132 to the client, his parent or guardian. 
 
(d) A person who is denied admission may appeal the 
decision to the department, in writing. 
 
25-5-118. Release of voluntary client upon request; 
exceptions. 
 
(a) A voluntary client may be discharged by the 
administrator at any time within twenty (20) days of receipt of 
a written request for the release by the client, his parent or 
guardian, and the administrator shall arrange for appropriate 
transition services, except: 
 
(i) If the client was admitted on his own application 
and the request for discharge is made by a person other than the 
client, release shall be conditioned upon the client's consent; 
 
(ii) If the client is a minor or ward, his discharge 
shall be conditioned upon the consent of his parent or guardian; 
 
(iii) If the administrator has probable cause to 
believe release of the client will endanger the life, health or 
safety of the client or others and he incorporates a written 
statement of the facts supporting his belief in the client's 
file, he may apply for involuntary admission pursuant to W.S. 
25-5-119. The administrator, as a mandatory reporter, shall 
contact adult protective services for appropriate proceedings. 
 
25-5-119. Involuntary admissions; application to district 
court; representation of proposed client; preadmission 
screening; notice; hearing; independent screening; 
admissibility. 
 
(a) A person may be an involuntary client of the center if 
admitted pursuant to this section. Application for involuntary 
admission may be made by a parent, a guardian, the administrator 
or a social service agency. The application shall be filed with 
the district court in the county where the proposed client, his 
parent or his guardian resides. 
 
(b) When an application for involuntary admission is 
filed, the court shall appoint an attorney to represent the 
proposed client unless he retains counsel of his own choice. An 
attorney shall represent the proposed client at all hearings. 
The county shall compensate an appointed attorney in an amount 
fixed by the court as a reasonable fee. 
 
(c) The court shall order the center to conduct a 
preadmission screening and assessment of the proposed client. 
Notice of the order shall be served on the proposed client, his 
attorney and his parent or guardian. The order and the 
application for admission shall be served on the center and the 
department. If the preadmission screening and assessment report 
finds the center would be an appropriate placement, the court 
shall order a hearing. The proposed client shall have a right to 
seek an independent screening and assessment of his eligibility 
for admission at the state's expense. The screening and 
assessment shall be admissible as evidence at the hearing as 
provided by W.S. 25-5-121(d). 
 
25-5-120. Court order setting hearing on involuntary 
application; service of notice; waiver. 
 
(a) The court shall fix a date for hearing on the 
application. 
 
(b) The order setting the hearing shall contain: 
 
(i) The date, time and place of the hearing; 
 
(ii) The name and address of the applicant, the 
proposed client's parent or guardian, and the attorney retained 
by the proposed client or appointed by the court; 
 
(iii) The grounds alleged for the commitment of the 
proposed client; 
 
(iv) The consequences of a finding that a person 
shall be admitted to the center for client services. 
 
(c) The court shall direct the clerk of the district court 
to give notice to each person named in the order: 
 
(i) By delivering a copy of the notice to the person 
being notified personally, not less than fourteen (14) days 
before the time set for hearing unless time is shortened by the 
court for good cause shown; or 
 
(ii) By mailing a copy of the notice to the address 
of each person given in the application by certified mail, 
return receipt requested, not less than fourteen (14) days 
before the time set for hearing, unless the time is shortened by 
the court for good cause shown. 
 
(d) The court may order that notice be given to other 
persons. Notice may be waived in writing by any party except the 
proposed client's attorney. 
 
25-5-121. Rights of proposed client and notified persons; 
confidentiality of hearing; admissibility of screening reports; 
findings by court or jury; amendment of admission order. 
 
(a) The proposed client has the right to appear, to be 
heard and to participate in every stage of the hearing unless 
the court finds that it would not be in the best interests of 
the proposed client. The court shall not exclude the proposed 
client from the hearing unless the application is accompanied by 
a written statement from a licensed physician and a court 
designated examiner, appointed at the time of the application, 
who is in no other manner involved in the proceedings, that 
attendance at the hearing would injure the proposed client's 
health and well-being and describing his medical condition. 
 
(b) The proposed client is entitled, upon request, to a 
jury trial on the issue of his admission. The jury shall be 
selected pursuant to W.S. 1-11-101 through 1-11-129. 
 
(c) The court shall exclude all persons not having an 
interest in the application. Unless the court orders an open 
hearing or the proposed client requests a jury trial, the 
hearing is confidential and shall be held in closed court. 
 
(d) Any person to whom notice is required to be given by 
W.S. 25-5-120 may testify and may present and cross-examine 
witnesses. The court may receive the testimony of other persons 
in its discretion. The screening and assessment report required 
by W.S. 25-5-115, and any independent screening and assessment 
made under W.S. 25-5-119, may be admitted as evidence and shall 
not be excluded on the ground of hearsay alone. 
 
(e) If the court or jury finds that specific care, 
treatment and service alternatives are available which are more 
appropriate than the center for the proposed client, the 
application shall be denied. If the court or jury finds by clear 
and convincing evidence that admission to the center would 
provide the most appropriate services for the proposed client, 
the court shall order the admission. In case of a nonjury 
hearing, the court shall enter findings of fact with the order 
of admission. 
 
(f) The proposed client or if a minor or ward, his parents 
or guardian or the center may petition the court to amend its 
order of admission on the grounds that appropriate and necessary 
services to the proposed client are available in a less 
restrictive environment than the center. The court may amend its 
order after notice and hearing pursuant to this act. 
 
25-5-122. Appeals to supreme court; rules governing. 
 
Any person aggrieved by any order entered under this act may 
appeal to the Wyoming supreme court. The appeal shall conform 
with the rules of civil procedure. 
 
25-5-123. Repealed By Laws 2008, Ch. 85, § 2. 
 
25-5-124. Discharge of clients by administrator or by 
court; appeals to department. 
 
(a) An interdisciplinary team may recommend to the 
administrator discharge of a client with an appropriate 
transition plan from the center when placement at home, with 
another service provider or another program is appropriate for 
the client's needs and abilities. The transition plan shall 
identify any recommended discharge conditions in the client's 
best interest, including type of residence facility, supervision 
and any continuing medical, therapeutic, rehabilitative or 
developmental services. Based on the recommendations of the 
team, and with the consent of the client, or his parent or 
guardian if he is a minor or ward, the administrator shall place 
the client in the alternative setting. The administrator shall 
discharge the client when the client has been appropriately 
placed in an alternative program. If the client was admitted 
under a court order, the administrator shall petition the court, 
pursuant to W.S. 25-5-121(f). 
 
(b) If the client, or his parent or guardian if he is a 
minor or incompetent, disagrees with the decision of the 
administrator and the interdisciplinary team, the client, parent 
or guardian may appeal the decision to the director in writing. 
The department shall provide the client, parent or guardian with 
a decision in writing within thirty (30) days. 
 
25-5-125. Transfer of clients for temporary care and 
treatment; consent; costs to be paid by center; third-party 
obligations not limited. 
 
If the program manager determines it is appropriate for the 
welfare of a client, the client may be placed for temporary care 
and treatment in any public or private hospital, institution or 
residence in the state which provides services which will 
benefit the client. The transfer shall not be made without the 
consent of the client and his parents or guardian, or in the 
case of an involuntary client, without leave of the court, 
except in cases of medical emergency. During and after the 
transfer, the client remains a client of the center. The cost of 
the transfer and of the temporary treatment, care and training 
provided shall be borne by the center. This section does not 
limit the responsibility of third parties to pay for medical and 
other expenses incurred by contract or law. 
 
25-5-126. Contracts with other states for interstate 
transfer of clients; payment of expenses therefor. 
 
(a) The department may enter into contracts with other 
states to provide for: 
 
(i) The admission to facilities, schools or hospitals 
in other states of persons admitted to or entitled to admission 
for residential services in the center, when it can be shown 
that admission to a facility in another state is in the best 
interests of the person and the state of Wyoming; 
 
(ii) The admission to the center of residents of 
other states when it can be shown that admission to the center 
for residential services is in the best interests of the person 
and the state of Wyoming, and that the person's need for 
services has been determined in accordance with this act. 
 
(b) The expense of transferring persons from the center to 
other states shall be paid by the center. The expense of 
transferring persons from other states to the center shall be 
paid by the state making the transfer to the center. 
 
25-5-127. Repealed By Laws 2008, Ch. 85, § 2. 
 
25-5-128. Repealed By Laws 2008, Ch. 85, § 2. 
 
25-5-129. Admittance for temporary services; excepted 
provisions; limited duration. 
 
The administrator may admit individuals for services temporarily 
pursuant to rules promulgated under W.S. 25-5-105(a) if the 
administrator determines a less restrictive environment is 
appropriate but unavailable. A client admitted for services 
temporarily is not subject to W.S. 25-5-114, 25-5-115 and 
25-5-121(e). No individual shall be admitted temporarily for 
services for more than seventy-five (75) days. 
 
25-5-130. Consent and notice required before major 
surgery; exceptions. 
 
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, 
no client shall undergo major surgery until the superintendent: 
 
(i) Obtains the prior consent of the client, or if 
his consent cannot be given knowingly, he shall obtain the prior 
consent of the resident's parent or guardian; and 
 
(ii) Notifies the parent or guardian of the nature, 
date and place of the surgery and the name of the surgeon. A 
copy of the notice shall be placed in the patient's records. 
 
(b) Prior consent need not be obtained nor prior notice 
given when the parent or guardian cannot be located or when an 
emergency requires immediate surgery to prevent serious 
consequences or death. The parent or guardian shall be notified 
as soon as possible after emergency surgery. 
 
25-5-131. Confidentiality of records; exceptions; 
penalties for violations. 
 
(a) All records of clients, former clients and proposed 
clients of the center are confidential except as provided by 
subsection (b) of this section, when disclosure is required by 
state or federal law or when disclosure is necessary to prevent 
imminent risk of harm to the person who is the subject of the 
records or others. 
 
(b) The administrator may provide access to the records of 
a client, former client or proposed client by: 
 
(i) The person who is the subject of the records or 
his guardian, guardian ad litem or attorney; 
 
(ii) The physician or surgeon for the person who is 
the subject of the records; 
 
(iii) A person authorized by the person who is the 
subject of the records, or by his parent or guardian if he is a 
minor or ward, to evaluate the person's eligibility for 
admission to the center for residential services or to determine 
whether his residence is the most appropriate and therapeutic 
environment for the person; 
 
(iv) A court, upon a showing that access to the 
records is necessary for the determination of an issue before 
it. Access under this paragraph is limited to an in camera 
inspection unless the court finds public disclosure is 
necessary; 
 
(v) Qualified employees of the department and the 
center and professional persons while in the performance of 
their official duties; 
 
(vi) A person as required by law, including the 
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and the 
Medicaid program. 
 
(c) Repealed By Laws 2008, Ch. 85, § 2. 
 
25-5-132. No determination of incompetency; notification 
of rights; deniable rights and conditions therefor; undeniable 
rights. 
 
(a) The determination that a person is eligible for 
admission to the center is not a determination or adjudication 
that the person is incompetent. 
 
(b) Upon admission to the center for residential services, 
a client shall be informed orally and in writing of his rights 
under this section. If the client is a minor, or ward, his 
parents, guardian or guardian ad litem shall be informed orally 
and in writing of his rights under this section. 
 
(c) The following rights of a client may be denied or 
limited only as a part of his individual program plan for 
purposes of safety and health. The client or if the client is a 
minor or ward, his parents, guardian or guardian ad litem shall 
be informed in writing and orally of the grounds for the denial 
or limitation. The grounds for denial or limitation shall be 
entered in the individual program plan: 
 
(i) The right to send and receive unopened mail; 
 
(ii) The right to choose and wear his own clothing; 
 
(iii) The right to keep and use his own personal 
possessions including his toilet articles; 
 
(iv) The right to keep and spend his own money; 
 
(v) The right to be free from physical restraints and 
chemical restraints that substitute for active treatment or 
behavior modification programs, except in emergency situations 
as necessary to protect the client or others; 
 
(vi) The right to privacy in matters such as 
toileting and bathing; 
 
(vii) The right to make and receive telephone calls; 
 
(viii) The right to receive visitors daily; 
 
(ix) The right to an appropriate personal space that 
provides privacy and personal safety; 
 
(x) The right to be free from abuse; 
 
(xi) The right to vote; 
 
(xii) The right to choose where and with whom to 
live; 
 
(xiii) The right to present grievances and complaints 
or to request changes in policies and services without 
restraint, interference, coercion, discrimination or reprisal; 
 
(xiv) The right to participate or refuse to 
participate in religious worship; 
 
(xv) The right to the least restrictive environment. 
 
(d) A client may not be denied the following rights unless 
the denial is authorized by a court, the client or, if the 
client is a minor or ward, his parent or guardian: 
 
(i) The right to be free from unnecessary or 
excessive medication; 
 
(ii) The right to refuse to be subjected to 
experimental medical or psychological research without the 
express and informed consent of the client or his parent or 
guardian if he is a minor or ward. The client or his parent or 
guardian may consult with independent medical or psychological 
specialists and his attorney before consenting or refusing; 
 
(iii) The right to refuse to be subjected to drastic 
treatment procedures without the express and informed consent of 
the client and his parent or guardian if he is a minor or ward. 
 
(iv) Repealed By Laws 2008, Ch. 85, § 2. 
 
(v) Repealed By Laws 2008, Ch. 85, § 2. 
 
25-5-133. Restraint; conditions for use; strict 
administration of medication; prohibited uses. 
 
(a) Isolation or seclusion procedures in which a person is 
placed alone in a locked room or in an area from which the 
person is physically prevented from leaving are prohibited. 
Restraint of a client shall be used only when less restrictive 
measures are ineffective for the welfare of the client or others 
and only when necessary to ensure the immediate physical safety 
of the client or others. Restraint shall be used in a manner 
which ensures that the dignity and safety of the person 
restrained are protected and shall be regularly monitored by 
trained staff. The reason for restrictive measures shall be 
reported in the client's records and shall be reviewed by the 
interdisciplinary team and program manager. In addition, the 
client's individual program plan shall address active treatment 
or less restrictive measures to manage or eliminate the 
behaviors for which restraint was used. 
 
(b) Medication shall be administered to a client only 
pursuant to the order of a medical professional acting within 
the scope of his license. A record of the medication, the dosage 
administered, the date and the person administering the 
medication to each client shall be kept in each client's 
treatment record. Medication shall not be used as punishment, 
for the convenience of staff or in quantities that interfere 
with a client's treatment program. 
 
25-5-134. Employment of clients within institution; wages; 
duties; discharge for cause. 
 
Clients who are employed within the center shall be paid a 
reasonable wage based upon commensurate wages under special 
certificate as authorized by the federal Fair Labor Standards 
Act at 21 U.S.C. 214(c). The program manager shall prescribe for 
each position a written job description with wages, benefits and 
job duties clearly defined. The employment relationship 
pursuant to this section shall be at will. 
 
25-5-135. Medications aides. 
 
Any person trained and qualified as a medication aide may 
administer medications in basic client care situations at the 
center. The center shall develop curricula, certification 
criteria and protocols concerning administration of medications 
and use of medication aides. Every medication aide shall perform 
the duties authorized under this section under the direction of 
a person licensed by the laws of this state to administer 
medications. The direction of medication aides shall not 
constitute an unlawful delegation of professional duties by the 
licensed nurse or other professional licensed to administer 
medications. 
 
CHAPTER 6 - GIFTS FOR THE BLIND 
 
25-6-101. Authority of state to receive property; 
maintenance; sale and investment of proceeds. 
 
(a) The state may receive gifts, devises, bequests, deeds 
and other conveyances of property of any kind for the benefit of 
the blind citizens of Wyoming. 
 
(b) The property received shall be cared for and may be 
sold and the proceeds invested for the benefit of the visually 
handicapped citizens of Wyoming. The state department of 
education shall act for the state as the custodian of all 
property received under this section and shall promulgate rules 
and regulations for the administration of the property and all 
proceeds for the benefit of the visually handicapped citizens of 
Wyoming. 
 
CHAPTER 7 - WYOMING YOUTH TREATMENT CENTER 
 
25-7-101. Repealed By Laws 1998, ch. 7, § 2. 
 
25-7-102. Repealed by Laws 1986, ch. 25, § 3. 
 
CHAPTER 8 - WYOMING PIONEER HOME AND 
WYOMING RETIREMENT CENTER 
 
25-8-101. Purpose. 
 
Except as otherwise authorized by rules and regulations 
promulgated in accordance with W.S. 9-2-106(d), the purpose of 
the pioneer home and the Wyoming retirement center is to provide 
a place for the care and maintenance of residents of this state 
who are afflicted with the infirmities of old age. 
 
25-8-102. Powers and duties of department of health. 
 
(a) The department of health may: 
 
(i) Construct, maintain, equip, operate and manage 
the pioneer home and the Wyoming retirement center; 
 
(ii) Purchase, rent or otherwise provide the 
equipment, materials or supplies necessary to carry out the 
purposes hereof; 
 
(iii) Dispose of equipment, materials and supplies no 
longer required in the operations of the pioneer home or the 
Wyoming retirement center; 
 
(iv) Adopt rules and regulations for the admission, 
conduct and discharge of residents; 
 
(v) Accept gifts on behalf of the state for the use 
of the pioneer home and the Wyoming retirement center; 
 
(vi) Provide medical care for residents of the 
Wyoming retirement center. 
 
25-8-103. Conditions for admission; charges for care. 
 
Admission to the pioneer home and the Wyoming retirement center 
shall be voluntary and only upon prior approval by the 
department of health. Indigent aged persons may be cared for 
without charge. Nonindigent aged persons may be cared for under 
terms and conditions fixed by the department pursuant to W.S. 
25-11-101 through 25-11-108. 
 
25-8-104. Receipt and disposition of revenues and gifts. 
 
(a) All revenues received from the operation of the 
pioneer home and from gifts given for the general purpose of the 
pioneer home shall be paid over to the state treasurer and 
deposited in the general fund. Gifts given for a specific 
purpose shall be kept in a separate account to be expended by 
the department of health for the specific purpose. 
 
(b) The department shall deposit all funds received, 
collected by or donated to the Wyoming retirement center for 
care of patients into the special revenue fund. The funds 
collected are appropriated to the department and shall only be 
expended to fund the operation of the Wyoming retirement center 
and shall be disbursed pursuant to W.S. 9-4-304. 
 
CHAPTER 9 - VETERANS' HOME OF WYOMING 
 
25-9-101. Purpose; admission of veterans and veterans' 
dependents. 
 
(a) Except as otherwise authorized by rules and 
regulations promulgated in accordance with W.S. 9-2-106(d), the 
veterans' home of Wyoming shall provide domiciliary level care 
and, if appropriate facilities are completed, may provide 
skilled nursing facility level care to: 
 
(i) Honorably discharged veterans of the armed forces 
of the United States; and 
 
(ii) Members of the state national guard disabled 
while on duty. 
 
(b) Persons qualifying under subsection (a) of this 
section shall also be persons who: 
 
(i) By reason of wounds, disease, old age or other 
infirmities are unable to earn their living and have no adequate 
means of support; and 
 
(ii) Have been domiciled in this state for at least 
five (5) years next preceding their application for admission to 
the home. 
 
(c) The department of health may admit dependents of 
soldiers, sailors or disabled members of the national guard, if 
it deems admission proper. 
 
(d) There is created an account for use by the veterans' 
home of Wyoming for the general benefit of residents of the 
veterans' home. Profits from the sale of commodities at the 
veterans' home canteen after provision for increased inventories 
and servicing of the canteen facility and the interest earned 
from those profits shall be transferred to the account created 
by this subsection and are continuously appropriated to the 
department of health to be expended solely for the benefit of 
the veterans' home. 
 
25-9-102. When nonveterans permitted admission; preference 
to veterans and veterans' dependents. 
 
(a) The department of health may admit persons who are not 
veterans or dependents of veterans for care and treatment at the 
veterans' home of Wyoming if: 
 
(i) The home is not filled to ninety percent (90%) of 
capacity and there are pending no applications of veterans or 
veterans' dependents; 
 
(ii) The applicants are unable to earn their living 
and have no adequate means of support because of disease, old 
age or other infirmities; 
 
(iii) The applicants have been domiciled in this 
state for at least five (5) years next preceding their 
application for admission to the home; 
 
(iv) The persons are admitted pursuant to rules and 
regulations promulgated in accordance with W.S. 9-2-106(d). 
 
(b) In all cases veterans and dependents of veterans shall 
be given preference of admission. 
 
25-9-103. Acceptance of donations. 
 
The department of health on behalf of the state may accept 
donations of lands, money or other property. 
 
25-9-104. Medical care of residents; burial of deceased 
residents. 
 
(a) The department of health shall: 
 
(i) Furnish medical care for all residents of the 
home; 
 
(ii) Provide a place of burial; and 
 
(iii) Bury deceased residents. 
 
25-9-105. Disposition of monies received from national 
home for disabled volunteer soldiers. 
 
Money received from the board of managers of the national home 
for disabled volunteer soldiers shall be deposited in a separate 
account. The money shall be expended by the department of health 
for the veterans' home of Wyoming. 
 
25-9-106. Chaplain; appointment; term; duties. 
 
The department of health may appoint a chaplain of the veterans' 
home of Wyoming who shall hold his office for a period of one 
(1) year from date of his appointment unless removed for cause. 
He shall have charge of the moral and intellectual welfare of 
the residents of the home. He shall visit the home at least 
twice a month and provide services therein as he desires. 
 
CHAPTER 10 - HOSPITALIZATION OF MENTALLY ILL PERSONS 
 
ARTICLE 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS 
 
25-10-101. Definitions. 
 
(a) As used in this act: 
 
(i) "Court" means the district court which ordered 
detention, directed outpatient commitment or involuntary 
hospitalization of the person pursuant to this act, or the 
district court in the county where the person resides, is found 
or is hospitalized; 
 
(ii) "Dangerous to himself or others" means that, as 
a result of mental illness, a person: 
 
(A) Evidences a substantial probability of 
physical harm to himself as manifested by evidence of recent 
threats of or attempts at suicide or serious bodily harm; or 
 
(B) Evidences a substantial probability of 
physical harm to other individuals as manifested by a recent 
overt homicidal act, attempt or threat or other violent act, 
attempt or threat which places others in reasonable fear of 
serious physical harm to them; or 
 
(C) Evidences behavior manifested by recent acts 
or omissions that, due to mental illness, he is unable to 
satisfy basic needs for nourishment, essential medical care, 
shelter or safety so that a substantial probability exists that 
death, serious physical injury, serious physical debilitation, 
serious mental debilitation, destabilization from lack of or 
refusal to take prescribed psychotropic medications for a 
diagnosed condition or serious physical disease will imminently 
ensue, unless the individual receives prompt and adequate 
treatment for this mental illness. No person, however, shall be 
deemed to be unable to satisfy his need for nourishment, 
essential medical care, shelter or safety if he is able to 
satisfy those needs with the supervision and assistance of 
others who are willing and available; 
 
(D) While this definition requires evidence of 
recent acts or omissions of endangerment, either to self or 
others, a court may consider a person's mental health history in 
determining whether directed outpatient commitment or 
involuntary hospitalization is warranted. 
 
(iii) "Department" means the state department of 
health; 
 
(iv) "Examiner" means a licensed psychiatrist, a 
licensed physician, a licensed advanced practice registered 
nurse, a licensed physician assistant, a licensed psychologist, 
a licensed professional counselor, a licensed addictions 
therapist, a licensed clinical social worker or a licensed 
marriage and family therapist; 
 
(v) "Head of hospital" means the individual in charge 
of a hospital or his designee. When this act requires or 
authorizes the head of a hospital to perform an act which 
involves the practice of medicine, the act shall be performed by 
a physician; 
 
(vi) "Hospital" means a facility designated pursuant 
to W.S. 25-10-104 or the state hospital; 
 
(vii) "Mental health center" means a behavioral 
health center as defined by W.S. 35-1-613(a)(xvi), other 
provider under W.S. 35-1-611 through 35-1-627 or an equivalently 
staffed and equipped student health service; 
 
(viii) Repealed By Laws 1999, ch. 172, § 3. 
 
(ix) "Mental illness" and "mentally ill" mean a 
physical, emotional, mental or behavioral disorder which causes 
a person to be dangerous to himself or others and which requires 
treatment, but do not include addiction to drugs or alcohol, 
drug or alcohol intoxication or developmental disabilities; 
 
(x) "Patient" means an individual receiving treatment 
pursuant to this act; 
 
(xi) "Physician" means an individual licensed under 
the laws of this state to practice medicine, or a physician in 
the service of the United States government while in this state 
in the performance of his official duties; 
 
(xii) "State hospital" means the Wyoming state 
hospital at Evanston, Wyoming; 
 
(xiii) "Treatment" means diagnosis, evaluation, 
intervention, which may include psychiatric medication, 
individual and group mental health counseling, illness 
management diversion services such as immediate linkages to 
mental health services in the community and discharge planning. 
Treatment shall begin at the time of detention, if the person 
knowingly and voluntarily consents, and shall continue 
throughout involuntary hospitalization or directed outpatient 
commitment. Treatment may be given without the consent of the 
detained person or his parent or guardian when treatment is 
limited to diagnosis or evaluation or when treatment is 
necessary to prevent immediate and serious physical harm to the 
person or others. "Treatment" does not include observation or 
supervision; 
 
(xiv) "Treatment center" or "treatment provider" 
means as defined by department rule; 
 
(xv) "Resident" means a United States citizen who has 
been a resident of and domiciled in Wyoming for not less than 
ninety (90) days and who has not claimed residency elsewhere for 
the purpose of obtaining medical or psychiatric services during 
that ninety (90) day period immediately preceding the date when 
services under this act were sought or imposed. "Resident" also 
includes any alien who has resided continuously in Wyoming for 
at least ninety (90) days immediately prior to the date when 
services under this act were sought or imposed. "Resident" also 
includes any active duty member, the spouse or minor child of 
any active duty member of the armed forces of the United States 
who is stationed in Wyoming; 
 
(xvi) "Gatekeeper" means the single point of 
responsibility which may be designated by the department 
pursuant to W.S. 25-10-112(g); 
 
(xvii) "This act" means W.S. 25-10-101 through 
25-10-305. 
 
25-10-102. Admittees subject to rules and regulations of 
department. 
 
All persons admitted to the state hospital shall be subject to 
the rules and regulations of the department. 
 
25-10-103. Admission of persons with mental illness to 
hospital or treatment center. 
 
Subject to the rules and regulations of the department, a 
hospital or any other treatment provider providing treatment 
under this act may admit persons who have symptoms of mental 
illness for treatment in their hospital or treatment center. 
 
25-10-104. Duties of department of health as to hospitals 
other than state hospital. 
 
(a) The department, with respect to hospitals or other 
treatment providers other than the state hospital, shall: 
 
(i) Adopt standards for the designation of hospitals 
or other licensed treatment providers as qualified to accept 
patients and provide treatment under this act; 
 
(ii) Designate hospitals or other treatment providers 
which qualify to provide services under this act; 
 
(iii) Enter into contracts or agreements with 
designated hospitals or other treatment providers for the 
treatment of patients with mental illness; 
 
(iv) Require information from designated hospitals 
and other treatment providers concerning the services rendered 
to patients under the provisions of this act; 
 
(v) Repealed by Laws 2016, ch. 102, § 3. 
 
(vi) Investigate complaints made by or on behalf of 
patients with mental illness; and 
 
(vii) Promulgate rules and regulations for the 
administration of this act, including rules regarding 
reimbursement under W.S. 25-10-112. 
 
25-10-105. Duties of department of health as to state 
hospital. 
 
(a) The department shall: 
 
(i) Adopt standards governing the state hospital; 
 
(ii) Visit the state hospital to review methods of 
treatment of patients; and 
 
(iii) Investigate complaints made by or on behalf of 
state hospital patients. 
 
25-10-106. Voluntary applications for admission. 
 
(a) The head of a hospital may admit for treatment any 
adult who has symptoms of mental illness but who has sufficient 
insight or capacity to make responsible, voluntary application 
for admission and who applies for admission. 
 
(b) A person who has symptoms of mental illness but 
because of minority or incompetency is not capable of making a 
responsible, voluntary application for admission may be admitted 
for treatment upon application by a parent or guardian if the 
application: 
 
(i) Is accompanied by a statement of an examiner that 
the person is mentally ill; and 
 
(ii) An examiner at the hospital, based on a personal 
interview, determines that the person is mentally ill. 
 
25-10-107. When voluntary patients shall be discharged. 
 
The head of a hospital shall discharge any patient admitted 
pursuant to W.S. 25-10-106(a) or (b) who no longer needs 
hospital treatment. 
 
25-10-108. Release upon request; exceptions; discharge 
plan. 
 
(a) A patient admitted pursuant to W.S. 25-10-106 who 
requests his release in writing or whose release is requested in 
writing by the person responsible for his care or custody, shall 
be released within twenty-four (24) hours after receipt of the 
request except: 
 
(i) If the patient was admitted on his own 
application and the request for release is made by a person 
other than the patient, release may be conditioned upon the 
consent of the patient; or 
 
(ii) If the patient is a minor or incompetent, his 
release may be conditioned upon the consent of his parent or 
guardian. 
 
(b) The hospital shall prepare a discharge plan in 
accordance with policies, rules and regulations of the 
department. 
 
25-10-109. Emergency detention. 
 
(a) A person may be detained when: 
 
(i) A law enforcement officer or examiner has 
reasonable cause to believe a person is mentally ill pursuant to 
W.S. 25-10-101; 
 
(ii) A court has entered an ex parte order for 
immediate detention of a person pursuant to W.S. 25-10-110.1(h); 
 
(iii) A hospital revokes convalescent status release 
of a person pursuant to W.S. 25-10-127(b) based on a previous or 
current determination of mental illness. 
 
(b) Immediately after detaining the person, the officer 
shall contact an examiner. A preliminary examination of the 
person shall be conducted by an examiner within twenty-four (24) 
hours after the detention. If a preliminary examination is not 
conducted within twenty-four (24) hours the detained person 
shall be released. If the person is detained following the 
preliminary examination, an examiner shall reexamine the person 
not less than every forty-eight (48) hours until the hearing 
under subsections (h) through (k) of this section. If the 
examiner giving the preliminary examination, or any 
reexamination as required by this subsection, finds that the 
person: 
 
(i) Is not mentally ill, the person shall be released 
immediately; 
 
(ii) Was mentally ill, but is no longer dangerous to 
himself or others, the examiner shall, with patient consent, 
arrange follow up mental health care and the person shall be 
released immediately; or 
 
(iii) Is mentally ill, the person may be detained 
for seventy-two (72) hours excluding Saturdays, Sundays and 
legal holidays. 
 
(c) No person shall be detained for more than seventy-two 
(72) hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, 
without a hearing under subsections (h) through (k) of this 
section. 
 
(d) A person taken into custody under this section may be 
detained in a hospital or other care setting which is 
appropriate under the circumstances and which complies with 
subsection (n) of this section. The person shall not be detained 
in a nonmedical facility used for detention of persons charged 
with or convicted of penal offenses except in extreme emergency 
or if there are no other reasonable alternatives. The law 
enforcement officer or examiner who detained the person shall 
immediately notify the person responsible for the care and 
custody of the detained person, if known, of the time and place 
of detention. 
 
(e) The law enforcement officer or examiner who initially 
detained the person shall make a written statement of the facts 
of the emergency detention. A copy of the statement shall be 
given to the detained person, his parent or guardian, to any 
attorney representing the person, to the county attorney in the 
county where the person is detained, to any gatekeeper 
designated by the department and to any subsequent examiner. 
 
(f) When a person is detained under emergency 
circumstances, treatment may be given during the emergency 
detention period if the person voluntarily and knowingly 
consents. The parent or guardian of a minor or incompetent 
person may consent to treatment. If the parent or guardian of a 
minor patient does not consent to treatment, a petition may be 
filed under the Child Protection Act. Treatment may be given 
without the consent of the detained person or his parent or 
guardian when treatment is limited to diagnosis or evaluation or 
when treatment is necessary to prevent immediate and serious 
physical harm to the person or others. Prior to treatment, the 
person shall be fully advised of the scope of treatment, and a 
report of the treatment shall be provided to the county 
attorney, to any gatekeeper designated by the department and 
shall be filed with the court if continued detention is sought, 
or if directed outpatient commitment or involuntary 
hospitalization proceedings are commenced. An examiner or a 
physician who provides treatment in good faith pursuant to this 
subsection shall be immune from civil liability for the 
treatment except there shall be no immunity from liability for 
negligent acts or deliberate misconduct. 
 
(g) At the time of emergency detention the person shall be 
informed orally and in writing of his right to contact his 
family and an attorney, of his right to appointed counsel if he 
is indigent, of his right to remain silent and that his 
statements may be used as a basis for continued detention, 
directed outpatient commitment or involuntary hospitalization. 
 
(h) When a person is detained in emergency detention and 
continued detention is sought, or an application for directed 
outpatient commitment or involuntary hospitalization is filed by 
the county attorney, the court shall appoint an attorney to 
represent the detained person unless he has his own attorney. 
The court shall conduct a hearing within seventy-two (72) hours, 
excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, of the initial 
detention to determine whether continued detention is required 
pending directed outpatient commitment or involuntary 
hospitalization proceedings. The county attorney of the county 
where the application is filed shall appear on behalf of the 
state at the hearing. Any gatekeeper designated by the 
department pursuant to W.S. 25-10-112(g) shall appear at the 
hearing and provide testimony concerning continued detention 
and, if applicable, the issues outlined in subsection (m) of 
this section. Notice of the preliminary hearing shall be given 
to the county attorney, any gatekeeper designated by the 
department, the detained person and his parent, guardian and 
attorney. The court may delay the hearing only at the request of 
the detained person or his parent, guardian or his attorney. 
The hearing for continued detention may be waived at the request 
of the detained person or the detained person's parent, guardian 
or attorney. If a hearing for continued detention has been 
waived, the court may immediately conduct the directed 
outpatient commitment or involuntary hospitalization hearing. 
 
(j) At the hearing the court shall advise the detained 
person and his parent, guardian or attorney of the contents of 
the written statement of emergency detention required in 
subsection (e) of this section and the application for directed 
outpatient commitment or involuntary hospitalization. 
 
(k) The standard of proof in an emergency detention 
hearing shall be by a preponderance of the evidence. If the 
court finds at an emergency detention hearing that: 
 
(i) The person is not mentally ill, the court shall 
order the person released; 
 
(ii) The person is mentally ill and has applied for 
and received voluntary admission, the court may dismiss the 
proceedings; or 
 
(iii) The person is mentally ill, it shall order 
continued detention of the person for not more than ten (10) 
days. The court may extend the detention period at the request 
of the proposed patient or his attorney. 
 
(m) If the court finds the person is mentally ill pursuant 
to paragraph (k)(iii) of this section, the court shall make 
findings as to the person's competence to make informed choices 
regarding treatment and the person's need for prescribed 
psychotropic medication. If the court finds the person 
incompetent to make an informed decision, the court may order 
the administration of prescribed psychotropic medication for the 
period of the emergency detention for restabilization of the 
person's mental health. 
 
(n) Treatment provided as a result of an emergency or 
continued detention pursuant to this section shall be provided 
in the least restrictive and most therapeutic setting available 
with consideration given to requests of the detained person, his 
parent, guardian or attorney, and recommendations of any 
gatekeeper. Treatment may include the treatment options 
outlined in W.S. 25-10-110.1(d). 
 
25-10-110. Involuntary hospitalization proceedings. 
 
(a) Proceedings for the involuntary hospitalization of a 
person may be commenced by the filing of a written application 
with the court in the county in which the person is initially 
detained. Proceedings may also be initiated in the county in 
which there is a designated hospital if there is a written 
agreement executed by the county in which the person resides and 
the designated hospital stating that the county in which the 
person resides will be responsible for costs of treatment under 
W.S. 25-10-112(e) that are not covered by the state. The 
application shall be accompanied by either: 
 
(i) A certificate of an examiner stating: 
 
(A) That he has examined the proposed patient 
not more than fifteen (15) days prior to the date that the 
application was filed under this subsection; 
 
(B) His findings and the proposed patient's 
history; and 
 
(C) His opinion that the proposed patient is 
mentally ill; or 
 
(ii) A written statement by the applicant and by an 
examiner that the proposed patient has refused to submit to 
examination by an examiner, together with a statement of the 
facts and circumstances supporting the application. 
 
(b) Unless the proposed patient is represented by counsel, 
the court shall appoint an attorney to represent him. 
 
(c) Proceedings under this section shall be entitled "In 
the Interest of ....". The county attorney of the county where 
the application is filed shall appear in the public interest. 
The court shall expedite the proceedings. 
 
(d) Upon receipt of an application, the court shall issue 
notice thereof to the proposed patient, the person responsible 
for the care or custody of the proposed patient, any gatekeeper 
designated by the department and other persons designated by the 
court. The notice shall be served as provided by the Wyoming 
Rules of Civil Procedure. The notice shall apprise the proposed 
patient: 
 
(i) Of the purpose of the proceeding; 
 
(ii) Of the identity of the appointed examiner, and 
his authority to conduct an examination; 
 
(iii) Of his right to counsel, the identity of 
counsel appointed by the court to represent him and his right to 
counsel of his own selection; 
 
(iv) Of the requirements for an involuntary 
hospitalization order under subsection (j) of this section; 
 
(v) Of the basis for the proposed hospitalization, 
including a detailed statement of the facts and supporting 
testimony; 
 
(vi) That a hearing will be held if warranted by the 
report of the examination of the proposed patient; and 
 
(vii) Of the identity of any gatekeeper designated by 
the department pursuant to W.S. 25-10-112(g). 
 
(e) The court shall appoint one (1) or more examiners to 
examine the proposed patient and to make a written report to the 
court of the findings as to the history and mental illness of 
the proposed patient. The court may order the proposed patient 
to appear for examination and if the proposed patient does not 
appear the court may compel his appearance. The examination 
shall be held at a hospital, a medical facility, the home of the 
proposed patient or any other suitable place which will not have 
a harmful effect on the patient's health. The examination shall 
be conducted no later than seven (7) days from the date of the 
notice. If the examination is conducted by an examiner other 
than a licensed physician, a licensed psychiatrist, a licensed 
advanced practice registered nurse, a licensed physician 
assistant or a licensed psychologist, the court shall appoint 
one (1) of the following persons, a licensed physician, a 
licensed psychiatrist, a licensed psychiatric-mental health 
nurse practitioner, a licensed physician assistant with 
documented education, training and experience in psychiatric or 
mental health assessment and diagnosis or a licensed 
psychologist to review the findings of the examiner and conduct 
a further examination, if indicated, and to report to the court. 
 
(f) If the examiner reports the proposed patient is not 
mentally ill, the court shall terminate the proceedings. If the 
examiner reports the proposed patient is mentally ill, the court 
shall fix a date for and give notice of a hearing to be held as 
soon as possible. The notice shall satisfy the requirements of 
paragraphs (d)(i) through (vii) of this section. 
 
(g) Within five (5) days of receipt of the notice of 
hearing, the proposed patient or his counsel may request a 
hearing before a jury. If upon the basis of the appointed 
examiner's report or from other information available to the 
court, the court concludes that the proposed patient does not 
understand his rights, the court may call a jury upon its own 
motion or upon the request of the person responsible for the 
care and custody of the proposed patient. A jury shall be 
selected pursuant to W.S. 1-11-101 through 1-11-129, and the 
proceedings shall follow the Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure. 
 
(h) The proposed patient, the applicant, and all others to 
whom notice is required may appear at the hearing to testify and 
may present witnesses. The court shall consider the testimony of 
any gatekeeper designated by the department and may receive the 
testimony of other persons. The proposed patient shall be 
present at the hearing unless he waives his right to appear. All 
persons not necessary to protect the rights of the parties shall 
be excluded from the hearing. The hearing shall be conducted in 
as informal a manner as is consistent with orderly procedure and 
in a physical setting which will not have a harmful effect on 
the mental health of the proposed patient. Any hearing conducted 
under this subsection shall be recorded by the court reporter or 
by electronic, mechanical or other appropriate means. 
 
(j) If, upon completion of the hearing and consideration 
of the record, the court or the jury finds by clear and 
convincing evidence that the proposed patient is mentally ill 
the court shall consider the least restrictive and most 
therapeutic alternatives, give consideration to any 
recommendations by the gatekeeper and shall: 
 
(i) Order his hospitalization, assign him to a 
hospital, and: 
 
(A) Send to the hospital, with the patient a 
certified copy of the findings of fact and order and a copy of 
the examiner's report; 
 
(B) Specify where he will be detained pending 
transportation to the hospital. No person shall be detained in a 
nonmedical facility used for detention of persons charged with 
or convicted of penal offenses except during an extreme 
emergency; 
 
(C) Order his transportation to the hospital 
with proper clothing and personal effects; 
 
(D) Notify his next of kin or the person 
responsible for his care and custody and the proposed treatment 
provider or hospital of the court's order; 
 
(E) Make findings as to his competence to make 
informed choices regarding treatment and his need for prescribed 
psychotropic medication. If the court finds the person 
incompetent to make an informed decision, the court may order 
the administration of prescribed psychotropic medication. The 
order for medication shall be reviewed by a physician upon 
commitment and by a psychiatrist upon admission to the hospital. 
The prescribed medication shall be continued if found medically 
appropriate by the investigation review committee of the 
hospital or institution, subject to review by the medical 
director of the hospital or institution. Any action by the 
medical director of the hospital or institution shall be 
reviewable pursuant to the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act. 
All orders for prescribed medication or a summary of all orders 
shall be provided to the gatekeeper designated by the department 
under W.S. 25-10-112(g). 
 
(ii) Repealed by Laws 2016, ch. 102, § 3. 
 
(iii) Order the proposed patient be treated in a 
directed outpatient commitment pursuant to W.S. 25-10-110.1 if 
the court finds continuous inpatient hospitalization is not 
required and the proposed patient would be more appropriately 
treated in a directed outpatient commitment; or 
 
(iv) Order any disposition for which private 
resources are available and which is consistent with the best 
interests of the proposed patient and with public safety. 
 
(k) The court is authorized to appoint a special 
commissioner to assist in the conduct of hospitalization 
proceedings. In proceedings under this act, regularly appointed 
court commissioners may exercise the authority granted by W.S. 
5-3-307. In any case in which the court refers an application to 
the commissioner, the commissioner shall conduct the directed 
outpatient commitment under W.S. 25-10-110.1 or the involuntary 
hospitalization proceedings under this section and on the basis 
thereof shall either recommend dismissal of the application or 
hold a hearing as provided in this section and make 
recommendations to the court regarding the disposition of the 
proposed patient and of the proceedings. 
 
(m) An appointed examiner shall receive for his services 
in each court ordered examination a reasonable fee fixed by the 
court. 
 
(n) The court shall inquire into the medical condition of 
every patient found to be mentally ill. If the court determines 
based upon the advice of a physician or other qualified 
professional, and in consultation with any gatekeeper designated 
by the department pursuant to W.S. 25-10-112(g), that the 
patient's present primary need is for medical treatment or care 
and whose need for psychiatric care is secondary, the court may 
delay ordering directed outpatient commitment or involuntary 
hospitalization of the patient until such time as the patient 
receives medical care and the patient's need for psychiatric 
care is primary. 
 
(o) In proceedings under this section involving a minor, 
the court shall, to the extent feasible, consult with the 
minor's parents or legal guardian. 
 
25-10-110.1. Directed outpatient commitment proceedings. 
 
(a) If the court finds based upon the recommendation of an 
examiner or on its own determination that the proposed patient 
is mentally ill but does not require inpatient hospitalization, 
the court shall consider issuing a directed outpatient 
commitment order. The court shall require directed outpatient 
commitment for the proposed patient for a period of time as 
determined appropriate by the court, not to exceed two (2) years 
with review by the court at least every six (6) months. The 
court may designate an outpatient care provider that will 
provide care to the proposed patient. 
 
(b) In considering whether directed outpatient commitment 
is appropriate, the court may consider one (1) or more of the 
following: 
 
(i) The proposed patient is diagnosed as having a 
mental illness; 
 
(ii) Without directed outpatient treatment, the 
proposed patient is likely to be dangerous to himself or others 
based upon noncompliance with prior medical directives; 
 
(iii) The proposed patient is likely to suffer 
substantial medical or mental deterioration or become seriously 
disabled; 
 
(iv) The proposed patient lacks present ability to 
make an informed decision concerning his need for treatment; or 
 
(v) Any other information concerning the proposed 
patient's need for outpatient care. 
 
(c) The terms and conditions of the treatment plan shall 
be established by an examiner in consultation with any 
gatekeeper designated by the department and approved by the 
court. In preparing the plan, the examiner shall consult with 
the county attorney, treating health care providers and the 
patient or the person responsible for the care and custody of 
the patient, if known. 
 
(d) The treatment plan may require: 
 
(i) Periodic reporting; 
 
(ii) Continuation of medication and submission to 
testing; 
 
(iii) Restrictions on travel; 
 
(iv) Restrictions on consumption of alcoholic 
beverages and drugs with requirements for any necessary testing; 
 
(v) Use of community based group homes, crisis 
assistance centers or other available community based support 
services; 
 
(vi) Temporary inpatient or residential treatment for 
stabilization; 
 
(vii) Other conditions as agreed upon by the 
respective parties or as otherwise directed by the court. 
 
(e) Treatment shall be provided by a treatment center or a 
court approved treatment provider. 
 
(f) The treatment center or treatment provider or any 
other person identified in the treatment plan shall report to 
the county attorney and any gatekeeper designated by the 
department any material noncompliance by the patient with the 
treatment plan. 
 
(g) By motion of an interested party or on its own motion, 
the court may revoke or modify the directed outpatient 
commitment if, after a hearing, the court finds by a 
preponderance of evidence that the patient violated any 
condition of the directed outpatient commitment order. If there 
has been a violation of the order, the court may modify the 
conditions of directed outpatient commitment, schedule an 
involuntary commitment hearing pursuant to W.S. 25-10-110, order 
any disposition for which private resources are available or 
order any disposition which is consistent with the best 
interests of the proposed patient and public safety. 
 
(h) If a motion has been filed to modify or revoke the 
directed outpatient commitment, the court may enter an ex parte 
order for immediate detention of the patient if the court finds 
that the patient is a danger to himself or others. If the court 
enters an ex parte order of detention, the matter shall be set 
for hearing within seventy-two (72) hours. Notice of a hearing 
on a motion to modify or revoke the order for directed 
outpatient commitment shall be as provided in W.S. 25-10-110(d). 
 
(j) The county attorney of the county where the directed 
outpatient commitment order is filed shall appear on behalf of 
the state at any hearing pursuant to this section. 
 
25-10-111. Commitment or transfer to federal hospital; 
effect of orders by courts of other jurisdictions; powers of 
federal facility. 
 
(a) The court, when ordering involuntary hospitalization 
pursuant to W.S. 25-10-110(j), may order a person hospitalized 
in a hospital or facility operated by the veterans' 
administration or another federal agency, if the court has 
received a certificate from the agency showing that facilities 
are available and that the patient is eligible for treatment 
therein. 
 
(b) An order of a court of competent jurisdiction of 
another state or of the District of Columbia, authorizing 
hospitalization of a person by an agency of the United States, 
has the same force and effect as to the person while in this 
state as in the jurisdiction in which the order was made. 
 
(c) Upon receipt of a certificate from the veterans' 
administration or another federal agency that facilities are 
available for treatment of a patient involuntarily hospitalized 
under W.S. 25-10-110 and that the patient is eligible for 
treatment therein, the head of a hospital may transfer the 
patient to the veterans' administration or other federal agency 
for treatment. The court which ordered involuntary 
hospitalization shall be notified of the transfer by the 
hospital. No person shall be transferred if he is confined 
pursuant to a conviction for a crime or if he has been acquitted 
of a criminal charge solely on the ground of mental illness or 
deficiency, unless, prior to the transfer, the court which 
committed the person enters an order for the transfer after 
appropriate motion and hearing. 
 
(d) Upon admission to a federal facility pursuant to this 
section, the patient is subject to the rules and regulations of 
the veterans' administration or other federal agency. The chief 
officer of the federal facility in which the patient is 
hospitalized has the same powers as the head of the state 
hospital with respect to retention, transfer, release and 
discharge of patients. 
 
25-10-112. Liability for costs of detention, involuntary 
hospitalization and proceedings therefor. 
 
(a) Subject to the provisions of subsections (d) and (e) 
of this section, the county in which a person is detained or in 
which involuntary hospitalization proceedings are brought shall 
pay the costs of: 
 
(i) The first seventy-two (72) hours of detention, in 
addition to any Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday that falls 
within the seventy-two (72) hours, pursuant to W.S. 25-10-109, 
including costs of medical treatment for those conditions: 
 
(A) That resulted in the emergency detention of 
the person; or 
 
(B) That are attributable to affirmative actions 
taken by the person that have placed the person in danger of 
suicide or serious bodily harm and require immediate medical 
attention. 
 
(ii) Proceedings for detention or involuntary 
hospitalization pursuant to W.S. 25-10-109 or 25-10-110. The 
costs of these proceedings include the cost of appointed counsel 
and examiners; 
 
(iii) Clothing, if the person does not have and 
cannot afford to purchase adequate clothing; and 
 
(iv) Costs incurred under W.S. 25-10-125(b). 
 
(b) Subject to the provisions of subsection (d) of this 
section, when a detained person or proposed patient is not a 
resident of Wyoming, the department shall pay the costs listed 
in paragraphs (a)(i) through (iii) of this section. 
 
(c) The county shall pay for the first seventy-two (72) 
hours as provided in subsection (a) of this section even if the 
patient waives the hearing required under W.S. 25-10-109 and 
proceeds to voluntary outpatient treatment, directed outpatient 
commitment or involuntary hospitalization proceedings. Subject 
to the provisions of subsections (d) and (e) of this section, if 
continued emergency detention is ordered pursuant to W.S. 
25-10-109(k)(iii), the county's liability for any costs of 
detention, treatment or transportation shall terminate after the 
first seventy-two (72) hours of detention, in addition to any 
Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday. The department shall be 
responsible for those costs after the expiration of the county's 
responsibility for payments of the costs. All costs of 
treatment, transportation and continued emergency detention 
incurred after the first seventy-two (72) hours of detention, in 
addition to any Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, shall be paid 
by: 
 
(i) The department for persons hospitalized in the 
state hospital; and 
 
(ii) The department for persons hospitalized in other 
hospitals, consistent with W.S. 25-10-110(j) and 25-10-104. 
 
(d) The hospital or other treatment provider shall attempt 
to recover all costs of treatment from public and private health 
insurance and from government benefit programs, including the 
veterans' administration, the Indian health service of the 
United States department of health and human services and any 
other federal agency that may be responsible for the costs of 
treatment, prior to seeking payment from the county or the 
department. The hospital or other treatment provider shall have 
discharged its obligation to recover costs under this subsection 
if it: 
 
(i) Repealed by Laws 2016, ch. 102, § 3. 
 
(ii) Certifies to the county or the department that: 
 
(A) The patient has no public or private health 
insurance; 
 
(B) There are no other government benefit 
programs from which it can recover the costs of treatment; and 
 
(C) If the patient might qualify for benefits, 
payment has been denied after submitting a written demand for 
payment to all federal agencies that may be responsible for the 
costs of treatment, including the veterans' administration and 
the Indian health service of the United States department of 
health and human services. Payment shall be deemed denied if a 
written demand for payment is made and no response is received 
within three (3) months of being properly submitted. If a demand 
is paid after having been deemed denied under this subparagraph, 
and after the county or department has paid the hospital or 
other treatment provider, the amount of the demand payment shall 
be remitted to the county or department, whichever entity paid 
the hospital or other treatment provider. If a county or the 
department has paid a hospital or other treatment provider, the 
county or the department shall have a subrogation right against 
any entity to whom the hospital or provider sent a written 
demand. 
 
(e) When a person is detained under W.S. 25-10-109, the 
county in which the person resided shall be liable for costs of 
treatment for the first seventy-two (72) hours of detention, in 
addition to any Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday that falls 
within the seventy-two (72) hours. If the person remains in 
detention after the hearing pursuant to W.S. 25-10-109(k)(iii), 
the department shall directly, or under contract with local 
providers, provide treatment for those conditions specified in 
paragraph (a)(i) of this section until the person is released 
from detention or involuntary commitment is ordered, subject to 
payment of costs as provided in this subsection or subsection 
(c) of this section. 
 
(f) For purposes of this section, "costs" shall not 
include the expenses for any medical procedures that are not: 
 
(i) Related to the assessment of or necessary 
treatment for the suspected mental illness; or 
 
(ii) Otherwise specified in paragraph (a)(i) of this 
section. 
 
(g) The department in consultation with each board of 
county commissioners may establish a single point of 
responsibility or gatekeeper. The department and each board of 
county commissioners shall give preference to a behavioral 
health center as defined by W.S. 35-1-613(a)(xvi) as the single 
point of responsibility. Gatekeeper duties shall include, but 
are not limited to, providing guidance on issues of detention 
and involuntary treatment and monitoring and coordinating 
timely, efficient and effective patient treatment prior to, 
during and after any emergency detention or involuntary 
treatment under this act. No behavioral health center designated 
under this subsection shall charge fees for gatekeeping services 
provided under this article. No gatekeeper designated under this 
subsection shall provide inpatient psychiatric treatment to 
patients under this act, unless the gatekeeper has been approved 
by the department of health to provide these services. 
 
(h) The county attorney shall notify the department and 
any gatekeeper of any detention, continued emergency detention 
order, directed outpatient commitment or involuntary 
hospitalization order within twenty-four (24) hours. 
 
(j) The department, boards of county commissioners, 
designated hospitals, gatekeepers and other treatment providers 
may, upon contract or agreement, coordinate and monitor the 
services and payments required for the treatment of persons with 
mental illness as provided under this section. Pursuant to 
contract or agreement, the department may assume any part of the 
expenses associated with a gatekeeper which expenses would 
otherwise be the responsibility of a county under this act, 
including expenses for the transportation of patients to 
appropriate care settings. The department may only assume any 
part of the expenses associated with a gatekeeper when the 
gatekeeper has been contracted through a behavioral health 
center as defined by W.S. 35-1-613(a)(xvi). 
 
25-10-113. Duties of head of hospital upon admission; 
treatment of patients primarily needing medical care. 
 
(a) As soon as possible but not later than seven (7) days 
after a patient is admitted to a hospital under this act, the 
head of the hospital shall: 
 
(i) Review the patient's record; 
 
(ii) Examine the patient; and 
 
(iii) Develop an initial plan of treatment for the 
patient. 
 
(b) If the medical staff of the state hospital determines 
that a patient's primary need for care is medical as opposed to 
psychiatric, the head of the state hospital may refuse to admit 
the patient if the state hospital has limited medical facilities 
or staff to provide for the necessary medical needs of the 
patient. If admittance is refused, the patient shall be 
transported to a medical facility that is qualified to meet the 
medical needs of the patient. 
 
25-10-114. Transfer of inmates of penal institutions to 
state hospital; notice. 
 
(a) The department of corrections may transfer an inmate 
of a state penal institution who is mentally ill to the state 
hospital, subject to the rules of admission of the department, 
if adequate treatment cannot be provided at a state penal 
institution. 
 
(b) Not less than five (5) days before an inmate is 
transferred pursuant to this section, the department of 
corrections shall give written notice to the court which ordered 
imprisonment, the inmate and the person responsible for his care 
or custody. The notice shall include: 
 
(i) The grounds for the transfer; 
 
(ii) The inmate's right to contest the transfer; 
 
(iii) The inmate's right to a hearing before he is 
transferred; and 
 
(iv) The inmate's right to counsel. 
 
(c) The transfer of an inmate of a state penal institution 
to the state hospital shall not exceed the term of imprisonment 
imposed by the sentencing court unless proceedings for 
involuntary hospitalization are instituted under W.S. 25-10-110. 
 
25-10-115. Transfer of patients to another hospital; 
notice. 
 
(a) A hospital may transfer a patient hospitalized under 
this act to another hospital if the transfer is in the best 
interest of the patient. An involuntarily hospitalized patient 
who is so transferred retains the status of an involuntarily 
hospitalized patient under W.S. 25-10-110. 
 
(b) Not less than five (5) days before a patient is 
transferred, the head of the hospital shall give written notice 
to the court, the patient, and the person responsible for his 
care or custody. The notice shall include: 
 
(i) The grounds for the transfer; 
 
(ii) The patient's right to contest the transfer; 
 
(iii) The patient's right to a hearing before he is 
transferred; and 
 
(iv) The patient's right to counsel. 
 
25-10-116. Periodic examinations of patients; 
determination of discharge or continued hospitalization; notice; 
hearing. 
 
(a) Three (3) months after each patient's admission to the 
hospital, the head of the hospital shall evaluate the progress 
of each patient and shall reevaluate the treatment and progress 
every six (6) months thereafter. The evaluation shall consider 
whether directed outpatient commitment is appropriate. 
 
(b) When the head of a hospital determines after the 
examination required by subsection (a) of this section or by 
W.S. 25-10-113 that the conditions justifying hospitalization of 
involuntary patients no longer exist, he shall report his 
determination to the court, the county attorney, the district 
attorney, family members and the mental health center which were 
involved in the initial proceedings. Unless, within three (3) 
days after the notice is sent, the court upon motion orders a 
hearing on continuing the patient's hospitalization, the head of 
the hospital shall discharge the patient. The hearing shall be 
held as soon as practicable and shall follow the procedures in 
W.S. 25-10-118. Notice of the hearing shall conform with W.S. 
25-10-116(c). 
 
(c) When the head of a hospital determines after an 
evaluation required by subsection (a) of this section or by W.S. 
25-10-113 that the conditions justifying hospitalization 
continue to exist, he shall send to the court notice of his 
determination and a detailed statement of the factual basis for 
the determination. The court may order a hearing to review the 
determination. The head of the hospital shall also send notice 
of his determination to the patient and the person responsible 
for his care or custody. The notice shall include: 
 
(i) The patient's right to contest the determination; 
 
(ii) The patient's right to a hearing; and 
 
(iii) The patient's right to counsel. 
 
25-10-117. Repealed by Laws 1989, ch. 147, § 2. 
 
25-10-118. Objections to proposed transfer or continued 
hospitalization; notice; hearing; options of court. 
 
(a) A hearing shall be conducted in accordance with this 
section when a patient contests one (1) of the following 
actions: 
 
(i) Transfer pursuant to W.S. 25-10-114 or 25-10-115; 
 
(ii) Continuing hospitalization pursuant to W.S. 
25-10-116; or 
 
(iii) Repealed by Laws 1989, ch. 147, § 2. 
 
(iv) Revocation of convalescent status release 
pursuant to W.S. 25-10-127. 
 
(b) Unless otherwise provided, an objection shall be filed 
with the court within five (5) days of receipt of notice of the 
intended action. The court shall set a hearing date which shall 
be within fourteen (14) days of receipt of the objection. If an 
objection is not filed within five (5) days, or if the patient 
consents to the action, the court may enter an ex parte order 
authorizing the action. 
 
(c) The hearing shall be before the court, without a jury. 
If the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that: 
 
(i) The transfer or continuing hospitalization is 
justified, the court shall enter an order authorizing the 
transfer or continuing hospitalization; or 
 
(ii) The transfer or continuing hospitalization is 
not justified, the court shall enter an order prohibiting the 
transfer or continuing hospitalization. 
 
25-10-119. Mechanical restraints; uses and reasons 
therefor recorded. 
 
Mechanical restraints shall not be applied to any patient, 
unless the head of the hospital determines that the medical 
needs of the patient require them. The head of the hospital 
shall record every use of a mechanical restraint and the reasons 
for its use in the clinical record of the patient and sign the 
record. 
 
25-10-120. Rights of patients; commitment and treatment of 
persons being treated by prayer. 
 
(a) The department shall adopt rules and regulations 
creating a bill of patient rights and establishing the 
procedures by which those rights may be enforced, limited or 
denied. 
 
(b) Repealed by Laws 1989, ch. 147, § 2. 
 
(c) Repealed by Laws 1989, ch. 147, § 2. 
 
(d) No person who is being treated in good faith by 
spiritual means alone, through prayer, by a duly accredited 
practitioner in accordance with the tenets and practices of a 
recognized church or religious denomination may be detained, 
hospitalized or ordered to receive treatment under this act 
unless: 
 
(i) A court finds by clear and convincing evidence 
that he is mentally ill; or 
 
(ii) If the person is a minor or is incompetent his 
parent or guardian consents to detention, hospitalization or 
treatment. 
 
25-10-121. Admission not to create presumption as to 
competency nor ground for guardianship. 
 
Admission to a hospital under this act shall not create any 
presumption with respect to the patient's mental or legal 
competency to exercise civil, contractual or other rights for 
which a legal standard of competency exists. Admission to a 
hospital under this act is not sufficient cause for guardianship 
of the person or estate of any patient. 
 
25-10-122. Records to be kept confidential; exceptions. 
 
(a) Records and reports made under this act which directly 
or indirectly identify a patient, a former patient or an 
individual for whom an application for directed outpatient 
commitment or involuntary hospitalization has been filed, shall 
be confidential and shall not be disclosed by any person unless: 
 
(i) The patient or, if he is a minor or incompetent, 
his parent or guardian, consents; 
 
(ii) Disclosure is necessary to carry out this act; 
or 
 
(iii) A court determines disclosure is necessary for 
the conduct of proceedings before it and failure to disclose 
would be contrary to the public interest. 
 
(iv) Repealed by Laws 1989, ch. 147, § 2. 
 
(b) Patient records identified in subsection (a) of this 
section may be provided without consent of the patient, parent 
or guardian by and between a mental health center, the state 
hospital and hospitals designated under W.S. 25-10-104, only for 
the purpose of facilitating referral treatment, admission, 
readmission or transfer of the patient under this act. 
 
25-10-123. Discharge of patient held on order in action 
arising out of criminal offense. 
 
A patient held on order of a court having criminal jurisdiction 
in any action or proceeding arising out of a criminal offense 
shall not be discharged except upon order of a court of 
competent jurisdiction. At any time the head of the hospital is 
of the opinion that the person is no longer affected by mental 
illness or deficiency, or that he no longer presents a 
substantial risk of danger to himself or others, the head of the 
hospital shall apply to the court which committed the person for 
an order of discharge. The court having criminal jurisdiction 
in the matter shall conduct a hearing not less than once each 
year to determine whether the continued hospitalization of the 
patient is necessary, based on the reports required under W.S. 
25-10-116 and any other information provided to the court by the 
state hospital or the federal hospital under W.S. 25-10-111, as 
appropriate, or the patient's counsel. After a hearing, the 
court shall make its findings and enter an order as provided in 
W.S. 25-10-118(c). 
 
25-10-124. Transfer of patients between states. 
 
(a) Repealed by Laws 1989, ch. 147, § 2. 
 
(b) Repealed by Laws 1989, ch. 147, § 2. 
 
(c) Repealed by Laws 1989, ch. 147, § 2. 
 
(d) Transfer of patients between states shall be governed 
by the Interstate Compact on Mental Health, W.S. 25-10-301. 
 
25-10-125. Clothing and transportation upon discharge. 
 
(a) The department, pursuant to W.S. 25-10-112 shall 
ensure that a patient discharged from the state's custody 
possesses suitable clothing and adequate means to ensure his 
arrival at the home from which he was admitted or another place 
within the state, which is in the best interests of the state 
and of the patient. 
 
(b) The county responsible for payment of costs pursuant 
to W.S. 25-10-112(a) shall ensure that a patient discharged from 
emergency detention within seventy-two (72) hours, or upon 
expiration of emergency detention after seventy-two (72) hours 
without a court order for hospitalization under W.S. 25-10-110, 
possesses suitable clothing and adequate means to ensure his 
arrival at the home from which he was admitted or another place, 
which is in the best interests of the county and of the patient. 
 
25-10-126. Penalties for unwarranted hospitalization or 
denial of rights. 
 
(a) A person who willfully causes the unwarranted 
hospitalization of any individual under this act is guilty of a 
felony punishable by a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars 
($5,000.00) or imprisonment not exceeding five (5) years, or 
both. 
 
(b) A person who willfully denies any individual any of 
the rights accorded to him under this act is guilty of a 
misdemeanor punishable by a fine not exceeding seven hundred 
fifty dollars ($750.00) or imprisonment not exceeding six (6) 
months, or both. 
 
25-10-127. Convalescent status; discharge; readmittance. 
 
(a) After providing notice to the court, the county 
attorney who initiated involuntary hospitalization procedures, 
any gatekeeper designated by the department and all interested 
parties, the hospital may release an improved patient on 
convalescent leave subject to the following: 
 
(i) The hospital has determined that the patient is 
likely to follow the conditions the hospital determines 
necessary for the patient; 
 
(ii) The hospital has determined that the patient 
will not likely be a danger to himself or others during 
convalescent leave; and 
 
(iii) Release on convalescent leave shall include a 
plan of treatment on an outpatient or nonhospital basis and 
other provisions for continuing responsibility of the patient by 
the hospital. Prior to the end of one (1) year on convalescent 
leave, and not less than annually thereafter, the hospital shall 
reexamine the facts relating to the hospitalization of the 
patient on convalescent leave and if the hospital determines 
hospitalization is no longer anticipated, the hospital shall 
discharge the patient and make a report of discharge to the 
court, to any gatekeeper designated by the department and to the 
county attorney who initiated procedures for the involuntary 
hospitalization. 
 
(b) The hospital from which the patient is given 
convalescent leave may readmit to the hospital the involuntary 
hospitalized patient who has been released on convalescent leave 
if the hospital reasonably believes that it is in the best 
interests of the patient. The patient readmitted shall have all 
the rights he had upon admission to the hospital. Upon 
readmission he shall be given notice of his rights pursuant to 
W.S. 25-10-116. It is the responsibility of the hospital to 
provide or pay for any transportation or other services in 
connection with any revocation of a convalescent status. 
 
(c) The hospital shall discharge any patient who has 
remained on convalescent leave for a period of two (2) 
continuous years. 
 
(d) This section shall not apply to a person who has been 
committed to the hospital pursuant to a criminal proceeding. 
 
25-10-128. Access to patient information. 
 
Any disclosure of patient information required by this article 
shall be subject to limitations imposed by state and federal 
law. The department shall promulgate rules facilitating the 
exchange of information required by this article to the maximum 
extent allowed by state and federal law. At the discretion of 
the court considering a matter under this article, the court may 
order the disclosure of information required by this article. 
The court also may designate and direct the actions of a 
gatekeeper otherwise designated by the department under W.S. 
25-10-112(g) for the purpose of allowing the gatekeeper access 
to patient information. 
 
25-10-129. Receipt and disposition of revenues and gifts. 
 
The department is authorized to deposit all monies and income 
received and collected by the Wyoming state hospital into a 
special revenue account. The department shall expend this 
revenue to correct life safety code problems, pay for the cost 
of emergency detentions pursuant to W.S. 25-10-109, pay for the 
costs of involuntary hospitalizations pursuant to W.S. 
25-10-110, and remediate conditions at the state hospital as 
identified in settlement agreements which are approved by the 
director and reported to the governor. If any single capital 
project is anticipated to exceed two hundred thousand dollars 
($200,000.00), it shall be approved by the state building 
commission. The department shall report to the joint 
appropriations committee not later than November 1 of each year 
detailing expenditures under this section. 
 
ARTICLE 2 - FISCAL PROVISIONS 
 
25-10-201. Repealed by Laws 1989, ch. 50, § 4. 
 
25-10-202. Repealed by Laws 1989, ch. 50, § 4. 
 
25-10-203. Repealed by Laws 1989, ch. 50, § 4. 
 
25-10-204. Repealed by Laws 1989, ch. 50, § 4. 
 
25-10-205. Repealed by Laws 1989, ch. 50, § 4. 
 
25-10-206. Repealed by Laws 1989, ch. 50, § 4. 
 
25-10-207. Repealed by Laws 1989, ch. 50, § 4. 
 
25-10-208. Repealed by Laws 1989, ch. 50, § 4. 
 
25-10-209. Repealed by Laws 1989, ch. 50, § 4. 
 
25-10-210. Repealed by Laws 1985, ch. 221, § 2. 
 
25-10-211. Repealed by Laws 1989, ch. 50, § 4. 
 
25-10-212. Repealed by Laws 1987, ch. 27, § 2. 
 
25-10-213. Repealed by Laws 1989, ch. 50, § 4. 
 
25-10-214. Repealed by Laws 1989, ch. 50, § 4. 
 
ARTICLE 3 - INTERSTATE COMPACT ON MENTAL HEALTH 
 
25-10-301. Enactment into law; form. 
 
The Interstate Compact on Mental Health is hereby enacted into 
law and entered into by this state with all other states legally 
joining therein in the form substantially as follows: 
 
Article I 
 
The party states find that the proper and expeditious treatment 
of the mentally ill and mentally deficient can be facilitated by 
cooperative action, to the benefit of the patients, their 
families, and society as a whole. Further, the party states find 
that the necessity of and desirability for furnishing such care 
and treatment bears no primary relation to the residence or 
citizenship of the patient but that, on the contrary, the 
controlling factors of community safety and humanitarianism 
require that facilities and services be made available for all 
who are in need of them. Consequently, it is the purpose of this 
compact and of the party states to provide the necessary legal 
basis for the institutionalization or other appropriate care and 
treatment of the mentally ill and mentally deficient under a 
system that recognizes the paramount importance of patient 
welfare and to establish the responsibilities of the party 
states in terms of such welfare. 
 
Article II 
 
 (a) As used in this compact: 
 
 (i) "Sending state" shall mean a party state from 
which a patient is transported pursuant to the provisions of the 
compact or from which it is contemplated that a patient may be 
so sent; 
 
 (ii) "Receiving state" shall mean a party state to 
which a patient is transported pursuant to the provisions of the 
compact or to which it is contemplated that a patient may be so 
sent; 
 
 (iii) "Institution" shall mean any hospital or other 
facility maintained by a party state or political subdivision 
thereof for the care and treatment of mental illness or mental 
deficiency; 
 
 (iv) "Patient" shall mean any person subject to or 
eligible as determined by the laws of the sending state, for 
institutionalization or other care, treatment, or supervision 
pursuant to the provisions of this compact; 
 
 (v) "Aftercare" shall mean care, treatment and 
services provided a patient, as defined herein, on convalescent 
status or conditional release; 
 
 (vi) "Mental illness" shall mean mental disease to 
such extent that a person so afflicted requires care and 
treatment for his own welfare, or the welfare of others, or of 
the community; 
 
 (vii) "Mental deficiency" shall mean mental 
deficiency as defined by appropriate clinical authorities to 
such extent that a person so afflicted is incapable of managing 
himself and his affairs, but shall not include mental illness as 
defined herein; 
 
 (viii) "State" shall mean any state, territory or 
possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, and 
the commonwealth of Puerto Rico. 
 
Article III 
 
 (a) Whenever a person physically present in any party 
state shall be in need of institutionalization by reason of 
mental illness or mental deficiency, he shall be eligible for 
care and treatment in an institution in that state irrespective 
of his residence, settlement or citizenship qualifications. 
 
 (b) The provisions of paragraph (a) of this article to the 
contrary notwithstanding, any patient may be transferred to an 
institution in another state whenever there are factors based 
upon clinical determinations indicating that the care and 
treatment of the patient would be facilitated or improved. Any 
institutionalization may be for the entire period of care and 
treatment or for any portion or portions thereof. The factors 
referred to in this paragraph shall include the patient's full 
record with due regard for the location of the patient's family, 
character of the illness and probable duration and other factors 
as shall be considered appropriate. 
 
 (c) No state shall be obliged to receive any patient 
pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (b) of this article 
unless the sending state has given advance notice of its 
intention to send the patient; furnished all available medical 
and other pertinent records concerning the patient; given the 
qualified medical or other appropriate clinical authorities of 
the receiving state an opportunity to examine the patient if 
said authorities so wish; and unless the receiving state shall 
agree to accept the patient. 
 
 (d) In the event that the laws of the receiving state 
establish a system of priorities for the admission of patients, 
an interstate patient under this compact shall receive the same 
priority as a local patient and shall be taken in the same order 
and at the same time that he would be taken if he were a local 
patient. 
 
 (e) Pursuant to this compact, the determination as to the 
suitable place of institutionalization for a patient may be 
reviewed at any time and further transfer of the patient may be 
made as seems likely to be in the best interest of the patient. 
 
Article IV 
 
 (a) Whenever, pursuant to the laws of the state in which a 
patient is physically present, it shall be determined that the 
patient should receive aftercare or supervision, such care or 
supervision may be provided in a receiving state. If the medical 
or other appropriate clinical authorities having responsibility 
for the care and treatment of the patient in the sending state 
shall have reason to believe that aftercare in another state 
would be in the best interest of the patient and would not 
jeopardize the public safety, they shall request the appropriate 
authorities in the receiving state to investigate the 
desirability of affording the patient aftercare in the receiving 
state, and an investigation shall be made with all reasonable 
speed. The request for investigation shall be accompanied by 
complete information concerning the patient's intended place of 
residence and the identity of the person in whose charge it is 
proposed to place the patient, the complete medical history of 
the patient, and any other documents as may be pertinent. 
 
 (b) If the medical or other appropriate clinical 
authorities having responsibility for the care and treatment of 
the patient in the sending state and the appropriate authorities 
in the receiving state find that the best interest of the 
patient would be served and if the public safety would not be 
jeopardized the patient may receive aftercare or supervision in 
the receiving state. 
 
 (c) In supervising, treating, or caring for a patient on 
aftercare pursuant to the terms of this article, a receiving 
state shall employ the same standards of visitation, 
examination, care, and treatment that it employs for similar 
local patients. 
 
Article V 
 
Whenever a dangerous or potentially dangerous patient escapes 
from an institution in any party state, that state shall 
promptly notify all appropriate authorities within and without 
the jurisdiction of the escape in a manner reasonably calculated 
to facilitate the speedy apprehension of the escapee. 
Immediately upon the apprehension and identification of any 
dangerous or potentially dangerous patient, he shall be 
detained, in the state where found pending disposition in 
accordance with law. 
 
Article VI 
 
The duly accredited officers of any state party to this compact, 
upon the establishment of their authority and the identity of 
the patient, shall be permitted to transport any patient being 
moved pursuant to this compact through any and all states party 
to this compact, without interference. 
 
Article VII 
 
 (a) No person shall be deemed a patient of more than one 
(1) institution at any given time. Completion of transfer of any 
patient to an institution in a receiving state shall have the 
effect of making the person a patient of the institution in the 
receiving state. 
 
 (b) The sending state shall pay all costs of and 
incidental to the transportation of any patient pursuant to this 
compact, but any two (2) or more party states may, by making a 
specific agreement for that purpose, arrange for a different 
allocation of costs as among themselves. 
 
 (c) No provision of this compact shall be construed to 
alter or affect any internal relationships among the 
departments, agencies and officers of and in the government of a 
party state, or between a party state and its subdivisions, as 
to the payment of costs, or responsibilities. 
 
 (d) Nothing in this compact shall be construed to prevent 
any party state or subdivision from asserting any right against 
any person, agency or other entity in regard to costs for which 
the party state or subdivision may be responsible pursuant to 
any provision of this compact. 
 
 (e) Nothing in this compact shall be construed to 
invalidate any reciprocal agreement between a party state and a 
nonparty state relating to institutionalization, care or 
treatment of the mentally ill or mentally deficient, or any 
statutory authority pursuant to which the agreements may be 
made. 
 
Article VIII 
 
 (a) Nothing in this compact shall be construed to abridge, 
diminish, or in any way impair the rights, duties, and 
responsibilities of any patient's guardian on his own behalf or 
in respect of any patient for whom he may serve, except that 
where the transfer of any patient to another jurisdiction makes 
advisable the appointment of a supplemental or substitute 
guardian, any court of competent jurisdiction in the receiving 
state may make a supplemental or substitute appointment and the 
court which appointed the previous guardian shall upon being 
duly advised of the new appointment, and upon the satisfactory 
completion of the accounting and other acts as the court may by 
law require, relieve the previous guardian of power and 
responsibility to whatever extent shall be appropriate in the 
circumstances; provided, however, that in the case of any 
patient having settlement in the sending state, the court of 
competent jurisdiction in the sending state shall have the sole 
discretion to relieve a guardian appointed by it or continue his 
power and responsibility, whichever it shall deem advisable. The 
court in the receiving state may, in its discretion, confirm or 
reappoint the person or persons previously serving as guardian 
in the sending state in lieu of making a supplemental or 
substitute appointment. 
 
 (b) The term "guardian" as used in paragraph (a) of this 
article shall include any guardian, trustee, legal committee, 
conservator, or other person or agency however denominated who 
is charged by law with power to act for or responsibility for 
the person or property of a patient. 
 
Article IX 
 
 (a) No provision of this compact except article V shall 
apply to any person institutionalized while under sentence in a 
penal or correctional institution or while subject to trial on a 
criminal charge, or whose institutionalization is due to the 
commission of an offense for which, in the absence of mental 
illness or mental deficiency, said person would be subject to 
incarceration in a penal or correctional institution. 
 
 (b) To every extent possible, it shall be the policy of 
the states party to this compact that no patient shall be placed 
or detained in any prison, jail or lockup, but the patient 
shall, with all expedition, be taken to a suitable institutional 
facility for mental illness or mental deficiency. 
 
Article X 
 
 (a) Each party state shall appoint a "compact 
administrator" who, on behalf of his state, shall act as general 
coordinator of activities under the compact in his state and who 
shall receive copies of all reports, correspondence, and other 
documents relating to any patient processed under the compact by 
his state either in the capacity of sending or receiving state. 
The compact administrator or his duly designated representative 
shall be the official with whom other party states shall deal in 
any matter relating to the compact or any patient processed. 
 
 (b) The compact administrators of the respective party 
states shall have power to promulgate reasonable rules and 
regulations to carry out more effectively the terms and 
provisions of this compact. 
 
Article XI 
 
The duly constituted administrative authorities of any two (2) 
or more party states may enter into supplementary agreements for 
the provision of any service or facility or for the maintenance 
of any institution on a joint or cooperative basis whenever the 
states concerned shall find that agreements will improve 
services, facilities, or institutional care and treatment in the 
field of mental illness or mental deficiency. No supplementary 
agreement shall be construed so as to relieve any party state of 
any obligation which it otherwise would have under other 
provisions of this compact. 
 
Article XII 
 
This compact shall enter into full force and effect as to any 
state when enacted by it into law and the state shall be a party 
with any and all states legally joining. 
 
Article XIII 
 
 (a) A state party to this compact may withdraw therefrom 
by enacting a statute repealing the same. Such withdrawal shall 
take effect one (1) year after notice thereof has been 
communicated officially and in writing to the governors and 
compact administrators of all other party states. However, the 
withdrawal of any state shall not change the status of any 
patient who has been sent to said state or sent out of said 
state pursuant to the provisions of the compact. 
 
 (b) Withdrawal from any agreement permitted by article 
VII(b) as to costs or from any supplementary agreement made 
pursuant to article XI shall be in accordance with the terms of 
the agreement. 
 
Article XIV 
 
This compact shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate 
the purposes. The provisions of this compact shall be severable 
and if any phrase, clause, sentence or provision of this compact 
is declared to be contrary to the constitution of any party 
state or of the United States or the applicability to any 
government, agency, person or circumstance is held invalid, the 
validity of the remainder of this compact and the applicability 
to any government, agency, person or circumstance shall not be 
affected. If this compact shall be held contrary to the 
constitution of any state party, the compact shall remain in 
full force and effect as to the remaining states and in full 
force and effect as to the state affected as to all severable 
matters. 
 
25-10-302. Designation, powers and duties of compact 
administrator. 
 
Pursuant to the compact, the director of the department of 
health is authorized and empowered to designate an officer who 
shall be the compact administrator and who, acting jointly with 
like officers of other party states, shall have power to 
promulgate rules and regulations to carry out more effectively 
the terms of the compact. The compact administrator is 
authorized, empowered and directed to cooperate with all 
departments, agencies and officers of and in the government of 
this state and its subdivisions in facilitating the proper 
administration of the compact or any supplementary agreement or 
agreements entered into by this state. 
 
25-10-303. Supplementary agreements; approval required for 
full force and effect. 
 
The compact administrator is authorized and empowered to enter 
into supplementary agreements with appropriate officials of 
other states pursuant to articles VII and XI of the compact. In 
the event that the supplementary agreements shall require or 
contemplate the use of any institution or facility of this state 
or require or contemplate the provision of any service by this 
state, no agreement shall have force or effect until approved by 
the head of the department or agency under whose jurisdiction 
the institution or facility is operated or whose department or 
agency will be charged with the rendering of the service. 
 
25-10-304. Discharge of financial obligations with 
director's approval. 
 
The compact administrator, subject to the approval of the 
director, may make or arrange for any payments necessary to 
discharge any financial obligations imposed upon this state by 
the compact or by any supplementary agreement entered into 
thereunder. 
 
25-10-305. Consultation with family of proposed 
transferee; court approval of final action. 
 
The compact administrator is directed to consult with the 
immediate family of any proposed transferee and, in the case of 
a proposed transferee from an institution in this state to an 
institution in another party state, to take no final action 
without approval of an appropriate state district court. 
 
ARTICLE 4 - JUVENILE TREATMENT PROGRAM 
 
25-10-401. Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 24, § 2. 
 
25-10-402. Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 24, § 2. 
 
25-10-403. Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 24, § 2. 
 
25-10-404. Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 24, § 2. 
 
CHAPTER 11 - FISCAL PROVISIONS 
 
25-11-101. Definitions. 
 
(a) As used in this chapter: 
 
(i) "Actual cost" means the cost of providing 
treatment or services for a resident in a state institution 
including minimum costs, as set by the department having the 
direct authority and control of the institution, of maintaining 
the resident; 
 
(ii) Repealed by Laws 1991, ch. 221, § 3. 
 
(iii) "Established charge" means that part of the 
actual cost for which the resident, the resident's estate and 
legally responsible persons are liable. The established charge 
may equal but not exceed the actual cost; 
 
(iv) "Legally responsible person" means the resident, 
a responsible relative or the conservator of the resident's 
property as defined by W.S. 3-1-101(a)(iii); 
 
(v) "Resident" means a patient or resident 
voluntarily admitted or involuntarily committed to a state 
institution; 
 
(vi) "Responsible relative" means a resident's spouse 
or a resident's parents if the resident is an unemancipated 
minor; 
 
(vii) "State institution" means any institution in 
title 25 under the direct authority and control of the 
department of health. 
 
25-11-102. Department to adopt schedule of costs for 
services and treatments; residents' accounts. 
 
(a) The department of health shall promulgate on or before 
October 1 of each year a schedule of actual costs for services 
and treatment rendered residents at each state institution under 
the direct authority and control of the department. 
 
(b) In determining actual costs the department may 
subtract from operation costs capital outlay and real property 
repair and maintenance to determine the immediate benefit to the 
resident. 
 
(c) An account for each resident shall record the actual 
costs and established charge for each month or fraction thereof. 
The established charge shall be paid in the manner provided in 
this article and credited to the account of the resident. 
 
25-11-103. Determining financial ability and established 
charges; special funds considered as part of resident's assets. 
 
(a) Established charges shall be determined using a 
sliding scale promulgated by the department of health or the 
department of family services for each state institution under 
its direct authority and control. The sliding scale shall be 
based upon the ability of the resident or other legally 
responsible person to pay and shall be designed to provide that 
the resident or legally responsible person shall not be deprived 
of income necessary to maintain a reasonable standard of living 
for that person and his dependents. 
 
(b) Upon completion of a resident questionnaire form 
provided by the department, the director of the department shall 
determine the established charge to be assessed in each case 
using the sliding scale promulgated by the department. Any payor 
may protest his established charge through the head of the 
institution to the department exercising direct authority and 
control over the institution if still dissatisfied. The 
department may affirm the established charge or set a different 
established charge. The decision of the department may be 
appealed pursuant to the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act. 
 
(c) Any available income and special funds, including but 
not limited to hospitalization insurance, social security 
benefits, disability compensation, pensions, retirement benefits 
and veterans' benefits shall be considered part of the total 
assets of a resident in determining an established charge. 
 
(d) Nothing in this chapter limits any obligation created 
by law or contract for third parties to pay for services 
provided to a resident admitted to a state institution. 
 
25-11-104. Reimbursement of general fund for payments. 
 
Payments for services provided to a resident admitted to a state 
institution either voluntarily or involuntarily shall be 
reimbursed to the state general fund. 
 
25-11-105. Limitation on liability of responsible 
relatives; liability of relatives, patient and estate after 
release or death; exception. 
 
(a) The liability of a parent or spouse of a resident for 
payment of established charges shall not exceed two (2) years of 
cumulative care at the state institution. Voluntary payments 
for care in excess of the two (2) year limitation may be 
accepted. This section does not limit the obligation, created 
by contract or law, of third party payments for resident or 
temporary services. 
 
(b) Subject to the limitation in subsection (a) of this 
section, the resident, his estate and other legally responsible 
persons are liable after release of the resident for the payment 
of any unpaid established charge. If a resident or a released 
resident dies, his estate is liable for all unpaid established 
charges unless the department exercising direct authority and 
control over the institution determines that no claim or a 
lesser claim should be filed against the estate due to the need 
for support from the proceeds of the estate of the legal 
dependents of the resident who are the beneficiaries of his 
estate. 
 
25-11-106. Billings; assignment of insurance; collection 
or waiver of arrearages. 
 
(a) The department of health shall establish procedures 
requiring state institutions under its direct authority and 
control to provide monthly billings to each resident of the 
state institution and to each legally responsible person. 
Billings under this subsection for the state hospital shall 
provide for an itemization, including at a minimum, the daily 
established charge. 
 
(b) The department shall obtain an assignment of benefits 
from any resident under its care and supervision who has 
insurance that may cover services provided. 
 
(c) An account for established charges which is not paid 
within ninety (90) days after the end of the month in which the 
charges accrue is in arrears and shall be referred to the 
respective department for collection. The department may 
contract with a private person or agency for collection of 
accounts under this subsection. 
 
(d) The department may adjust, compromise or waive 
collection of charges from the legally responsible person if the 
department determines that the person is without financial means 
or that collection would constitute a hardship. If the 
department decides to waive collection of charges, no future 
billing will be sent to a resident or legally responsible 
person. 
 
25-11-107. State to bear costs of those unable to pay. 
 
If a resident or legally responsible person has no available 
assets at the time of or during the resident's stay at a state 
institution to pay an established charge, all costs of treatment 
and transportation shall be borne by the state. 
 
25-11-108. Department to promulgate rules; forms. 
 
The department of health shall promulgate reasonable rules and 
regulations and shall approve and provide forms necessary to 
carry out the purposes of this chapter. 
 
CHAPTER 12 - WYOMING SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF 
 
25-12-101. Wyoming school for the deaf; establishment; 
purpose; supervision. 
 
(a) The Wyoming school for the deaf is established at 
Casper, Wyoming, to provide to every child of school age in the 
state of Wyoming who is hearing impaired and for whom no lesser 
restrictive placement can be provided by the local school 
district a free and appropriate education in accordance with the 
child's capabilities. 
 
(b) The Wyoming school for the deaf shall be operated and 
maintained under the general supervision of the superintendent 
of public instruction pursuant to W.S. 21-2-202. The 
superintendent shall promulgate rules and regulations for the 
administration of the program and shall facilitate continued 
cooperation with Natrona county school district number 1. The 
school shall be staffed as follows: 
 
(i) Except for substitute teachers who shall hold a 
substitute teaching permit, teachers at the school shall hold a 
Wyoming standard teaching certificate, including an endorsement 
for deaf education; 
 
(ii) The administrator at the school shall hold a 
Wyoming standard teaching certificate, including endorsements 
for deaf education and school principal; 
 
(iii) Interpreters at the school shall be qualified 
under rules promulgated by the department of education; 
 
(iv) Ancillary staff shall be qualified for the 
positions they hold. 
 
(c) The program may serve as a repository for equipment 
and materials to assist local agencies serving individuals with 
hearing impairments. 
 
CHAPTER 13 - CORRECTIONAL INDUSTRIES PROGRAM 
 
25-13-101. Definitions. 
 
(a) As used in this act: 
 
(i) "Advisory board" or "board" means the 
correctional industries advisory board created by W.S. 
25-13-102; 
 
(ii) "Department" means the department of 
corrections; 
 
(iii) "Inmate" means a person serving a felony 
sentence in a state correctional facility; 
 
(iv) "State correctional facility" means the Wyoming 
state penitentiary, the Wyoming women's center or any 
penitentiary honor farm or camp; 
 
(v) "This act" means W.S. 25-13-101 through 
25-13-107. 
 
25-13-102. Correctional industries advisory board. 
 
(a) There is created the correctional industries advisory 
board. The board shall consist of seven (7) members appointed 
by the governor. Members shall serve a three (3) year term 
provided that of the initial board, two (2) members shall be 
appointed for a one (1) year term, two (2) members for two (2) 
year terms and three (3) members for three (3) year terms. 
Membership on the board shall include representatives of 
organized labor, business, the criminal justice system and the 
educational community. The director of the department of 
corrections and the director of the department of workforce 
services, or their designees, shall serve as ex officio 
nonvoting members of the board. 
 
(b) The governor may remove any member of the board as 
provided by W.S. 9-1-202. 
 
(c) Vacancies on the advisory board shall be filled by 
appointment for the unexpired term. 
 
(d) Members of the advisory board shall not receive 
compensation for their services, but when actually engaged in 
the performance of their duties shall receive travel expenses, 
per diem and mileage expenses in the same manner and amount as 
employees of the state. 
 
(e) The department shall provide staff services as the 
advisory board requires to carry out its duties. 
 
(f) The advisory board shall recommend to the governor and 
to the department policies for correctional industries programs 
designed to: 
 
(i) Offer inmates meaningful employment, work 
experience and training in vocations that are specifically 
designed to reduce recidivism and thereby enhance public safety 
by providing opportunities for legitimate means of livelihood 
upon the inmate's release from custody; 
 
(ii) Provide industries which will reduce the tax 
burden of corrections and save taxpayers money through 
production of goods and services for sale and use; 
 
(iii) Provide for the effective and efficient 
operation of correctional work programs which are as similar as 
possible to those provided by the private sector; 
 
(iv) Encourage the development of and provide for the 
selection of, contracting for, and supervision of work programs 
with participating private enterprise firms; and 
 
(v) Provide advice regarding the use of available 
funds in correctional industries enterprises and meaningful work 
programs that will not result in the displacement of employed 
workers, be applied in skills, crafts or trades in which there 
is adequate gainful labor in the locality or impair existing 
contracts for services. 
 
(g) The advisory board shall annually review and report to 
the governor and joint judiciary interim committee the 
performance of the correctional industries program within the 
department. 
 
25-13-103. Correctional industries account. 
 
(a) There is created the correctional industries account. 
The department shall deposit in the account all monies collected 
under W.S. 25-13-107(b)(iii) and all other revenues or profits 
that accrue from the operation of the correctional industries 
program created by this act until the account balance reaches 
five million dollars ($5,000,000.00). Annually, on July 1, 
monies within the account in excess of five million dollars 
($5,000,000.00) shall be credited to the general fund as 
reimbursement to the state for costs of incarceration. Interest 
on funds in the account shall remain in the account. 
 
(b) Monies in the account shall be appropriated only for 
expenses related to the establishment, operation and enhancement 
of the correctional industries program and vocational programs 
at state correctional facilities. 
 
25-13-104. Agreements with private employers; leases. 
 
(a) The department, in consultation with the correctional 
industries advisory board, may establish programs for the 
employment of inmates by private employers and enter into 
agreements with private employers under which the employer owns, 
constructs, leases to or from the department or otherwise 
establishes facilities to manufacture or process goods, provide 
services or conduct any other business, commercial or 
agricultural enterprise and employ inmates from a correctional 
facility. Facilities established under this section may be 
located within or outside the exterior boundaries of a state 
correctional facility property. Construction of facilities by 
private employers under this section shall not be subject to 
competitive bid requirements applicable to construction by the 
state. Inmate labor may be used pursuant to W.S. 7-16-202 for 
construction of facilities that occurs within the exterior 
boundaries of a state correctional facility property under this 
section. 
 
(b) If any state correctional facility operates a program 
involving the use, purchase, training or sale of wild horses, 
the program shall not use any wild horse which was not initially 
captured or found within the boundaries of the state or within 
the boundaries of a bureau of land management herd management 
area contiguous to the state. There shall be a brand and 
ownership inspection under W.S. 11-20-203 at the time of 
transfer of a wild horse to or from any state correctional 
facility. Not later than November 1 of each year, the department 
shall report to the joint agriculture, state and public lands 
and water resources interim committee on any use of or other 
transactions involving wild horses at correctional facilities in 
this state. As used in this section, "wild horse" means as 
defined in W.S. 11-30-115(a). 
 
25-13-105. Voluntary employment. 
 
An inmate may be employed under this act only on a voluntary 
basis and only after the inmate has been informed of all 
conditions of employment. 
 
25-13-106. Application of other laws. 
 
(a) The employer shall contribute to the state worker's 
compensation fund at the appropriate rate calculated by the 
worker's compensation division for the work being performed. 
 
(b) A nongovernmental enterprise operating on any 
correctional facility premises under this act is subject to all 
laws and rules otherwise governing the operation of similar 
private enterprises in this state. 
 
25-13-107. Compensation of employed inmates; payment and 
disposition. 
 
(a) Any agreement entered into between the department and 
a private employer under this act shall provide that an employed 
inmate shall be paid wages at a rate which is not less than that 
paid for work of a similar nature in the locality in which the 
work is performed. 
 
(b) The compensation of an inmate employed under this act 
shall be surrendered to the department and shall be distributed 
in the following order: 
 
(i) Fifteen percent (15%) of the inmate's gross 
compensation under the program to the inmate's personal savings 
account within the correctional facility's trust and agency 
account, until the inmate's account has a balance of up to two 
thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00). Once the inmate's 
personal savings account balance reaches two thousand five 
hundred dollars ($2,500.00), this fifteen percent (15%) shall be 
distributed to the inmate as provided by W.S. 7-16-205(a). Funds 
in the inmate's personal savings account shall be paid to the 
inmate upon parole or final discharge; 
 
(ii) Twenty percent (20%) of the inmate's gross 
compensation under the program to be distributed to the inmate 
as provided by W.S. 7-16-205(a); 
 
(iii) Deduction for federal income taxes, medicare 
and social security appropriate to the gross amount of the 
inmate's compensation under the program; 
 
(iv) Fifteen percent (15%) of the remaining amount to 
the crime victims compensation account created by W.S. 1-40-114; 
 
(v) If the inmate is not obligated to pay child 
support, the remaining amount to the correctional industries 
account pursuant to W.S. 25-13-103(a), to reduce the cost 
otherwise associated with providing the inmate with room and 
board; 
 
(vi) If the inmate is obligated for existing child 
support obligations, pursuant to state statute or court order, 
including all support obligations issued pursuant to W.S. 
20-2-102, the remainder of the inmate's compensation under the 
program, shall be distributed toward the child support 
obligation up to the amount ordered. If the existing child 
support obligation is less than the remainder of the inmate's 
compensation under the program, the difference between the 
actual amount of the child support obligation and the remainder 
of the inmate's compensation under the program shall be 
distributed to the correctional industries account pursuant to 
W.S. 25-13-103(a), to reduce the cost otherwise associated with 
providing the inmate with room and board; 
 
(vii) The department shall provide all inmates 
employed under this act with the forms necessary for the filing 
of a petition for support under W.S. 20-2-102 and shall honor 
new or existing court orders for support up to the amount 
ordered, including those orders issued pursuant to a petition 
for support filed under W.S. 20-2-102. 
 
(c) The department shall develop the necessary 
administrative structure to recover inmates' wages and keep 
records of the amount inmates pay for the costs of 
incarceration. 
 
(d) The earnings of inmates under this act are not subject 
to garnishment, attachment or execution either in the hands of 
the employer, the department or any agent authorized to hold and 
transmit the earnings. 
 
(e) If a provision of this act relating to the payment or 
disbursement of compensation to inmates employed in a 
correctional industries program conflicts with any other 
provision of title 27 of the Wyoming Statutes, the provision of 
this act controls. 
 
CHAPTER 14 - WYOMING VETERANS' SKILLED NURSING FACILITY 
 
25-14-101. Purpose; admission of veterans and veterans' 
spouses; admission of "gold star" nonveterans; preference to 
veterans and veterans' spouses; capacity. 
 
(a) The Wyoming veterans' skilled nursing facility is 
created to provide veterans with skilled nursing benefits across 
multiple levels of need. The skilled nursing facility shall 
provide community living, care and treatment for individuals 
who, due to wounds, disease, old age or other infirmities as 
determined by department of health rules, need safety net care 
because they cannot be served in private facilities, skilled 
nursing care or subsidized long-term care benefits and who are: 
 
(i) Honorably discharged veterans of the armed forces 
of the United States; or 
 
(ii) Members of the state national guard disabled 
while on duty. 
 
(b) The department of health may admit to the Wyoming 
veterans' skilled nursing facility a spouse of a person who 
qualifies under subsection (a) of this section, pursuant to 
rules or orders the department promulgates in accordance with 
W.S. 9-2-106(d) or 25-14-105. 
 
(c) The department of health may admit persons to the 
Wyoming veterans' skilled nursing facility for care and 
treatment who are not qualifying veterans or spouses of veterans 
under subsection (a) or (b) of this section if: 
 
(i) The persons are qualifying dependents or the 
parents of United States military personnel who died while in 
service or who died as a result of their service as provided by 
statute, rule or regulation of the United States department of 
veterans affairs; and 
 
(ii) The persons are admitted pursuant to rules or 
orders promulgated in accordance with W.S. 9-2-106(d) or 25-14-
105. 
 
(d) Veterans and spouses of veterans who qualify for 
admission under subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall be 
given preference of admission in all circumstances. 
 
(e) In addition to subsections (a) through (d) of this 
section, the veterans' skilled nursing facility shall comply 
with United States department of veterans affairs rules 
regarding capacity guidelines, number of beds and populations 
served. 
 
25-14-102. Veterans' skilled nursing facility account; 
disposition, receipt and expenditure of monies received; 
acceptance of funding and donations. 
 
(a) There is created the veterans' skilled nursing 
facility special revenue account. Notwithstanding W.S. 9-4-
303(a), the department of health, veterans' commission and state 
construction department shall deposit all monies and income 
received and collected by or for the Wyoming veterans' skilled 
nursing facility into the account. Monies in this account are 
continuously appropriated to pay the costs of design and 
planning, construction, operation, loan repayment and 
maintenance of the veterans' skilled nursing facility. 
 
(b) The department of health on behalf of the state may 
accept: 
 
(i) State, federal, local and nongovernmental funds 
for the purposes of this chapter provided that any condition on 
receipt of the funds is not inconsistent with this chapter; 
 
(ii) Donations of land, money or other property for 
the construction, maintenance or other benefit of the veterans' 
skilled nursing facility. 
 
25-14-103. Services for residents; administration; 
facility operation. 
 
(a) The department of health shall, by contract or 
otherwise: 
 
(i) Provide skilled nursing care in the veterans' 
skilled nursing facility in accordance with the federal Social 
Security Act and the federal Medicare and Medicaid regulations 
and United States department of veterans affairs requirements; 
 
(ii) Appoint one (1) department of health employee to 
oversee federal and state requirements applicable to the 
veterans' skilled nursing facility; 
 
(iii) Provide other care as required under authority 
of the director of the department of health pursuant to W.S. 9-
2-106(d). 
 
(b) The department of health may contract with an 
organization to provide day-to-day operation and administrative 
management of the veterans' skilled nursing facility. The 
contract may provide for a monthly management fee as the 
department of health determines. The contract for operations and 
administrative management shall be in accordance with the best 
practices of a "green house" model community living concept and 
shall comply with state and federal law and regulations. 
 
25-14-104. Payments for care. 
 
Residents shall pay for services provided under this chapter 
according to department of health rules. Payments shall be set 
at amounts to ensure that appropriate services are provided at 
the veterans' skilled nursing facility, as required by this 
chapter, and shall be consistent with requirements for grant in 
aid payments from the United States department of veterans 
affairs. 
 
25-14-105. Promulgation of rules. 
 
The department of health shall promulgate rules necessary to 
carry out this chapter. The rules shall provide admission 
requirements that do not jeopardize the veterans' skilled 
nursing facility's, or any veteran's, qualifications to receive 
federal financial aid during admission to the veterans' skilled 
nursing facility.