Title - 27.docx

TITLE 27 - LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT

CHAPTER 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS

27-1-101. "Manufacturing establishment" defined; "person"

defined.

Manufacturing establishments, as those words are used in this

act, shall mean and include all smelters, oil refineries, cement

works, mills of every kind, machine and repair shops, and in

addition to the foregoing, any other kind or character of

manufacturing establishment, of any nature or description

whatsoever, wherein any natural product or other articles or

materials of any kind, in a raw or unfinished or incomplete

state or condition, are converted into a new or improved or

different form. Wherever the expression occurs in this act in

substantially the following words: "every person owning or

operating any manufacturing establishment," or where language

similar to that is used, the word "person" in that connection

shall be held and construed to mean any person or persons,

partnership, corporation, receiver, trust, trustee, or any other

person or combination of persons, either natural or artificial,

by whatever name he or they may be called.

27-1-102. Doors at public places to open outward;

handrails on stairs; enforcement.

All doors leading into or to any manufacturing establishment,

mills, workshops, offices, bakeries, laundries, stores, hotels,

theaters, halls, or other buildings in which people are

employed, shall be so constructed as to open outward, when

practicable, and shall not be locked, bolted or fastened so as

to prevent free egress during working hours. Proper and

substantial handrails shall be provided on all stairways in

manufacturing establishments, mills, workshops, offices,

bakeries, laundries, stores, hotels, theaters, halls, and other

buildings where people are employed or rooms are rented to the

public. The department of workforce services shall have

authority to enforce by due process of law, the provisions of

this section, and other laws relating to fire escapes.

27-1-103. Safety devices on elevators and machinery.

The openings of all hoistways, hatchways, elevators, well holes

and stairways in manufacturing establishments, mills, workshops,

bakeries, laundries, stores, hotels, theaters, halls, or any

other kind of establishment where labor is employed, or

machinery used, shall be protected by trapdoors, hatches,

fences, automatic gates or other safeguards, and all due

diligence shall be used to keep all such means of protection

closed, except when it is necessary to have the same open for

use when practicable. All machinery, in use in any mercantile,

manufacturing, or any other establishment whatsoever where labor

is employed, shall be equipped, with proper shifters for

throwing on or off pulleys, loose pulleys and other such

safeguards as may be deemed necessary by the department of

workforce services for the proper safeguard of life and limb.

27-1-104. Mines and interstate railroads exempt.

Nothing herein contained, as applied to inspection and

application of safety devices, shall be construed to be

applicable to coal and metalliferous mines and workshops

connected therewith, nor to railroads engaged in interstate

commerce and workshops connected therewith.

27-1-105. Employees' contract releasing employer from

personal injury liability void.

It shall be unlawful for any person, company or corporation to

require of its servants or employees, as a condition of their

employment or otherwise, any contract or agreement whereby such

person, company or corporation shall be released or discharged

from liability or responsibility on account of personal injuries

received by such servants or employees while in service of such

person, company or corporation, by reason of the negligence of

such person, company or corporation, or the agents or employees

thereof, and such contracts shall be absolutely null and void.

27-1-106. Certain nonresident employers required to post

bond; exceptions.

(a) All firms, corporations or employers of any kind who

are nonresident employers and expect to pay wages in the state

of Wyoming in excess of four thousand dollars ($4,000.00) in any

month as a result of conducting business within Wyoming, are

required to file with the director of the department of

workforce services a surety bond or other security meeting the

requirements of this section, approved by the director.

(b) The bond or other security required by subsection (a)

of this section shall be in the amount of eight thousand dollars

($8,000.00) plus an additional two thousand dollars ($2,000.00)

for each one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or fraction thereof

that the expected wages in any month exceed four thousand

dollars ($4,000.00) up to expected wages in any month of twenty

thousand dollars ($20,000.00). For expected wages in any month

that exceed twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.00), the bond or

other security amount shall be one thousand dollars ($1,000.00)

for each additional one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or fraction

thereof of expected wages.

shall ensure:

(i) The payment of wages of employees working in the

state;

(ii) The payment of civil penalties the occupational

health and safety commission may assess; and

(iii) All other payments or obligations of the

nonresident employer required by:

(A) The Wyoming Worker's Compensation Act unless

waived by the director pursuant to W.S. 27-14-302;

(B) Any other section under title 27 of Wyoming

statutes or any department of workforce services rule or

regulation.

(d) The nonresident employer shall post additional

security before performing work under any new contract if the

security previously posted under this section has expired.

(e) Upon application by a nonresident employer, the

director may permit the withdrawal of any security if the

employer has:

(i) Complied with the security requirements of this

section and made all necessary payments for a period of two (2)

years;

(ii) Demonstrated that he has been a resident of the

state for two (2) years and intends to remain a resident; or

(iii) Acquired real property as a nonresident with an

unencumbered value greater than or equal to the value of the

bond or other security required by subsection (b) of this

section.

(f) If the anticipated work has ceased before the

expiration of twenty-four (24) months, or less than fifty

percent (50%) of the largest work force is still working in

Wyoming, the security deposited by the nonresident employer

shall be forfeited and retained by the division in an amount

equal to the reserved amounts for compensable injuries to the

nonresident employer's employees. Upon application by a

nonresident employer, the division shall refund the amount not

forfeited pursuant to this subsection except for any

disbursements made under subsection (c) of this section.

(g) This section does not apply to charitable or religious

organizations.

27-1-107. Nonresident employers to post bond; penalty.

Any person or persons, corporation, agent, manager or employer

who shall violate or fail to comply with any of the provisions

of W.S. 27-1-106 shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and

upon conviction thereof shall for each offense, be subject to a

fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00),

imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, or both.

27-1-108. Penalties generally.

Any person who violates or omits to comply with any of the

provisions of this act, or any final order of the department of

workforce services is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon

conviction shall be punished by a fine of not more than one

thousand dollars ($1,000.00), imprisonment in the county jail

for not more than one (1) year, or both.

27-1-109. Prosecution of violations.

The district attorney for any county in this state shall, upon

receipt of a verified complaint from the director of the

department of workforce services or a final agency decision of

the department of workforce services prosecute to termination

before any court of competent jurisdiction, in the name of the

state of Wyoming, actions or proceedings against any person or

persons charged with violation of any of the provisions of this

act, or any of the laws of this state enacted for the protection

of employees.

27-1-110. State rehabilitation council; membership;

chairman.

(a) There is established a permanent council within the

department of workforce services to be known as the Wyoming

governor's state rehabilitation council, to consist of:

(i) At least one (1) representative of the statewide

independent living council;

(ii) At least one (1) representative of a parent

training and information center;

(iii) At least one (1) representative of the client

assistance program;

(iv) At least one (1) vocational rehabilitative

counselor;

(v) At least one (1) representative of community

rehabilitation program service providers;

(vi) Four (4) representatives of business, industry

and labor;

(vii) At least two (2) representatives of disability

advocacy groups;

(viii) At least two (2) current or former applicants

of vocational rehabilitation services;

(ix) The administrator of the division of vocational

rehabilitation;

(x) At least one (1) representative of the department

of education;

(xi) At least one (1) representative of the state

workforce investment board.

(b) The director of the department of workforce services

shall be an ex officio, nonvoting member of the state

rehabilitation council.

are:

(i) Individuals with disabilities;

(ii) Not employed by the division of vocational

rehabilitation.

(d) One (1) of the members shall be elected chairman by

the members of the council. The appointive members shall hold

office for the term specified. The council shall be nonpartisan.

The governor may remove any council member as provided in W.S.

9-1-202.

27-1-111. Duties of council and department.

The department of workforce services, with advice of the

council, shall carry on a continuing program to promote the

employment of physically, mentally, emotionally and otherwise

handicapped persons by creating statewide interest in the

rehabilitation and employment of the handicapped and by

obtaining and maintaining cooperation from all public and

private groups and individuals in the field. The council shall

work in cooperation with the president's committee on employment

of the handicapped in order to more effectively carry out the

purposes of this act.

27-1-112. Authority of council to receive gifts, grants or

donations.

The department of workforce services, on behalf of the council,

is authorized to receive any gifts, grants or donations made for

any of the purposes of its program.

27-1-113. Employer immunity for disclosure of certain

employee information; rebuttal of presumption.

(a) An employer who discloses information about a former

employee's job performance to a prospective employer or to an

employer of the former employee is presumed to be acting in good

faith. Unless lack of good faith is shown by a preponderance of

evidence, the employer is immune from civil liability for the

disclosure or for the consequences resulting from the

disclosure.

(b) For purposes of subsection (a) of this section, the

presumption of good faith is rebutted upon a showing that the

information disclosed by the former employer was knowingly false

or deliberately misleading or was rendered with malicious

purpose.

27-1-114. Temporary employment fees.

(a) A temporary service contractor for temporary workers

is not entitled to collect a fee from an employer for the

permanent employment of a temporary worker placed by the

temporary service contractor, unless the employer is notified in

writing of the existence and the amount of the fee prior to the

date of services being rendered by a temporary worker to the

employer.

(b) For the purpose of this section "temporary service

contractor" means any person, firm, association or corporation

conducting a business that employs individuals directly for the

purpose of furnishing services of the employed individuals on a

temporary basis to others.

27-1-115. State directory of new hires; requirements;

exceptions; definitions.

(a) A department designated by the governor shall maintain

a directory of new hires using information provided by employers

in the state. The department shall use the information in the

directory of new hires to:

(i) Provide information to the department of family

services as necessary to:

(A) Locate individuals for purposes of

establishing paternity and establishing, modifying and enforcing

child support obligations;

(B) Notify employers of wage withholding orders.

(ii) Provide information to the national directory of

new hires; and

(iii) Maintain information as necessary for the

administration of employment security and worker's compensation

programs.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section,

each employer in the state shall furnish to the department of

workforce services within twenty (20) days of hiring a new

employee, or in the case of an employer transmitting reports

magnetically or electronically, by two (2) monthly transmissions

not less than twelve (12) days nor more than sixteen (16) days

apart, a report that contains the name, address and social

security number of the employee, the date services for

remuneration were first performed by the employee and the name

and address of, and identifying number assigned to, the employer

under section 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code. The report

shall be made on a W-4 form approved by the internal revenue

service or, at the option of the employer, on an equivalent form

approved by the department. The form may be transmitted by first

class mail, electronically or magnetically in a format

acceptable to the designated department.

Wyoming and any other state and who transmits the report

required under subsection (b) of this section by electronic or

magnetic means may elect to submit the report to either state in

accordance with federal law. Any department, agency or

instrumentality of the federal government operating in the state

may submit the report required under subsection (b) of this

section to the national directory of new hires in accordance

with federal law.

(d) For purposes of this section:

(i) "Employee" means an individual eighteen (18)

years of age or older who is an employee within the meaning of

chapter 24 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, but does not

include an employee of a federal or state agency performing

intelligence or counter-intelligence functions if the head of

such agency has determined that reporting the information

required by this section could endanger the safety of the

individual or compromise an ongoing investigation or

intelligence operation. If the federal government seeks to

impose sanctions on Wyoming for failure to report new hires

under eighteen (18) years of age, the department may include

such individuals within the definition of employee for purposes

of this section;

(ii) "Employer" means as defined in section 3401(d)

of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and includes any

governmental agency and any labor organization;

(iii) "Newly hired employee" means an individual who

has not previously been employed by the employer or was

previously employed by the employer but has been separated from

employment with that employer for at least sixty (60) days.

(e) In the event that the federal law requiring the state

to maintain a directory of new hires is repealed, employers

shall not be required to submit reports as provided by

subsections (b) and (c) of this section. The state shall not

thereafter maintain the directory of new hires required under

subsection (a) of this section.

27-1-116. Business relationship between franchisors and

franchisees; business relationship between franchisors and

employees of franchisees.

(a) Neither a franchisee nor a franchisee's employee shall

be deemed to be an employee of the franchisor for any purpose

under this title, unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the

franchisor and the franchisee.

(b) This section shall not apply to a voluntary agreement

entered into between the United States department of labor and a

franchisee.

have the same definitions as set out in 16 C.F.R. 436.1.

CHAPTER 2 - LABOR AND STATISTICS

27-2-101. Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 63, § 3.

27-2-102. Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 63, § 3.

27-2-103. Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 63, § 3.

27-2-104. Duties of department of workforce services.

(a) The department of workforce services shall:

(i) Enforce all laws enacted by the legislature of

Wyoming, relating to labor, wages, hours of labor, and to the

health, welfare, life and limb of the workers of this state;

(ii) Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 162, § 2.

(iii) Make necessary inspections of industrial

establishments and buildings as provided by law;

(iv) Make an inspection of all living accommodations

provided for employees wherever employed, where the living

accommodations are furnished as a part of the wages; and

(v) To promulgate reasonable rules.

(b) Repealed By Laws 2002, Ch. 100, § 4.

27-2-105. Report to governor; statistics and information

required.

(a) The department of workforce services shall collect,

classify, have printed and submit to the governor in its annual

report the following statistics:

(i) The hours of labor and number of sex engaged in

manual labor;

(ii) The aggregate and average daily wages classified

by sex and occupation;

(iii) The number and character of accidents;

(iv) The working conditions of all industrial

establishments (including manufacturing establishments, hotels,

stores, workshops, theaters, halls and other places where labor

is employed);

(v) Other information relating to industrial,

economic, social, educational, moral and sanitary conditions of

the workers; and

(vi) The results of its inspection of industrial

establishments.

27-2-106. Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 63, § 3.

27-2-107. Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 63, § 3.

27-2-108. Right of entry.

The director of the department of workforce services may

designate employees of the department who shall have power to

enter any manufacturing establishment, mill, workshop, office,

bakery, laundry, store, hotel, theater, hall, or any public or

private works where labor is employed, rooms are rented to the

public, or machinery is used, for the purpose of enforcing the

provisions of this act.

27-2-109. Examination of witnesses.

(a) The director of the department of workforce services

may designate employees of the department who shall have the

power to administer oaths, to examine witnesses under oath, to

compel the attendance of witnesses and the giving of testimony

in any part of this state.

(b) Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 63, § 3; ch. 71, § 2.

(d) Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 63, § 3; ch. 71, § 2.

(e) Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 63, § 3; ch. 71, § 2.

(f) Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 63, § 3; ch. 71, § 2.

(g) Except as otherwise provided by law, final agency

decisions of the department of workforce services with regard to

chapters 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 of title 27, shall be issued only

after an opportunity for hearing pursuant to the Wyoming

Administrative Procedure Act. Any party aggrieved by a final

agency decision of the department of workforce services with

regards to chapters 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 of title 27, shall have

the right to appeal to district court pursuant to the Wyoming

Administrative Procedure Act.

27-2-110. Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 63, § 3.

27-2-111. Repealed By Laws 2002, Ch. 100, § 4.

27-2-112. Sale of office publications; exception.

The department of workforce services may sell any publication or

other duplicated or printed material, other than the biennial

report, which it prepares and which the public may desire to

purchase.

27-2-113. Sale of office publications; limitation on

charges.

The charges made by the department of workforce services shall

not exceed the cost of materials, printing, duplication,

packaging and postage.

27-2-114. Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 63, § 3.

CHAPTER 3 - UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION

ARTICLE 1 - IN GENERAL

27-3-101. Short title.

This act is and may be cited as the "Wyoming Employment Security

Law".

27-3-102. Definitions generally.

(a) Except as otherwise provided, as used in this act:

(i) "Base period" means the first four (4) of the

last five (5) completed calendar quarters immediately preceding

the first day of an individual's benefit year or any other

twelve (12) month period specified by commission regulation. A

calendar quarter used in one (1) base period of a valid claim

shall not be used in a subsequent base period. If a combined

wage claim under W.S. 27-3-608, the base period is as provided

under law of the paying state;

(ii) "Benefit" means a payment to an individual for

unemployment under this act;

(iii) "Benefit year" means:

(A) The fifty-two (52) consecutive calendar week

period beginning the first week of a claim series established by

the filing of a valid initial claim for benefits following the

termination of any previously established benefit year; or

(B) The fifty-three (53) consecutive calendar

week period beginning the first week of a claim series if filing

a new valid claim results in the overlapping of any quarter of

the base period of a previously filed claim; or

27-3-608, the benefit year is as provided under law of the

paying state.

(iv) "Calendar quarter" means a period of three (3)

consecutive calendar months ending on March 31, June 30,

September 30 or December 31;

(v) "Commission" means the unemployment insurance

commission of Wyoming within the department of workforce

services;

(vi) "Contribution" means payments to the

unemployment compensation fund required by this act including

payments instead of contributions under W.S. 27-3-509;

(vii) "Employing unit" means any individual or type

of organization employing one (1) or more individuals in this

state including any partnership, association, trust, estate,

corporation, domestic or foreign insurance company or

corporation, a receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, trustee or a

successor or the legal representative of a deceased person and

including any limited liability corporation. Also, any

individual or organization not previously subject to this act

shall be an employing unit upon acquiring any entity already

subject to this act. An individual performing services within

this state for any employing unit maintaining two (2) or more

separate places of business in the state is employed by a single

employing unit. An individual employed to perform for or assist

any agent or employee of an employing unit is employed by the

employing unit whether hired or paid directly by the employing

unit or by the agent or employee if the employing unit had

actual or constructive knowledge of the work;

(viii) "Employment office" means a free public

employment office or branch operated by any state as part of a

state controlled system of public employment offices or by a

federal agency administering an unemployment compensation

program or a system of free public employment offices;

(ix) "Fund" means the unemployment compensation fund

established by this act;

(x) "Hospital" means any institution, building or

agency maintaining, furnishing or offering hospitalization of

the sick and injured or chronic or convalescent care by

individuals employed by the state or any political subdivision;

(xi) "Institution of higher education" means any

college or university in this state and any other public or

nonprofit educational institution:

(A) Admitting as regular students only high

school graduates or the recognized equivalent;

(B) Legally authorized to provide post secondary

education in this state; and

bachelor's or higher degree is awarded or which is accepted as

full credit toward this degree, providing a program of

postgraduate or postdoctoral study or a training program

preparing students for gainful employment in a recognized

occupation.

(xii) "Insured work" means employment for employers;

(xiii) "Nonprofit hospital" means any institution

performing services specified by paragraph (x) of this

subsection and organized and operated under W.S. 35-2-302(a)(vi)

and authority of the state department of health;

(xiv) "State" means any of the fifty (50) states of

the United States, the District of Columbia, the commonwealth of

Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands;

(xv) "Unemployment" means any week in which an

individual performs no services and receives no wages or

performs less than full-time work if wages payable for that week

are less than his weekly benefit amount and are in accordance

with regulations of the commission;

(xvi) "Valid claim" means a claim filed by an

individual earning wages for insured work in amounts specified

under W.S. 27-3-306(d) for which no misrepresentation is made of

unemployment requirements of this act;

(xvii) "United States" used in a geographical sense

means the fifty (50) states, the District of Columbia, the

commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands;

(xviii) "Wage" means remuneration payable for

services from any source including commissions, bonuses and

cash. The reasonable cash value of remuneration other than cash

or check shall be prescribed by rule of the commission. To the

extent the following are not considered wages under 26 U.S.C. §§

3301 through 3311, "wage" does not include:

(A) For purposes of W.S. 27-3-503 through

27-3-509, remuneration greater than fifty-five percent (55%) of

the statewide average annual wage calculated pursuant to W.S.

27-3-303(a) and rounded to the lowest one hundred dollars

($100.00), which is paid during any calendar year to an

individual by each employer or a predecessor within any calendar

year including employment under any other state unemployment

compensation law unless the amount is subject to a federal tax

against which credit may be taken for contributions paid into

any state unemployment fund;

(B) Any premium paid by an employing unit under

a plan, system or into a fund for insurance or annuities to

provide an employee or class of employees retirement, sickness

or accident disability, medical and hospitalization expenses for

sickness or accident disability or death benefits if the

employee cannot receive any part of this payment instead of the

death benefit or any part of the premium if the benefit is

insured and cannot assign or receive cash instead of the benefit

upon withdrawal from or termination of the plan, system, policy

or services with the employing unit;

from an employee's remuneration for the tax imposed under 26

U.S.C. § 3101;

(D) Dismissal payments which the employing unit

is not obligated to make;

(E) That portion of tips or gratuities not

reportable under 26 U.S.C. § 3306(s);

(F) The value of any meals or lodging furnished

by and for the convenience of the employer to the employee if

the meals are furnished on the business premises of the employer

or in the case of lodging, the employee is required to accept

lodging on the business premises of his employer as a condition

of his employment;

(G) Remuneration received by an employee as sick

pay following a six (6) month continuous period of illness;

(H) Any benefit under a cafeteria plan specified

by 26 U.S.C. § 125, excluding cash;

(J) Wages of a deceased worker paid to a

beneficiary or estate following the calendar year of the

worker's death;

(K) Services received under any dependent care

assistance program to the extent excluded from gross income

under 26 U.S.C. § 129;

(M) Repealed By Laws 2010, Ch. 66, § 2.

(N) Services or benefits received under any

educational assistance program;

(O) Any benefit or other value received under an

employee achievement award;

(P) The value of any qualified group legal

services plan to the extent payments are excluded from gross

income under 26 U.S.C. § 120;

(Q) Costs of group term life insurance;

(R) Repealed By Laws 2010, Ch. 66, § 2.

(S) Any moving expenses;

(T) Employer contributions to any qualified

retirement and pension plan or individual retirement account and

distributions from qualified retirement and pension plans and

annuities under 26 U.S.C. § 403(b);

(U) Benefit payments under any supplemental

unemployment compensation plan; and

(W) Any benefits paid under the Wyoming Worker's

Compensation Act or any other worker's compensation law of

another state.

(xix) "Week" means a period of seven (7) consecutive

calendar days beginning Sunday and the commission may by

regulation prescribe that a week is within the benefit year

which includes the greater part of that week;

(xx) "Department" means the divisions within the

department of workforce services established under W.S. 9-2-2002

which contain the principal operating units that administer the

unemployment compensation program pursuant to the Social

Security Act;

(xxi) "Casual labor" means service not within the

normal course of business and for which the remuneration paid is

less than fifty dollars ($50.00);

(xxii) "Erroneous payment" means a payment that, but

for the failure by the employer or the employer's agent to

provide requested information with respect to the claim for

unemployment compensation, would not have been made;

(xxiii) "Pattern of failing" means repeated

documented failure on the part of the employer or the agent of

the employer to respond to a written request from the department

for information relating to a claim for benefits, taking into

consideration the number of instances of failure in relation to

the total volume of requests by the department to the employer

or the employer's agent;

(xxiv) "Misconduct connected with work" means an act

of an employee which indicates an intentional disregard of the

employer's interests or the commonly accepted duties,

obligations and responsibilities of an employee. "Misconduct

connected with work" does not include:

(A) Ordinary negligence in isolated instances;

(B) Good faith errors in judgment or discretion;

as the result of inability or incapacity.

(xxv) "This act" means W.S. 27-3-101 through 27-3-

811.

27-3-103. "Employer" defined; qualifications; employment

services in other states included.

(a) As used in this act, "employer" means any employing

unit:

(i) For whom a worker performs service as an

employee;

(ii) Acquiring the organization, business, trade or

substantially all of the assets of an employer subject to this

act at the time of acquisition;

(iii) Electing coverage under this act pursuant to

W.S. 27-3-502(d);

(iv) Not otherwise qualifying as an employer under

this section and liable for any federal tax on services employed

against which credit may be taken for contribution payments into

any state unemployment fund;

(v) Not otherwise qualifying as an employer under

this section and as a condition for full tax credit against the

tax imposed by 26 U.S.C. §§ 3301 through 3311, is required to be

an employer under this act;

(vi) Employing services defined as employment under

W.S. 27-3-105(a)(i), except as provided by paragraphs (viii) and

(ix) of this subsection;

(vii) Employing services defined as employment under

W.S. 27-3-105(a)(ii), except as provided by subsection (b) of

this section;

(viii) Employing agricultural labor defined under

W.S. 27-3-107;

(ix) Employing domestic service defined under W.S.

27-3-107(g); or

(x) That is an Indian tribe, as defined by section

3306 of the federal Unemployment Tax Act, for which service in

employment, as defined by this act, is performed.

(b) Domestic service shall not be considered by the

department in determining if an employing unit is an employer

under paragraph (a)(i), (vi), (vii) or (viii) of this section.

Agricultural labor shall not be considered by the department in

determining if an employing unit is an employer under paragraph

(a)(i), (vi), (vii) or (ix) of this section.

performed entirely within another state pursuant to an agreement

under W.S. 27-3-608(b) and otherwise qualifying as employment

under this act.

27-3-104. "Employment" defined; generally; exceptions.

(a) As used in this act, "employment" means service:

(i) Performed by an employee defined under 26 U.S.C.

§ 3306(i) including service in interstate commerce, except 26

U.S.C. § 3121(d)(2) does not apply;

(ii) Subject to any federal tax against which credit

may be taken for contribution payments into any state

unemployment fund;

(iii) Required to be employment under this act as a

condition for full tax credit against the tax imposed by 26

U.S.C. §§ 3301 through 3311; and

(iv) Otherwise specified under W.S. 27-3-104 through

27-3-108.

(b) An individual who performs service for wages is an

employee for purposes of this act unless it is shown that the

individual:

(i) Is free from control or direction over the

details of the performance of services by contract and by fact;

(ii) Repealed by Laws 1991, ch. 153, § 1.

(iii) Repealed by Laws 1995, ch. 121, § 3.

(iv) Repealed by Laws 1995, ch. 121, § 3.

(v) Represents his services to the public as a

self-employed individual or an independent contractor; and

(vi) May substitute another individual to perform his

services.

service performed by a person acting as a fiduciary, as that

term is defined in W.S. 4-10-103(a)(vii), and receiving

reasonable compensation for fiduciary services pursuant to the

Uniform Trust Code or the Wyoming Probate Code.

27-3-105. "Employment" defined; employment for state, and

other organizations; exceptions.

(a) Employment under this act includes service performed

for:

(i) This state, any of its political subdivisions,

including service as an appointed official of any political

subdivision, or for this state and any other state or its

political subdivisions and this service is excluded from

employment under 26 U.S.C. §§ 3301 through 3311 solely by 26

U.S.C. § 3306(c)(7);

(ii) A religious, charitable, educational or other

organization if excluded from employment under 26 U.S.C. §§ 3301

through 3311 solely by 26 U.S.C. § 3306(c)(8) and the

organization employed four (4) or more individuals for part of

one (1) day for twenty (20) weeks within the current or

preceding calendar year; and

(iii) An Indian tribe, as defined by section 3306 of

the federal Unemployment Tax Act, if the service is excluded

from employment, as defined by the federal Unemployment Tax Act,

only because of the application of section 3306(c)(7) of that

act and is not otherwise excluded from employment as defined by

this act.

(b) Subsection (a) of this section does not include

service performed:

(i) For a church or convention or association of

churches;

(ii) For an organization operated primarily for

religious purposes and supervised, controlled or principally

supported by a church or convention or association of churches;

(iii) As an ordained, commissioned or licensed

minister of a church in the exercise of his ministry;

(iv) As a member of a religious order in the exercise

of required duties of the order;

(v) As an elected official;

(vi) As a member of a legislative body or the

judiciary of the state or any political subdivision;

(vii) As a member of the state national guard or air

national guard;

(viii) For a governmental agency as a temporary

employee for fire, storm, snow, earthquake, flood or similar

emergencies;

(ix) By a major nontenured policymaking or advisory

position pursuant to law or by a policymaking or advisory

position not ordinarily requiring more than eight (8) hours of

service per week;

(x) By an individual receiving rehabilitative

services from a facility providing rehabilitation programs for

individuals with impaired earning capacities because of age,

physical or mental deficiencies or injury or providing

remunerative work for individuals not readily absorbed into the

labor market because of physical or mental deficiencies;

(xi) By an individual receiving a wage as part of a

work experience or workfare program assisted or financed by the

federal government or any state or local government, except for

those programs employing an individual in on-the-job training

for which wages are wholly or partially paid by the employer;

(xii) By an inmate of a state custodial or penal

institution; or

(xiii) As an election official or election worker if

the amount of remuneration received by the individual during the

calendar year for services performed as an election official or

election worker is less than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00).

27-3-106. "Employment" defined; employment outside United

States; exceptions; "American employer" defined; localized

service specified.

(a) Employment under this act includes service performed

outside the United States except in Canada and the Virgin

Islands by a United States citizen for an American employer if:

(i) The employer's principal place of business in the

United States is located in this state;

(ii) The employer has no place of business in the

United States and is a resident of this state, a corporation

organized under state law or a partnership or trust and the

number of partners or trustees resident of this state is greater

than the number of residents of any other state;

(iii) The employer elected coverage under this act;

(iv) A claim for benefits based on this service is

filed under this act and the employer failed to elect coverage

in any state.

(b) As used in subsection (a) of this section, "American

employer" means a:

(i) Resident of the United States;

(ii) Partnership and two-thirds (2/3) or more of the

partners are residents of the United States;

(iii) Trust and the trustees are United States

residents; or

(iv) Corporation organized under federal or any state

law.

employment includes service performed in this state, both in and

outside this state or in Canada if the service is:

(i) Localized in this state;

(ii) Not localized in any state, a part of the

service is performed in this state and the base of operations is

located in this state or if the base of operations is not

located in any state, the individual is a resident of this

state; or

(iii) Not subject to the law of any state or Canada

and the service is directed or controlled from a location in

this state.

(d) Service not covered under subsection (c) of this

section, performed entirely outside this state and contributions

are not required or paid under federal or any state law is

employment under this act if the individual performing the

service is a resident of this state and the department approves

the election of the employing unit for coverage under this act.

(e) Service is localized within a state if it is performed

entirely within the state or both within and outside the state

if the service performed outside the state is incidental.

27-3-107. "Agricultural labor" defined; "farm" defined;

"crew leader" defined; when domestic services included;

exception.

(a) As used in this section, "agricultural labor" means

remunerated service performed:

(i) On a farm for any person involving cultivating

the soil or raising or harvesting any agricultural or

horticultural commodity including training and managing

livestock, bees, poultry, wildlife or furbearing animals;

(ii) For the owner, tenant or other operator of a

farm involving the maintenance of the farm and any tools and

equipment if the major part of the service is performed on the

farm;

(iii) For the operator of a farm in handling,

planting, drying, packing, packaging, processing, freezing,

grading, storing, delivering to storage or market in its

unmanufactured state or delivering to a carrier for

transportation to market, any agricultural or horticultural

commodity if the operator produced more than fifty percent (50%)

of the commodity;

(iv) For the operation or maintenance of ditches,

canals, reservoirs or waterways used exclusively for supplying

and storing water for farming purposes;

(v) In the production or harvesting of an

agricultural commodity as defined under 12 U.S.C. § 1141j(g);

(vi) For a group of farm operators or a cooperative

organization of which the operators are members for services

specified under paragraph (iii) of this subsection if the

operators produced more than fifty percent (50%) of the

commodity. This paragraph does not apply to service involving

commercial canning, commercial freezing or any agricultural or

horticultural commodity after delivery to a terminal market for

distribution for consumption.

(b) As used in subsection (a) of this section, "farm"

means stock, dairy, poultry, fruit and furbearing animal

operations, truck farms, ranches, nurseries, ranges, orchards,

greenhouses and other operations primarily engaged in the

raising of agricultural or horticultural commodities.

is performed for a person who:

(i) Paid cash wages of twenty thousand dollars

($20,000.00) or more during any calendar quarter in the current

or preceding calendar year to individuals employed in

agricultural labor; or

(ii) Employed ten (10) or more individuals in

agricultural labor for a part of one (1) day for twenty (20)

calendar weeks within the current or preceding calendar year.

(d) For purposes of this section, any member of a crew

furnished by a crew leader to perform service in agricultural

labor for any other person is an employee of the crew leader if:

(i) The crew leader is certified under 29 U.S.C. 1801

through 1872; or

(ii) Substantially all crew members operate or

maintain tractors, mechanized harvesting or crop dusting

equipment or other mechanized equipment provided by the crew

leader; and

(iii) The individual is not an employee of any other

person under W.S. 27-3-104 through 27-3-108.

(e) As used in this section, "crew leader" means an

individual who:

(i) Furnishes individuals to perform agricultural

labor for any other person;

(ii) Pays for himself or for others the cash wages of

individuals furnished by him for agricultural labor; and

(iii) Has not entered into a written agreement with

the other person designating the individuals as employees of

that person.

(f) If an individual furnished by a crew leader to perform

agricultural labor for another person is not an employee of the

crew leader pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, the

other person is the employer and shall pay cash wages of the

individual equal to the amount paid by the crew leader for the

service performed for that person.

(g) Employment under this act includes domestic service

performed for a person in a private home, local college club or

local chapter of a college fraternity or sorority for which cash

wages of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or more are paid for

any calendar quarter of the current or preceding calendar year.

(h) Service performed during any period in which

exemptions from federal unemployment tax liability are provided

for under 26 U.S.C. § 3306(c)(1)(B) including any amendments or

extensions thereto, by an alien admitted to the United States to

perform service in agricultural labor under 8 U.S.C. §§ 1101

through 1503, is exempt from this section.

27-3-108. Services excluded from scope of employment.

(a) Employment under this act does not include service

performed:

(i) By an individual for his spouse or child or by a

person under twenty-one (21) years of age for his parent or for

a partnership consisting only of his parents;

(ii) For the federal government or any federal agency

exempt from this act by federal constitution, except service for

those agencies otherwise required by law to contribute to any

state unemployment compensation fund;

(iii) For an employer or employee representative

defined under 45 U.S.C. § 351 et seq. unless an agreement is in

effect pursuant to W.S. 27-3-608;

(iv) By an individual under the age of eighteen (18)

or as a direct seller or independent contractor in the business

of distributing or delivering newspapers or shopping news

excluding the delivery or distribution at any point for further

delivery or distribution but including directly related services

such as soliciting customers and collecting receipts, provided:

(A) All or substantially all of the individual's

pay for the service, whether or not paid in cash, directly

relates to sales or other output rather than to the number of

hours worked; and

(B) The individual performs the service under a

written contract with the newspaper or shopping news publisher

which specifies that the individual will not be treated as an

employee with respect to the services for federal tax purposes.

(v) As real estate activity under W.S.

33-28-102(b)(xlv) by a responsible broker, associate broker or

salesperson licensed under the Real Estate License Act, W.S.

33-28-101 through 33-28-401;

(vi) In the employ of a school, college or university

by a student enrolled and regularly attending the school,

college or university or by the spouse of a student if the

spouse is informed at the time employed that employment is

provided under a financial assistance program and the employment

is not covered by unemployment compensation;

(vii) By an individual enrolled in a full-time

program of an educational institution combining academic

instruction with work experience if the service is an integral

part of the program and is certified by the institution to the

employer. This paragraph does not apply to service performed in

a program established for an employer or group of employers;

(viii) By a hospital patient employed by the

hospital;

(ix) In a barber shop licensed under W.S. 33-7-108 or

salon licensed under W.S. 33-12-127 if:

(A) Use of shop facilities by an individual

performing services is contingent upon payment of a flat rate of

compensation to the shop owner; and

(B) The individual performing services receives

no compensation from the shop owner for services performed.

(x) By an individual who is the owner and operator of

a motor vehicle which is leased or contracted with driver to a

for-hire common or contract carrier. The owner-operator shall

not be an employee for purposes of this act if he performs the

service pursuant to a contract which provides that the

owner-operator shall not be treated as an employee for purposes

of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act, the Social Security

Act, the Federal Unemployment Tax Act and income tax withholding

at source;

(xi) Services performed as casual labor;

(xii) Repealed By Laws 2010, Ch. 66, § 2.

(xiii) By a member of a limited liability company,

unless the limited liability company elects coverage in

accordance with W.S. 27-3-502(d).

27-3-109. Amendment and repeal; vested rights denied.

The legislature reserves the right to amend, modify or repeal

all or any part of the Wyoming Employment Security Law at any

time. There is no vested private right of any kind under this

act.

ARTICLE 2 - FUND ADMINISTRATION

27-3-201. Establishment and composition of unemployment

compensation fund.

(a) The unemployment compensation fund is established and

shall be administered by the department for purposes of this

act.

(b) The fund shall consist of:

(i) Contributions collected under this act, excluding

revenues for the employment support fund under W.S. 27-3-505(a);

(ii) Funds received under 42 U.S.C. § 1321;

(iii) Interest earned on the fund balance;

(iv) Any property or securities acquired by the fund

and any earnings of the acquired property or securities;

(v) Any other funds received for the fund from any

other source; and

(vi) Funds credited to Wyoming's account in the

unemployment trust fund pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1103.

27-3-202. Administration of fund.

(a) The department is the custodian of the fund and shall

administer the fund and issue warrants upon the fund in

accordance with the directions of the department or regulations

of the commission. The state treasurer shall maintain a clearing

account, an unemployment trust fund account and a benefit

account separately within the fund as specified by the

department.

(b) All funds payable to the fund shall be deposited by

the department or its authorized representative in the clearing

account, with receipt and acknowledgement submitted to the state

treasurer. In addition, all funds collected from the employment

support fund under W.S. 27-3-505(a) shall be deposited by the

department in the clearing account, for clearance only, and

shall not become a part of the fund. After clearance, funds

collected for the employment support fund under W.S. 27-3-505(a)

shall be deposited in the employment support fund created by

W.S. 27-3-211. Thereafter, refunds payable pursuant to W.S.

27-3-515 may be paid from the clearing account upon warrants

issued by the state auditor under regulation of the commission.

Remaining funds in the clearing account shall be immediately

deposited with the United States secretary of the treasury in

Wyoming's account within the unemployment trust fund established

pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1104(e).

from Wyoming's account in the unemployment trust fund. Funds

shall be withdrawn from Wyoming's account only for the payment

of benefits in accordance with regulations of the commission,

except as provided by W.S. 27-3-204. The department shall

withdraw funds from the unemployment trust fund in amounts

necessary to pay benefits for a reasonable future period.

Withdrawals from the unemployment trust fund shall not exceed

the balance of Wyoming's account within the trust fund. Upon

receipt, the department shall deposit the funds in the benefit

account, with receipt and acknowledgement submitted to the state

treasurer, and shall issue warrants for the payment of benefits

from the benefit account. Any funds remaining unclaimed or

unpaid in the benefit account after the expiration of the period

for which they were withdrawn shall be deducted from estimates

and used for the payment of benefits during succeeding periods

or deposited with the United States secretary of the treasury in

Wyoming's account in the unemployment trust fund.

(d) Except as otherwise provided by this act, the

department may deposit funds of the clearing and benefit

accounts, under regulation of the commission and separate from

other state funds, in an approved public depository in the

manner provided by W.S. 9-4-801 through 9-4-815. Any collateral

pledged for this purpose shall be separate from collateral

pledged to secure other state funds. All funds recovered from

losses sustained by the fund shall be deposited into the fund.

The department may request an examination of any return or

report of a national banking association required by this act

pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 3305(c).

(e) Warrants for payment of benefits and refunds from the

benefit and clearing accounts shall be signed by the state

auditor and the department or its authorized agent.

27-3-203. Discontinuance or nonmaintenance of fund;

disposition of assets.

If the unemployment trust fund is discontinued or Wyoming's

account is no longer maintained, the provisions of W.S. 27-3-201

and 27-3-202 relating to the unemployment trust fund are no

longer effective. All funds, properties or securities of the

Wyoming unemployment compensation fund shall be transferred to

the state treasurer. The treasurer shall hold, invest, transfer,

sell, deposit and release the funds, properties or securities in

a manner approved by the commission in accordance with law and

this act. Any investment shall allow sufficient conversion of

fund assets for payment of benefits.

27-3-204. Withdrawal funds credited to federal

unemployment trust fund.

(a) Funds credited to Wyoming's account in the

unemployment trust fund pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1103 may be

withdrawn only for the payment of benefits and expenses for the

administration of this act pursuant to this section except as

provided by W.S. 27-3-208 and for the payment of expenses for

the administration of public employment offices administered by

the department of workforce services pursuant to W.S.

9-2-2601(e).

(b) Funds shall be withdrawn for administrative expenses

by legislative appropriation. The appropriation shall:

(i) Specify the amounts and purposes for which the

funds are appropriated;

(ii) Limit the period in which the funds may be

obligated to not more than two (2) years after the date of

enactment; and

(iii) Limit the amount which may be obligated to an

amount which does not exceed the amount by which the amounts

transferred to Wyoming's account pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1103

exceed the aggregate of the amounts used by Wyoming pursuant to

this act and charged against the amounts transferred to

Wyoming's account.

pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the employment

security administration account and shall remain a part of the

unemployment fund until spent. The department shall maintain a

separate record of the deposit, obligation, expenditure and

return of funds deposited. Any funds deposited and not spent for

purposes specified within the legislative appropriation or

remaining at the expiration of the period specified by the

appropriation shall be deposited with the United States

secretary of the treasury in Wyoming's account in the

unemployment trust fund.

27-3-205. Employment security administration account.

(a) The employment security administration account is

established and shall be administered by the department. The

department, with receipt and acknowledgement submitted to the

state treasurer, may deposit funds within the account separate

from other state funds in an approved public depository in

accordance with W.S. 9-4-801 through 9-4-815. Funds deposited

into the account are available to the department for expenditure

in accordance with this act and shall not be transferred to any

other account. Account expenditures, except funds received

pursuant to W.S. 27-3-204, shall be only for the payment of

necessary administrative expenses of this act as determined by

the United States secretary of labor and for the establishment

and maintenance of public employment offices pursuant to W.S.

9-2-2601(e). All funds deposited into the account pursuant to

W.S. 27-3-204 shall remain a part of the unemployment

compensation fund and shall be used in accordance with W.S.

27-3-204.

(b) The account shall consist of:

(i) Funds appropriated by the legislature, funds

received under 29 U.S.C. § 49 et seq. and other federal funds

and funds received from any other source for purposes specified

in this section;

(ii) Federal funds and funds from any other state

received as compensation for services or facilities supplied

from the account;

(iii) Funds from any surety bond, insurance policy or

other source for losses sustained by the account including

damage to equipment or supplies purchased by the account; and

(iv) Any proceeds from the sale or disposition of

equipment or supplies purchased by the account.

27-3-206. Replacement of certain funds; how implemented;

reports.

The state shall replace any federal funds received under 42

U.S.C. § 501 et seq., any funds granted to the state under 29

U.S.C. § 49 et seq. and any funds of the state or any political

subdivision which are matched by federal funds under 29 U.S.C. §

49 et seq. and found by the federal government to be lost or

spent for purposes other than or in amounts in excess of those

amounts necessary for the administration of this act.

Replacement of funds pursuant to this section shall be by

legislative appropriation from the state general fund to the

employment security administration account for expenditure as

provided by W.S. 27-3-205. The department shall report to the

governor and the governor to the legislature through the report

required under W.S. 9-2-1014 the amount required for the

replacement.

27-3-207. Employment security revenue account.

(a) The employment security revenue account is created as

a separate account in the employment security administration

account. Monies within the account may only be expended by

legislative appropriation. The account shall be used:

(i) To replace any funds pursuant to W.S. 27-3-206;

(ii) For necessary expenses of this act for which no

federal funds are available provided the expenditures from the

account are not substituted for federal funds which would

otherwise be available; and

(iii) Instead of federal funds requested but not

received provided the account is reimbursed upon receipt of

requested federal funds.

(b) Notwithstanding W.S. 27-3-201, 27-3-202 and 27-3-205,

the employment security revenue account shall consist of:

(i) Interest collected under W.S. 27-3-510(a) and

deposited in the clearing account, provided a sufficient balance

is kept within the clearing account to pay interest refunds; and

(ii) All federal funds accruing to the Wyoming

unemployment trust fund with the United States secretary of the

treasury under 26 U.S.C. § 3301 et seq. which are for

administrative purposes.

pursuant to paragraph (b)(ii) of this section may be withdrawn

according to procedures established by the United States

secretary of the treasury.

27-3-208. Advances from federal unemployment trust fund.

(a) The governor may apply for and receive advances to the

state of Wyoming from its account in the federal unemployment

trust fund and shall be responsible for the advances in

accordance with the conditions specified in Title XII of the

"Social Security Act", as amended, in order to secure to Wyoming

the advantages available under that title.

(b) Principal repayments shall only be made from federal

revenues credited to or received by Wyoming under this act or

interfund borrowing under section 5 of this act [Laws 1983, Sp.

Sess., ch. 2, § 5, as amended by Laws 1984, ch. 50, § 2] and

repayments of interest, if any, shall only be made from revenues

available by a legislative appropriation for that purpose or

interfund borrowings under section 5 of this act [Laws 1983, Sp.

Sess., ch. 2, § 5, as amended by Laws 1984, ch. 50, § 2].

27-3-209. State unemployment insurance trust fund

established.

(a) There is established the state unemployment insurance

trust fund. All state unemployment insurance contributions

collected under W.S. 27-3-503 through 27-3-505, less refunds,

shall be deposited into the fund and held in trust for the sole

and exclusive use of payment on unemployment insurance benefits.

The state treasurer shall invest available revenues in the fund

in accordance with law, and earnings from those investments

shall be credited to the workforce development training fund

established in W.S. 9-2-2604.

(b) The director may determine when and in what amounts

withdrawals from the state unemployment insurance trust fund for

payment of benefits are necessary.

dissolved, all money then in that fund, less earnings, shall be

immediately transferred to the credit of the state's account in

the unemployment compensation fund, regardless of other

provisions of law. The governor may dissolve the state

unemployment insurance trust fund if he finds it to be

unnecessary based upon the solvency of the unemployment

compensation fund and need for training for Wyoming workers.

(d) Earnings from the investment of the state unemployment

insurance trust fund may be credited to the workforce

development training fund established in W.S. 9-2-2604 in

amounts determined by the director, subject to the limitations

of this subsection. If the balance of the state unemployment

insurance trust fund at the end of the fiscal year is less than

the balance of the fund on July 1, 2023:

(i) A portion of the earnings from the investment of

the fund shall be retained in the fund until the balance of the

fund is restored to the balance of the fund on July 1, 2023; and

(ii) The annual amount of earnings retained shall be

not less than fifty percent (50%) of the annual earnings or the

amount necessary to restore the balance of the fund to the

balance of the fund on July 1, 2023, whichever is less.

27-3-210. Repealed By Laws 2002, Ch. 100, § 4.

27-3-211. Employment support fund established.

(a) There is established the employment support fund.

Revenues allocated pursuant to W.S. 27-3-505(a) shall be

credited to the employment support fund by the department, with

receipt and acknowledgement submitted to the state treasurer.

The state treasurer shall invest available revenues in the fund

in accordance with law, and earnings from those investments

shall be credited to the fund. Notwithstanding W.S. 9-2-1008

and 9-4-207, the monies in the employment support fund shall not

revert.

(b) Monies from the employment support fund shall be

expended only upon appropriation by the legislature and shall be

withdrawn solely for unemployment compensation benefits or

administrative expenses to:

(i) Offset funding deficits for program

administration under this act;

(ii) Collect and administer the revenues collected

under W.S. 27-3-505(a);

(iii) Further support programs to strengthen

unemployment fund solvency;

(iv) Support employment office programs administered

by the department of workforce services.

appropriations committee and the joint labor, health and social

services interim committee not later than September 1 of each

year on the status of the employment support fund, detailing

fund expenditures and the fund's current balance.

ARTICLE 3 - BENEFITS

27-3-301. Definitions.

(a) As used in this article:

(i) "Additional benefits" means benefits payable

under state law to exhaustees due to high unemployment

conditions or other special factors and totally financed by any

state;

(ii) "Applicable benefit year" means an individual's

most recent benefit year or an individual's current benefit year

if at the time of filing a claim for extended benefits his

benefit year is unexpired only in the state in which filing;

(iii) "Eligibility period" means those weeks in an

individual's benefit year beginning in an extended benefit

period and if his benefit year ends within the extended benefit

period, any weeks beginning in this period;

(iv) "Extended benefits" means benefits payable to an

individual under this article for weeks of unemployment in his

eligibility period including benefits payable to federal

employees and veterans under 5 U.S.C. § 8501 et seq.;

(v) "Most recent benefit year" means the benefit year

with the latest ending date for individuals filing a claim for

extended benefits with unexpired benefit years in more than one

(1) state or, if the benefit years have the same ending date,

the benefit year in which the latest continued claim for regular

benefits was filed;

(vi) "Regular benefits" means benefits, excluding

extended and additional benefits, payable to an individual under

this act or any other state law including dependent's allowances

and benefits payable to federal employees or veterans under 5

U.S.C. § 8501 et seq.;

(vii) "State law" means the unemployment insurance

law of any state approved by the United States secretary of

labor under 26 U.S.C. § 3304.

27-3-302. Payment; liability.

(a) Benefits provided by this article are payable from the

unemployment compensation fund established by W.S. 27-3-201. All

benefits shall be paid through department offices in accordance

with regulations of the commission.

(b) The department is liable for benefit payments only to

the extent provided by this act and to the extent that funds are

available within the fund.

27-3-303. Weekly amount; computation; payment.

(a) Subject to subsection (d) of this section, the weekly

benefit amount for an eligible individual is four percent (4%)

of his total wages payable for insured work in that quarter of

his base period in which his wages were highest computed to the

next lower multiple of one dollar ($1.00). The amount shall not

be more than the statewide weekly wage multiplied by fifty-five

percent (55%) and computed to the next lower multiple of one

dollar ($1.00). The statewide weekly wage is the total wages

reported by employers, excluding the limitation on the amount of

wages subject to contributions under this act, for employment

during the calendar year preceding June 1 divided by the product

of fifty-two (52) times the twelve (12) month average of the

number of employees in the pay period and rounded to the nearest

cent. The statewide average annual wage is the total wages

reported by employers, excluding the limitation on the amount of

wages subject to contributions under this act, for employment

during the calendar year preceding June 1 divided by the twelve

(12) month average of the number of employees in the pay period

and rounded to the nearest cent. The pay period reported by

employers shall include the twelfth day of each month during the

same year. The minimum and maximum weekly benefit paid under

this subsection to any individual applies only to the benefit

year beginning on or after July 1.

(b) Repealed by Laws 1985, ch. 175, § 3.

paid his weekly benefit for that week less any earnings payable

to him for that week which exceeds fifty percent (50%) of his

weekly benefit amount. The reported earnings and resulting

payment shall be computed to the next lower multiple of one

dollar ($1.00).

(d) Effective April 1, 1984, and any other time

thereafter, when the revenues in the fund excluding legislative

appropriations and interfund borrowing are certified by the

governor to be inadequate to pay the benefits computed as

provided in subsection (a) of this section and inadequate to

repay interfund or federal loans, the weekly benefit of any

individual whose benefits computed under subsection (a) of this

section would equal or exceed ninety dollars ($90.00) per week

shall be reduced to eighty-five percent (85%) of that computed

under subsection (a) of this section rounded to the next lower

multiple of one dollar ($1.00). No individual receiving benefits

of ninety dollars ($90.00) or more per week shall receive less

than ninety dollars ($90.00) per week because of the reduction

provided under this subsection. The reduced benefits shall

continue until the governor and the state treasurer certify to

the department that the fund is adequately solvent to pay the

benefits computed under subsection (a) of this section. A

reduction in an individual's weekly benefit amount resulting

from the imposition of this provision will not increase the

number of full weeks of benefits to which the individual would

otherwise have been entitled had the provision not been invoked.

The amounts paid under this subsection shall be in complete

satisfaction of a claimant's rights and benefits under this act.

(e) Repealed by Laws 2023, ch. 165, § 2.

27-3-304. Maximum payment.

Except as provided by W.S. 27-3-316, the maximum amount of

benefits payable to any eligible individual in a benefit year

shall not exceed twenty-six (26) times his weekly benefit or

thirty percent (30%) of his wages payable for insured work in

his base period, whichever is less. This amount shall be

computed to the next higher multiple of his weekly benefit.

27-3-305. Disclosure of child support obligations

required; notification; amount withheld; payment; applicability

of provisions.

(a) An individual filing a new claim for benefits payable

under this act shall disclose if he owes child support

obligations enforced pursuant to a plan described in 42 U.S.C. §

654 and approved under 42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq. If the individual

owes child support obligations and is eligible for benefits, the

department shall notify the state or local child support

enforcement agency operating pursuant to a plan described in 42

U.S.C. § 654 and enforcing the obligation that the individual is

eligible for benefits.

(b) The department shall withhold from benefits payable to

an individual owing child support obligations enforced pursuant

to a plan approved under 42 U.S.C. § 651, et seq.:

(i) Repealed By Laws 2005, ch.186, § 3.

(ii) The amount determined pursuant to an agreement

under 42 U.S.C. § 654(19)(B)(i) and submitted to the department

by the state or local child support enforcement agency.

(iii) Repealed By Laws 2005, ch. 186, § 3.

section shall be paid by the department to the appropriate state

or local child support enforcement agency, treated as if paid to

the individual as benefits under this act and as if paid by the

individual to the state or local child support enforcement

agency in satisfaction of his child support obligations.

(d) This section applies only if arrangements are made for

reimbursement by the state or local child support enforcement

agency for administrative costs incurred by the department

attributable to child support obligations enforced by the agency

and if the obligations are being enforced pursuant to a plan

approved under 42 U.S.C. § 651, et seq.

27-3-306. Eligibility requirements; waiver or amendment

authorized; unemployed waiting period; registration and referral

for suitable work.

(a) An unemployed individual is eligible for benefits

under this article for any week if he:

(i) Registers for work with the department of

workforce services and actively seeks work in accordance with

regulations of the commission, unless he will be recalled to

full-time work:

(A) By an employer who paid fifty percent (50%)

or more of his base period wages;

(B) Within twelve (12) weeks by an employer.

(ii) Files a benefit claim for that week in

accordance with regulations of the commission;

(iii) Is able and available for work;

(iv) Repealed By Laws 2005, ch. 186, § 3.

(v) Earned wages for insured work in amounts

specified by subsection (d) of this section;

(vi) As a corporate officer, is unemployed, certifies

unemployment and otherwise satisfies the requirements of this

subsection;

(vii) Continues to report to a department office in

accordance with regulations of the commission; and

(viii) Participates in reemployment services such as

job search assistance services if the individual is determined

to be likely to exhaust regular benefits and to require

reemployment services pursuant to a profiling system established

by the department, unless the department determines:

(A) The individual has completed reemployment

services; or

(B) There is justifiable cause for the

claimant's failure to participate in these services.

(b) The commission may by regulation waive or amend the

requirements of this section for individuals attached to regular

work or other situations in which these requirements are

inconsistent with this act. Regulations of the commission shall

not conflict with W.S. 27-3-303.

(d) To qualify under paragraph (a)(v) of this section, an

individual shall have earned:

(i) Wages for insured work during his base period of

not less than eight percent (8%) of the statewide average annual

wage computed under W.S. 27-3-303(a) rounded to the lowest fifty

dollars ($50.00);

(ii) Repealed by Laws 1993, ch. 19, § 2.

(iii) Wages for insured work of one and four-tenths

(1.4) times the high quarter earnings in his base period; and

(iv) Not less than eight (8) times the weekly benefit

amount of his current claim for services after the beginning of

the next preceding benefit year in which benefits were received.

This paragraph applies only if the base period is the first four

(4) of the last five (5) completed calendar quarters immediately

preceding the first day of the benefit year. Services under this

paragraph must be performed in an employer-employee relationship

but are not required to qualify as employment under W.S.

27-3-104 through 27-3-108.

(e) The department of workforce services shall register

and refer eligible benefit claimants under this article to

suitable work meeting criteria prescribed by W.S. 27-3-312 for

regular benefits and by W.S. 27-3-317(e) for extended benefits.

27-3-307. Eligibility when enrolled in approved training

program; standards for training program approval.

(a) Notwithstanding W.S. 27-3-306(a)(i) and (iii) or

27-3-311(a)(ii) and (iii) or any federal law relating to

availability for, active search for, failure to apply for or

refusal to accept suitable work, an otherwise eligible

individual is eligible for benefits for any week if he is:

(i) Enrolled in a training program approved by the

department pursuant to subsection (b) of this section; or

(ii) In training approved under federal law.

(b) Standards for training program approval under

subsection (a) of this section are:

(i) Licensed or accredited by the appropriate agency;

(ii) Preparation for job skills for occupations with

good employment opportunities;

(iii) Individual interest, aptitude and motivation

determined necessary by the department to complete the course

successfully;

(iv) Regular class attendance, satisfactory progress

in course work and individual compliance with other training

requirements of the institution;

(v) Training is to prepare an individual for entry

level or upgraded employment in a recognized skilled vocational

or technical occupation and such training is designed to

facilitate the learning of particular skills; and

(vi) Current skills of the individual are obsolete or

offer minimal employment opportunities.

eligible individual is eligible for benefits in any week if he:

(i) Is in training approved under federal law; or

(ii) Left work to enter approved training if the work

is not suitable, as defined under federal law.

(d) Notwithstanding W.S. 27-3-306(a)(i) and (iii) or

27-3-311(a)(i) through (iii) or any federal law relating to

availability for, active search for, failure to apply for or

refusal to accept suitable work, an otherwise eligible

individual is eligible for benefits for any week if he is not

receiving wages or compensation while participating in training

in an apprenticeship program approved by the department if he:

(i) Is attending instruction related to the program

when the instruction does not exceed eight (8) weeks during the

benefit year of the individual and the attendance in the

instruction is required as a condition of the individual's

continued enrollment in the apprenticeship program;

(ii) Provides the department with a copy of his

apprenticeship agreement;

(iii) Files claims in accordance with the rules of

the department;

(iv) Establishes to the satisfaction of the

department that the training is an approved apprenticeship

program; and

(v) Has his most recent employer approve his

participation in the training.

27-3-308. Services excluded for eligibility.

(a) An individual is not eligible for benefits based on

service:

(i) In an instructional, research or principal

administrative capacity for an educational institution for any

week of unemployment beginning between two (2) successive

academic years, two (2) regular terms whether or not successive

or during a paid sabbatical leave and he has a reasonable

assurance to perform services in any such capacity for any

educational institution in the second academic year or term or

end of the paid sabbatical leave;

(ii) In any other capacity for any educational

institution for weeks of unemployment beginning September 3,

1982, and thereafter for any week of unemployment beginning

between two (2) successive academic years or terms if he is

employed in the first academic year or term with a reasonable

assurance for employment in the second year or term for any

educational institution. If compensation is denied to any

individual under this paragraph and he was not offered an

opportunity to perform services for the educational institution

for the second academic year or term, the individual is entitled

to retroactive payment of compensation for each week he filed a

timely claim for compensation but was denied compensation solely

because of this paragraph;

(iii) For training, preparing and participating in

sporting or athletic events for any week of unemployment

beginning between two (2) successive seasons or periods if he is

employed in the first season or period with reasonable assurance

of employment in the second season or period.

(b) With respect to any service described in paragraphs

(a)(i) and (ii) of this section, benefits are not payable on the

basis of services in any such capacities to any individual for

any week which commences during an established and customary

vacation period or holiday recess if the individual performs the

services in the period immediately before the vacation period or

holiday recess, and there is a reasonable assurance that the

individual will perform the services in the period immediately

following the vacation period or holiday recess. With respect

to any services described in paragraphs (a)(i) and (ii) of this

section, and in this subsection, benefits shall not be payable

on the basis of services in any such capacities as specified in

paragraphs (a)(i) and (ii) of this section, and in this

subsection, to any individual who performed the services in an

educational institution while in the employ of an educational

service agency and who has a reasonable assurance of continued

employment with an educational service agency. For purposes of

this subsection, "educational service agency" means a

governmental agency or governmental entity which is established

and operated exclusively for the purpose of providing the

services to one (1) or more educational institutions. With

respect to services to which W.S. 27-3-105(a)(i) and (ii)

applies, if the services are provided to or on behalf of an

educational institution, benefits shall not be payable under the

same circumstances and subject to the same terms and conditions

as described in paragraphs (a)(i) and (ii) of this section and

this subsection.

27-3-309. Eligibility of aliens; standard of proof

required.

(a) Benefits shall not be payable on the basis of services

performed by an alien unless the alien was lawfully admitted for

permanent residence in the United States at the time the

services were performed, was lawfully present for purposes of

performing the services, or was permanently residing in the

United States under color of law at the time the services were

performed, pursuant to section 212(d)(5) of the Immigration and

Nationality Act.

(b) Information necessary to determine alien status for

benefit eligibility shall be uniformly required of all benefit

applicants. Determination of benefit eligibility under this

section shall be by a preponderance of the evidence.

27-3-310. Eligibility after receiving worker's

compensation.

Notwithstanding requirements for the base period and other

compensation factors provided under this act, an individual

receiving compensation under the Wyoming Worker's Compensation

Act for a continuous period of sickness or injury resulting in

temporary total disability and otherwise eligible for benefits

under this article may preserve unused wage credits for the four

(4) completed calendar quarters immediately preceding the date

identified as the date of injury under the Wyoming Worker's

Compensation Act. Benefit rights shall not be preserved unless a

benefit claim is filed within sixty (60) calendar days following

the date notice is mailed to the claimant that he is no longer

eligible to receive temporary total disability benefits pursuant

to W.S. 27-14-404(c) and within the thirty-six (36) month period

immediately following the date of injury.

27-3-311. Disqualifications from entitlement; grounds;

forfeiture.

(a) An individual shall be disqualified from benefit

entitlement beginning with the effective date of an otherwise

valid claim or the week during which the failure occurred, until

he has been employed in an employee-employer relationship and

has earned at least eight (8) times the weekly benefit amount of

his current claim for services after that date, if the

department finds that he:

(i) Left his most recent work voluntarily without

good cause attributable directly to his employment, except:

(A) For bona fide medical reasons involving his

health;

(B) If returning to approved training which

meets the requirements of W.S. 27-3-307;

result of being a victim of documented domestic violence; or

(D) If unemployed as a result of relocation due

to the transfer of the unemployed individual's spouse, either

within or outside the state, from which it is impractical to

commute to the place of employment, and upon arrival at the new

residence, the individual is in all respects able and available

for suitable work and registers for work with the department of

workforce services or an equivalent agency of another state

where the individual is residing. To qualify under this

subparagraph, the individual shall be married to a member of the

United States armed forces whose relocation is the result of an

assignment on active duty as defined in 10 U.S.C. 101(d)(1),

active guard or reserve duty as defined in 10 U.S.C. 101(d)(6),

active duty pursuant to title 10 of the United States Code, or

training or other duty performed by a member of the army

national guard of the United States or the air national guard of

the United States under section 316, 502, 503, 504 or 505 of

title 32 of the United States Code. Any benefits awarded under

this subparagraph shall be noncharged benefits and shall not

affect an employer's experience rating account.

(ii) Failed without good cause to apply for available

suitable work;

(iii) Failed without good cause to accept any offer

of suitable work;

(iv) Repealed by Laws 1983, Sp. Sess., ch. 2, § 3.

(v) Following four (4) weeks of unemployment, failed

to apply for or accept an offer of suitable work other than in

his customary occupation offering at least fifty percent (50%)

of the compensation of his previous insured work in his

customary occupation; or

(vi) Following twelve (12) weeks of unemployment, as

a member of a labor organization fails to apply for or accept

suitable nonunion work in his customary occupation.

(vii) Repealed by Laws 2003, Ch. 73, § 2.

(b) Repealed by Laws 1983, Sp. Sess., ch. 2, § 2.

(d) Repealed by Laws 1985, ch. 175, § 3.

(e) Any person who knowingly files a claim for benefits

which contains a false statement or misrepresentation of a

material fact, as determined by the department, shall be

disqualified from receiving benefits for a fifty-two (52) week

period beginning the week in which the false statement or

misrepresentation was made or beginning the week following the

date that notice of the overpayment is mailed to the person who

filed the claim.

(f) An individual shall be disqualified from benefit

entitlement beginning with the effective date of an otherwise

valid claim or the week during which the failure occurred, until

he has been employed in an employee-employer relationship and

has earned at least twelve (12) times the weekly benefit amount

of his current claim for services after that date, if the

department finds that he was discharged from his most recent

work for misconduct connected with his work.

27-3-312. Determination of suitable work.

(a) In determining if work is suitable for purposes of

W.S. 27-3-311(a), the department shall consider:

(i) The risk involved to an individual's health,

safety and morals;

(ii) The individual's physical fitness;

(iii) The length of unemployment of the individual;

(iv) The prospects for securing local employment in

the individual's customary occupation;

(v) The distance of available employment from the

individual's residence; and

(vi) If the individual is capable of performing the

work.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this act, work

is not suitable if:

(i) It is available because of a strike, lockout or

other labor dispute;

(ii) The wages, hours or other conditions are

substantially less favorable for the individual than those

prevailing for similar work within the locality; or

(iii) An individual is required to join a company

union or resign from or refrain from joining any bona fide labor

organization as a condition for employment.

27-3-313. Other grounds for disqualification.

(a) For any week with respect to which the following

situations occur or payments have been or will be received, an

individual shall be disqualified from benefit entitlement if:

(i) Total or part total unemployment for any week is

due to work stoppage resulting from a labor dispute on the

employment premises at which he was last employed. This

paragraph does not apply if the department finds the individual

is not participating in, financing or directly interested in the

labor dispute and is not a member of a grade or class of workers

with members employed on the premises and participating in,

financing or directly interested in the dispute. If separate

types of work commonly conducted as separate businesses in

separate premises are conducted in separate departments of the

same premises, each department is a separate premises under this

paragraph;

(ii) Repealed By Laws 2003, Ch. 73, § 2.

(iii) Unemployment benefits are applied for or

received under law of another state or the federal government.

This paragraph does not apply if the other state or the federal

government determines the individual is not entitled to benefits

or to benefits received under an agreement between this state

and the federal government pursuant to law;

(iv) Self-employed for profit in an independently

established trade, occupation, profession or business for more

than three (3) days in any week or net earnings from

self-employment are in excess of the weekly benefit amount. If

net earnings computed to the next lower multiple of one dollar

($1.00) are less than the weekly benefit amount, the individual

is entitled to an amount reduced by the net earnings;

(v) Retirement annuities, pensions or other payments

are received from a base period employer or any trust or fund

contributed to by a base period employer, and the individual

made no contribution to the annuity, pension or other payment.

Lump sum payments of retirement annuities, pensions or other

payments which are rolled over into other private funds and

which are not deemed income by the internal revenue service

shall not be deducted under this subsection. If the payments

decreased to the next lower multiple of one dollar ($1.00) are

less than the weekly benefit amount otherwise due under this

article, the individual is entitled to benefits in an amount

reduced by the payments.

(b) Payments received under this section shall be

allocated pursuant to the regulations of the commission.

entitlement during any week for which the individual has filed a

claim for benefits and remuneration is received as a severance

payment, termination allowance, sick pay or earned vacation. If

the remuneration decreased to the next lower multiple of one

dollar ($1.00) is less than the weekly benefit amount, the

amount of the payment shall be deducted from the amount of

benefits the individual would otherwise be entitled to receive

during that week.

27-3-314. Extended benefit period; state "on" and "off"

indicators; notice.

(a) An extended benefit period begins with the third week

following a week in which there is a state "on" indicator and

ends with the third week after the first week in which there is

a state "off" indicator or the thirteenth consecutive week of

the extended benefit period, whichever occurs later. An extended

benefit period may not begin until the fourteenth week following

the end of a prior extended benefit period.

(b) A state "on" indicator for a week exists if the

insured unemployment rate under this act for that week and the

preceding twelve (12) weeks is equal to or greater than one

hundred twenty percent (120%) of the average rates for the

corresponding thirteen (13) week period ending in each of the

preceding two (2) calendar years and is equal to or greater than

five percent (5%). A state "off" indicator for a week exists if

either of the conditions for the existence of a state "on"

indicator is not satisfied for that week and the preceding

twelve (12) weeks. The insured unemployment rate under this

subsection is the average weekly number of individuals filing

unemployment claims for regular compensation in this state for

the most recent thirteen (13) consecutive week period divided by

the average monthly employment covered under this act for the

first four (4) of the most recent six (6) completed calendar

quarters ending before the end of the thirteen (13) week period.

Computations required for the insured unemployment rate shall be

made by the department in accordance with regulations of the

United States secretary of labor.

the beginning and the end of an extended benefit period within

this state.

27-3-315. When individual deemed exhaustee; matters

excluded from determination of regular benefits.

(a) An individual is an exhaustee under this article for

any week of unemployment in his eligibility period if he has:

(i) Received prior to that week all regular benefits

available to him under this article or any other state law in

his applicable benefit year which includes that week; or

(ii) Prior to that week and after cancellation of

part or all of his wage credits or reduction of part or all of

his regular benefit rights, received all regular benefits

available to him under this article or any other state law in

his applicable benefit year which includes that week; or

(iii) Insufficient wages, employment or both, his

benefit year ended prior to that week and he is eligible for a

new benefit year in any state which includes that week or,

having established a new benefit year which includes that week,

he is not eligible for regular benefits under W.S. 27-3-306(d)

or similar provisions of other state laws meeting the

requirement of 26 U.S.C. § 3304(a)(7); and

(iv) No unemployment benefit or allowance rights

under 45 U.S.C. § 351 et seq., 19 U.S.C. § 1801 et seq. or other

federal laws specified under regulation of the United States

secretary of labor; and

(v) Not received or claimed unemployment benefits for

that week under unemployment compensation laws of the Virgin

Islands or Canada unless determined ineligible for these

benefits.

(b) An individual shall have received all regular benefits

under paragraphs (a)(i) and (ii) of this section regardless of:

(i) Any pending appeal for wages or employment not

included in the original regular benefit amount for his current

benefit year which may entitle him to additional regular

benefits;

(ii) Any seasonal provision of another state law

disqualifying him from regular benefits for that week of

unemployment although he may be entitled to future benefits in

the next season or off-season in his applicable benefit year,

and he is otherwise an exhaustee under this section for regular

benefits under state law seasonal provisions during the season

or off-season in which that week of unemployment occurs; or

(iii) Any disqualification cancelling his wage

credits or reducing all rights to regular benefits for his

established benefit year.

27-3-316. Applicability of regular claim and payment

provisions to extended benefits; determination of amount.

(a) Except as otherwise provided by this article and

regulation of the commission, regular benefit claim and payment

provisions of this act apply to extended benefits.

(b) An eligible individual's weekly extended benefit

amount for a week of total unemployment in his eligibility

period is equal to his weekly benefit amount payable during the

applicable benefit year except as hereafter provided:

(i) If the amount of extended benefits reimbursed by

the federal government under the federal-state extended

unemployment compensation act is reduced or increased, then an

eligible claimant's weekly and potential maximum extended

benefit amount shall be similarly reduced or increased by an

amount sufficient to assure that the federal government and the

state of Wyoming share the cost on an equal basis. The reduced

weekly extended benefit amount, if not a full dollar amount,

shall be rounded to the next lower multiple of one dollar

($1.00);

(ii) The provisions in W.S. 27-3-509(c) which

determine the reimbursable rate of certain employers shall not

be affected by paragraph (i) of this subsection.

for his applicable benefit year is the lesser of:

(i) Fifty percent (50%) of his total amount of

regular benefits under this article in the applicable benefit

year; or

(ii) Thirteen (13) times his weekly benefit amount

under this article for a week of total unemployment in the

applicable benefit year. A reduction in an eligible claimant's

weekly and potential maximum extended benefit amount, resulting

from the application of paragraph (b)(i) of this section, will

not increase the number of weeks of extended benefit entitlement

beyond that specified in paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this

subsection.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this act and if

the benefit year of an individual ends within an extended

benefit period, the remaining balance of extended benefits the

individual is otherwise entitled to receive in that extended

benefit period for unemployment beginning after the end of the

benefit year shall be reduced by the product of the number of

weeks he received an amount as trade readjustment allowances

within that benefit year multiplied by his weekly extended

benefit amount. Extended benefits shall not be reduced below

zero by reason of this subsection.

27-3-317. Eligibility for extended benefits; exceptions;

qualifications.

(a) An individual is eligible for extended benefits under

this article for any week of unemployment in his eligibility

period if for that week he qualifies as an exhaustee under W.S.

27-3-315 and meets regular benefit eligibility requirements of

this article.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (a) of this section,

an individual is not eligible for extended benefits for any week

if, pursuant to an interstate claim filed in any state under the

interstate benefit payment plan, no extended benefit period is

effective that week for that state. This subsection does not

apply to the first two (2) weeks that extended benefits are

payable to an individual from his extended benefit account for

that benefit year pursuant to an interstate claim filed under

the interstate benefit payment plan.

because of failure to comply with the actively seeking work

requirements of subsection (d) of this section shall be denied

extended benefits until employed in an employee-employer

relationship for four (4) weeks beginning the first day of the

week following the week in which the failure occurred and wages

of not less than four (4) times the extended weekly benefit

amount are earned.

(d) For purposes of extended benefit eligibility, an

individual is actively seeking work under W.S. 27-3-306(a)(iii)

for any week if he:

(i) Has engaged in a systematic and sustained effort

to obtain work during the week; and

(ii) Furnishes the department with tangible evidence

of his effort for that week.

(e) Notwithstanding W.S. 27-3-312(a), suitable work for

extended benefit eligibility purposes shall pay gross average

weekly wages for work within an individual's capabilities that:

(i) Exceed the individual's weekly benefit amount

under W.S. 27-3-316(b) plus any supplemental unemployment

benefits received under 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(17)(D) for that week;

and

(ii) Are not less than the higher of the minimum wage

pursuant to 29 U.S.C. § 206(a)(1) excluding any exemptions or

the applicable state or local minimum wage.

(f) An individual shall not be denied extended benefits

for failure to accept an offer of or apply for suitable work

meeting the criteria of subsection (e) of this section if:

(i) It is not offered in writing or not listed with

the state employment service; or

(ii) The failure is not a denial of regular benefits

under W.S. 27-3-312(a) to the extent the criteria of suitability

are consistent with subsection (c) of this section; or

(iii) He furnishes satisfactory evidence to the

department of good employment prospects in his customary

occupation within a reasonably short time, in which case the

determination of suitable work shall be made in accordance with

W.S. 27-3-312(a).

(g) An individual disqualified from benefit entitlement

under W.S. 27-3-311 shall be denied extended benefits until

requalified as follows:

(i) If disqualified from benefit entitlement under

W.S. 27-3-311(a)(i), (ii) or (iii), the individual shall be

employed in an employee-employer relationship for not less than

twelve (12) weeks, whether or not consecutive, following the

date of disqualification and have earned wages of not less than

twelve (12) times his weekly benefit amount for this employment;

(ii) If disqualified from benefit entitlement under

W.S. 27-3-311(f), the individual shall be employed in an

employee-employer relationship for not less than four (4) weeks,

whether or not consecutive, following the date of

disqualification and have earned wages of not less than four (4)

times his weekly benefit amount for this employment; and

(iii) In no event shall an individual receive

extended benefits during a period in which he is disqualified

from benefit entitlement.

(h) For purposes of extended benefit eligibility and

notwithstanding W.S. 27-3-306(d)(iii), earned wages for insured

work shall be at least one and five-tenths (1.5) times the high

quarter earnings in his base period.

(j) Subsections (c) through (g) of this section shall not

apply to weeks of unemployment beginning after March 6, 1993,

and before January 1, 1995.

27-3-318. Payment of benefits accrued by deceased.

The department may pay benefits accrued under this article by a

deceased individual to his surviving spouse, children or parents

without letters testamentary or letters of administration.

27-3-319. Waiver agreements void; exception; assignments

void; exemption from levy.

(a) Except as provided by W.S. 27-3-305, 27-3-320 and

27-3-321, any agreement to waive, release or commute benefit

rights or any other rights under this act is void and any

agreement by any employed individual to pay any portion of an

employer's contribution required by this act is void.

(b) Except as provided by W.S. 27-3-305, 27-3-320 and

27-3-321, the assignment, transfer, pledge or encumbrance of

benefit rights under this act is void.

attachment or other debt collection remedy. Benefits received by

an individual under this act and not combined with other funds

of the recipient are exempt from debt collection remedies except

those incurred for necessities furnished to the individual, his

spouse or dependents during his unemployment. A waiver of

exemptions provided by this subsection is void.

27-3-320. Benefit withholding for federal income taxes;

department notification; procedure; withholding status election.

(a) The department shall at the time of filing, advise an

individual filing an initial claim for benefits payable under

this act that:

(i) Benefits are subject to federal income tax;

(ii) Estimated federal income tax payments are

required by the federal internal revenue service;

(iii) Effective January 1, 1997 and each year

thereafter, federal income tax may be deducted and withheld from

benefits at the amount specified by federal law upon election by

the individual; and

(iv) Previously elected federal income tax

withholding status under this section may be changed once during

any one (1) benefit year.

(b) Effective January 1, 1997 and each year thereafter and

upon request by an individual filing an initial claim for

benefits payable under this act, the department shall, subject

to subsection (d) of this section, deduct and withhold federal

income tax from benefits payable to the individual in the amount

specified by federal law and in accordance with procedures

specified by the United States department of labor and the

internal revenue service. Amounts deducted and withheld

pursuant to this section shall remain in the fund until

transferred to the internal revenue service as payment of

federal income tax.

procedures for administering this section and shall permit an

individual to change his withholding status once during each

benefit year.

(d) Amounts shall not be deducted and withheld under this

section until amounts are deducted and withheld for any

overpayment, child support obligation or any other amount

required or allowed to be deducted and withheld under this act.

27-3-321. Disclosure of supplemental nutrition assistance

program overissuance required; notification; amount withheld;

payment; applicability of provisions.

(a) An individual filing a new claim for unemployment

compensation shall, at the time of filing such claim, disclose

whether or not he owes an uncollected overissuance of

supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits as defined in

section 13(c)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. The

department shall notify the department of family services of any

individual who discloses that he owes an uncollected

overissuance and who is determined to be eligible for

unemployment compensation.

(b) The department shall deduct and withhold from any

unemployment compensation payable to an individual who owes an

uncollected overissuance of supplemental nutrition assistance

benefits:

(i) The amount specified by the individual to the

department to be deducted and withheld under this section;

(ii) The amount determined pursuant to an agreement

under section 13(c)(3)(A) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008

and submitted to the department of family services; or

(iii) Any amount otherwise required to be deducted

and withheld from unemployment compensation pursuant to section

13(c)(3)(B) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, whichever is

greater.

shall be paid by the department to the department of family

services.

(d) Any amount deducted and withheld under subsection (b)

of this section shall for all purposes be treated as if it were

paid to the individual as unemployment compensation and paid by

the individual to the department of family services as repayment

of the individual's uncollected overissuance.

(e) For purposes of this section, the term "unemployment

compensation" means any benefits payable under this act and any

amounts payable by the department pursuant to an agreement under

any federal law providing for compensation, assistance or

allowances with respect to unemployment.

(f) This section applies only if arrangements have been

made for reimbursement by the department of family services for

the administrative costs incurred by the department under this

section which are attributable to the repayment of uncollected

overissuances to the department of family services.

ARTICLE 4 - BENEFIT CLAIMS

27-3-401. Filing notice and electronic communications.

(a) Benefit claims shall be filed in accordance with

regulations of the commission.

(b) Employers shall post information on benefit rights in

locations accessible to employed individuals. Copies of

regulations and information on benefit rights shall be supplied

by the department at no cost.

determinations, decisions or notices transmitted electronically

through an internet application approved by the department, in

lieu of transmission through the regular mail. Once the election

is made by the claimant or employer, any determination, decision

or notice required to be mailed to that claimant or employer by

this article may be transmitted instead through an internet

application approved by the department. Upon the completion of

every electronic transmission authorized by this subsection, the

department shall provide to the claimant or employer an

electronic acknowledgement specifying the date and time when the

transmission was sent or received. Except as otherwise required

by rules applicable to appeals to the courts of this state,

determinations, decisions or notices transmitted by an approved

electronic means may be appealed or protested by use of the same

means. For the purpose of all relevant time limits established

by this article, electronically transmitted information shall be

deemed delivered on the date indicated on the acknowledgment

required by this subsection, or if no acknowledgement exists, on

the date the electronic delivery is initiated by the party

sending the information.

27-3-402. Determination; generally; referral to special

examiner; redetermination; notice; appeal.

(a) Determination of a claim filed pursuant to W.S.

27-3-401(a) shall be made promptly by a deputy designated by the

department. If a claim is denied, the determination shall state

the reasons for denial. Except as provided by subsection (c) of

this section, a determination is final unless a party entitled

to notice applies for redetermination or appeals the

determination within twenty-eight (28) days after notice is

mailed to his last known address of record.

(b) Repealed By Laws 1999, ch. 73, § 3.

year shall specify if the claimant earned wages in amounts

required by W.S. 27-3-306(d) and, if so, the first day of the

benefit year, his weekly benefit amount and the maximum total

amount of benefits payable for the benefit year. The deputy may

reconsider a monetary determination if he finds an error in

computation or identity, or discovers wages of the claimant

relevant to but not considered in the determination. A monetary

determination is final unless a party entitled to notice files a

timely protest provided, however, that the department in its

discretion may make a monetary redetermination at any time prior

to the end of the benefit year whether or not a party has filed

a timely protest.

(d) Notice of a determination shall be mailed promptly to

the claimant at his last known address of record. Notice of a

determination involving application of W.S. 27-3-308,

27-3-311(a)(i) and (f) and 27-3-313(a)(i), together with

reasons, shall be given to the last employing unit of the

claimant at the last known address of record of the employing

unit or, if the address is unavailable, the best available

address. Notices shall be mailed to all base period employers

at the address of record.

(e) The claimant or any other party entitled to notice of

a determination may appeal the determination to an appeal

tribunal. The appeal shall be filed with the tribunal within

twenty-eight (28) days after notice is mailed to the last known

address of record of the interested party.

27-3-403. Determination; disputed claims; hearing;

decision; notice.

(a) The commission shall appoint an impartial appeal

tribunal to hear and decide disputed claims. The tribunal shall

be a salaried examiner or a body consisting of three (3)

members, one (1) a salaried examiner serving as chairman, one

(1) a representative of employers and one (1) a representative

of employees. The representatives of employers and employees

shall serve at the pleasure of the commission and shall receive

not more than ten dollars ($10.00) per day of service plus

necessary expenses. No person shall serve or participate on

behalf of the commission if he is an interested party to the

proceeding. The commission may designate an alternate to serve

in the absence or disqualification of a member of an appeal

tribunal. The chairman shall act alone in the absence or

disqualification of any member. A hearing shall not proceed

unless the chairman is present.

(b) After providing interested parties notice of and

reasonable opportunity for hearing, the appeal tribunal shall

make findings and conclusions and shall render a decision to

affirm, modify or reverse a determination. If an appeal involves

a question of services performed by a claimant in employment or

for an employer, the tribunal shall give special notice of the

issue and the pendency of the appeal to the employing unit and

to the commission. After notice, both are parties to the

proceeding and shall be given opportunity to offer evidence

bearing on the question.

promptly to the interested party by delivery or by mail to his

last known address of record. The notice shall include a copy of

the decision and the findings and conclusions in support of the

decision. The decision is final unless further review is

initiated pursuant to W.S. 27-3-404.

27-3-404. Determination; review by commission;

disposition; notice; reconsideration.

(a) The commission may within twenty-eight (28) days after

notice is mailed or delivered:

(i) Review a decision of an appeal tribunal;

(ii) Review a determination of a special examiner; or

(iii) Grant an appeal from a decision upon

application filed by any party entitled to notice. An appeal

shall be granted if a decision is not unanimous or if a

determination is not affirmed by the appeal tribunal.

(b) Upon review or appeal and based on evidence previously

submitted or upon additional evidence it may direct be taken,

the commission may affirm, modify or reverse the findings and

conclusions of the appeal tribunal. Proceedings before an appeal

tribunal may be removed to the commission or transferred to

another tribunal. A proceeding removed to the commission prior

to completion of the hearing shall be heard by the commission in

accordance with requirements for tribunal proceedings.

proceeding of its decision including findings and conclusions.

The decision is final unless judicial review is initiated

pursuant to this article. A denial of an appeal by the

commission is subject to judicial review. Review shall be

initiated within the prescribed time beginning from the date

notice of the denial is mailed or delivered.

(d) Subject to limitations prescribed under W.S.

27-3-402(c), the commission may reconsider a determination

provided by a final decision of an appeal tribunal and may apply

to the tribunal for a revised decision.

27-3-405. Conduct of hearing or appeal; consolidation of

claims; record; witness expenses.

(a) A hearing or appeal before a tribunal under this

article shall be conducted in accordance with the Wyoming

Administrative Procedure Act.

(b) Hearings on claims by more than one (1) individual or

on claims by an individual for two (2) or more weeks of

unemployment may be consolidated for purposes of adjudication if

there is substantially similar evidence and the examiner or

tribunal with jurisdiction determines the consolidation is not

prejudicial to any party.

proceedings before a special examiner or an appeal tribunal.

Records shall be maintained under this subsection until final

disposition of the matter.

(d) Witnesses subpoenaed pursuant to this act shall be

reimbursed at a rate determined by the commission. The

commission may refuse reimbursement to any employer who after

notice fails to voluntarily appear for any determination of

liability. Expenses of witnesses subpoenaed on behalf of the

commission or any claimant are part of the expense of

administering this act.

27-3-406. Determinations deemed conclusive; matters of law

binding; limiting actions.

(a) Except for reconsideration pursuant to W.S.

27-3-402(c) and 27-3-404(d), a right, fact or matter in issue

adjudicated in a final determination, redetermination or

decision on appeal under this article is conclusive for purposes

of this act. Subject to appeal proceedings and judicial review

and regardless of notice, a determination, redetermination or

decision on benefit rights is not subject to collateral attack

by an employing unit.

(b) Unless expressly or impliedly overruled by the

commission or a court of competent jurisdiction, principles of

law adjudicated under a final decision of the commission or an

appeal tribunal are binding on the commission, a special

examiner and an appeal tribunal in proceedings involving similar

questions of law.

conclusion of law, order, decision or final judgment entered or

made by a deputy, appeal tribunal, special examiner, the

department, the commission or a court of competent jurisdiction

pursuant to this act or the rules and regulations of the

commission is binding only between the department and all

adverse parties thereto, and is not binding, conclusive or

admissible in any separate or subsequent action or proceeding

between an individual and employing unit previously subject to

this act, regardless of whether the prior action before the

department or commission was between the same or related parties

or involved the same facts.

(d) Any determination, finding of fact, conclusion of law,

order, decision or final judgment, not made or entered by the

department or commission, is not binding upon the department

when administering this act except when the department or

commission was a party to an action or proceeding brought in a

court of competent jurisdiction of this state or of the United

States.

27-3-407. Right to judicial review; appeal to supreme

court; entry of order by commission.

(a) Any person aggrieved or adversely affected by a final

decision under this act may obtain judicial review by filing a

petition for review with the district court of jurisdiction.

Review by the court shall be as provided by the Wyoming

Administrative Procedure Act and shall be given precedence over

all other civil cases except those under the Wyoming Worker's

Compensation Act.

(b) A decision of the district court may be appealed to

the supreme court. The appeal shall be taken in the same manner

as other civil cases.

of bond are not required to initiate a proceeding for judicial

review or to enter an appeal from the decision of the court. The

commission shall enter an order in accordance with the court

decision.

27-3-408. Right of department and commission to notice and

representation; fees; access to records.

(a) The department and commission shall be treated as one

(1) party entitled to notice in any proceeding before a special

examiner, an appeal tribunal or a court of appeal. In any

proceeding for judicial review under W.S. 27-3-407, the

department and commission may be represented by a qualified

attorney employed pursuant to W.S. 27-3-609.

(b) A claimant shall not be assessed fees for proceedings

under this act by the department, commission or the court. The

claimant may be represented by counsel or other authorized agent

at the claimant's expense.

the claimant, the employer or their legal representatives to the

extent necessary to present or contest a claim or appeal in any

proceeding under this act.

27-3-409. Payment of benefits upon determination;

repayment of overpaid benefits; penalty.

(a) Benefits shall be paid in accordance with a

determination, redetermination or decision until modified or

reversed by a subsequent or pending redetermination or decision.

A proceeding for judicial review under this article shall not

operate as a supersedeas or stay nor shall the commission or the

court issue an injunction, supersedeas, stay or other writ or

process suspending the payment of benefits. Except as provided

in W.S. 27-3-506(e), if a determination, redetermination or

decision is reversed or modified, an employer's account shall

not be charged for benefits paid under an erroneous

determination and benefits shall be paid or denied in accordance

with the modifying or reversing redetermination or decision.

(b) An individual receiving benefits under this act to

which he is not entitled shall be liable for and repay the

benefit. Repayment of the benefits shall be had by any

combination of recoupment, recovery by civil action, offset

through the treasury offset program of the United States

treasury, 26 U.S.C. Section 6402(f), or voluntary reimbursement

agreement:

(i) The department in its discretion, may recoup the

benefit amount liable to be repaid by offsetting, without civil

action, against future benefits payable to the individual under

this act within five (5) years from the effective date of the

claim resulting in the overpayment if the claim was not

fraudulent. If the claim resulting in the overpayment was

fraudulent, the five (5) year limit on recoupment shall not

apply. The department shall waive recoupment if an individual

is without fault in receiving the benefits and it defeats the

purpose of this act or is against equity and good conscience as

considered by the department in accordance with regulations of

the commission;

(ii) The department may also recover overpaid

benefits from an individual by civil action brought in the name

of the department;

(iii) The department in its discretion, without civil

action, may accept repayment of overpaid benefits by

reimbursement from an individual pursuant to a payment schedule

approved by the department.

benefits to any individual under another state law if a state

certifies to the department the facts involved, the overpaid

individual is liable for repayment of benefits and the state

requests the department to do so. Repayment either by

recoupment or recovery shall be had pursuant to subsection (b)

of this section. Repayment shall be equal to the amount of

overpayment determined by the requesting state.

(d) Any overpayment of benefits fraudulently received

shall be assessed a penalty equal to twenty percent (20%) of the

amount of overpayment and an additional five percent (5%)

penalty on the remaining unpaid balance at the end of every six

(6) months. One-fourth (1/4) of the amounts collected pursuant

to the initial penalty and all of the additional penalties shall

be paid into the employment security revenue account and the

department shall utilize those collected amounts for

administrative costs of overpayment collection, fraud

investigation, developing and providing educational programs for

this act. Three-fourths (3/4) of the amounts collected pursuant

to the initial penalty shall be paid into the unemployment trust

fund account. Offset shall not be used to recover amounts due

under this section.

(e) The department shall cancel the amount of overpayment

or penalty due on any overpayment when:

(i) The individual is deceased with no estate or the

estate is closed and all assets are distributed; or

(ii) The individual is adjudicated insolvent by a

court of competent jurisdiction with no remaining assets.

(f) The department may cancel the amount of overpayments

or penalty due on any overpayment after eight (8) years from the

effective date of the claim resulting in the overpayment when:

(i) The individual cannot be located;

(ii) The individual is totally unable to work; or

(iii) The department’s records show the individual

earned covered wages of less than one-half (1/2) the average

weekly wage within Wyoming in the most recent calendar year.

ARTICLE 5 - EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS

27-3-501. Definitions.

(a) As used in this article:

(i) "Benefit ratio" means the quotient of total

benefits charged to an employer's account and paid during the

preceding experience period divided by total taxable wages

payable by the employer for that experience period excluding any

portion of wages for which contributions were not paid as of

July 31 of the preceding calendar year;

(ii) "Experience period" means the thirty-six (36)

consecutive month period or, in the case of a new employer not

previously subject to this act the twenty-four (24) consecutive

month period, ending June 30 of the preceding year;

(iii) "Ineffectively charged benefits" means benefits

charged to an employer's experience rating account after

benefits previously charged to his account qualified him for the

maximum rate of contributions;

(iv) "Noncharged benefits" means benefits not charged

to an employer's experience rating account pursuant to W.S.

27-3-504(e) and 27-3-608(b);

(v) "Nonprofit organization" means an organization

defined by 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) and exempt from federal income

tax under 26 U.S.C. 501(a);

(vi) "Organization" means a hospital, institution of

higher education, this state or any political subdivision, an

Indian tribe as defined under section 3306 of the federal

Unemployment Tax Act and a group of organizations established

pursuant to regulations of the commission for purposes of joint

accounts, employing services qualifying as employment under W.S.

27-3-105(a)(i);

(vii) "Client" means any entity that utilizes one (1)

or more workers that have been contracted for and supplied by a

service supplier. The client has the right to control the

manner and means of the workers performing services for it;

(viii) "Service supplier" means any entity that is

primarily engaged in the business of contracting with the client

to provide one (1) or more workers to perform services for the

client and performs all of the following functions:

(A) Assigns the worker to perform services for

the client;

(B) Sets the rate of pay of the worker, whether

or not through negotiations;

(D) Retains the authority to assign or refuse to

assign a worker to other clients if the worker is unacceptable

to a specific client;

(E) Determines assignments of workers even

though the worker may retain the right to refuse specific

assignments;

(F) Negotiates with the client on matters of

time, place, type of work, working conditions, quality and price

of the service.

(ix) "Temporary service contractor" means any

individual, firm, association, partnership, limited liability

company, corporation or other type of organization conducting a

business that employs individuals directly for the purpose of

furnishing services of the employed individuals on a temporary

basis to others. "Temporary service contract" does not include

a service supplier as defined in paragraph (viii) of this

subsection;

(x) "Temporary worker" means a worker whose services

are furnished to another employer on a temporary basis to

substitute for a permanent employee on leave or to meet an

emergency or short-term workload need. "Temporary worker" does

not include a person working for a service supplier as defined

in paragraph (viii) of this subsection;

(xi) For purposes of W.S. 27-3-507 and 27-3-706,

"person" means an individual or entity, including any

partnership, association, trust, estate, corporation, limited

liability company, domestic or foreign insurance company or

corporation, a receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, trustee,

successor or the legal representative of a deceased person.

27-3-502. Determination of employer and employment;

election of coverage; records and reports; injunction; service

suppliers.

(a) Upon its own motion or application of an employing

unit and after notice and opportunity for hearing, the

department may determine if an employing unit is an employer and

if services performed for the employing unit qualify as

employment. The department shall consider employment occurring

during a ten (10) year period preceding the date of employer

determination. A determination by the department is final as to

the employing unit fifteen (15) days after mailing its findings

and determination to the employing unit. The employing unit may

appeal a determination in accordance with W.S. 27-3-506.

(b) Except as provided by subsection (d) of this section,

an employing unit qualifying as an employer within any year is

subject to this act for that entire calendar year.

in writing to the department before January 31 for termination

of coverage under this act for that calendar year. The

department may waive the application filing requirement for good

cause. Employers to which this subsection applies include:

(i) Repealed By Laws 1999, ch. 73, § 3.

(ii) An agricultural employer paying wages of less

than twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.00) each quarter during

the preceding calendar year or employing less than ten (10)

workers on any day of twenty (20) or more different weeks within

a calendar year;

(iii) A domestic employer paying wages of less than

one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) in each quarter of the

preceding calendar year;

(iv) A nonprofit organization paying wages for less

than four (4) individuals or for less than twenty (20) weeks in

the preceding year.

(d) An employing unit not qualifying as an employer or for

which services not qualifying as employment are performed may

elect coverage under this act for a period of not less than two

(2) years by filing written notice of its election with the

department. If the department approves the election in writing,

coverage is effective on the date of approval. Application for

termination of coverage as an employer under this subsection

shall be filed in writing with the department not less than

thirty (30) days before January 1 of any year following the

initial two (2) years of coverage and for termination of

coverage of employment, not less than thirty (30) days after

January 1. The department may terminate coverage under this

subsection for good cause by giving notice to the employer.

(e) An employing unit shall maintain accurate employment

records containing information prescribed by the commission.

Records shall be open to inspection by and submitted to the

department upon request. An employing unit shall submit reports

on employees upon request of the department or an appeal

tribunal.

(f) Any employing unit subject to this act shall not

commence business or engage in work within this state without

registering under this act and otherwise complying with this

act. A prime or general contractor subcontracting any part of a

contract shall require notification and compliance by any

subcontractor under this subsection before awarding a contract

or permitting a subcontractor to begin work. The state, a

county, municipality or any other political subdivision shall

require the prime or general contractor to register and comply

with this act before authorizing the contractor to begin work

under any public contract. The secretary of state shall report

to the department the names and addresses of all business

entities registering with that agency during the preceding

month. The Wyoming department of transportation and the

department of administration and information shall report to the

department the names and addresses of business entities awarded

a contract by that agency during the preceding month. Any

employing unit failing to comply with this subsection or W.S.

27-3-510(c) or (d) or delinquent for filing reports or paying

contributions required under this act may be enjoined by the

department from engaging or continuing in business subject to

this act until required reports are filed or payments are made

and the unit otherwise complies with this act. All costs of the

action including a reasonable attorney fee shall be paid by the

employing unit against which the injunction is sought. In

addition to the penalties and remedies provided by W.S. 27-3-510

through 27-3-512 and 27-3-704, the department may assess and

collect an additional fee of up to three (3) times the amount of

delinquent contributions payable under this act for any

employing unit failing to comply with this subsection. This

additional fee is part of the payment due for all purposes if an

action is instituted under this subsection. If the employing

unit is a subcontractor, the general contractor or the project

owner may be held liable for payment of the contributions and

any additional assessment due.

(g) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this act:

(i) A service supplier is the employing unit of the

worker provided to the client and shall be liable to pay the

contributions on wages paid by it to the worker performing

services for the client;

(ii) If an entity is not a service supplier as

defined by W.S. 27-3-501(a)(viii) or if the client pays wages to

the worker directly, then the client is the employing unit of

the worker and shall be liable to pay the contributions on wages

paid by it to the worker performing services for the client;

(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an entity

pays the worker and that entity is not the employing unit of the

worker as determined herein, that entity is deemed the agent of

the employing unit so determined;

(iv) If the service supplier fails to pay all

contributions or submit required reports which are due, then the

client shall be jointly and severally liable for those which are

attributable to wages for services performed for the client by

the worker provided by the service supplier;

(v) The service supplier shall keep separate records,

submit a list of all clients to the department on a quarterly

basis and submit separate quarterly reports for each client;

(vi) Repealed By Laws 2007, Ch. 177, § 2.

(vii) A temporary service contractor is the employing

unit of the temporary worker provided to an employer and shall

be liable to pay the contributions on wages paid by the

temporary service contractor to the temporary worker performing

services for the employer.

(h) If an employing unit fails to comply with an

injunction order issued under subsection (f) of this section,

the department may file with the district court of the county in

which the employing unit resides, conducts business or may be

found, a verified application showing that the employing unit

received notice of an injunction order and has failed to comply

with its terms. Upon receipt of the department's application,

the court shall provide the employing unit with an opportunity

for a hearing within twenty (20) days. Upon finding that the

employing unit has violated the department's injunction, the

court may issue an order directing the employing unit, including

any partners or corporate officers, to comply with the

injunction order and may assess a fine of up to one thousand

dollars ($1,000.00) per day for each day of violation. Any

officer or director having at least twenty percent (20%)

ownership interest of a corporate employing unit, who controls

or supervises filing contribution reports or making payment

contributions under this act and who willfully fails to file the

reports or make required payments, may be held jointly and

severally liable for the contributions and interest due from the

employing unit. In any court proceeding for the enforcement of

an injunction order, the department shall not be required to

show that it lacks adequate legal remedy or is suffering

irreparable harm due to the violation of the injunction order.

Any employing unit failing to comply with an order of the court

issued under this subsection may be cited for contempt.

27-3-503. Payment; base rate; failure to pay; rate

variations; benefit ratio; new employer rate; special reserve

rate.

(a) Employment wage contributions imposed under this

section are payable by employers subject to this act.

Contributions shall be paid to the department for the fund in

accordance with regulations of the commission and shall not be

deducted from employee wages.

(b) Except as otherwise provided by law, the base rate of

contributions assigned to any employer is eight and one-half

percent (8.5%) for 1988 and each calendar year thereafter

subject to rate variations under subsections (d) and (f) of this

section in addition to the adjustment factors computed under

W.S. 27-3-505. Except as hereafter provided, a contributing

employer failing to pay all contributions, interest and

penalties or to submit all quarterly contribution reports due on

his account or any account assumed under W.S. 27-3-507 on or

before September 30 preceding the effective date of his assigned

rate shall be assigned a delinquent rate which shall include a

two percent (2%) tax rate increase in his base rate and shall

also include in addition thereto the adjustment factors for the

next calendar year beginning January 1. The delinquent rate

shall not exceed the maximum assignable rate. The delinquent

rate shall continue to be assigned through and including the

calendar quarter in which the delinquent employer satisfies his

delinquent account by paying all contributions, interest and

penalties due and submitting all contribution reports due. Upon

satisfaction of the delinquent account, the contributing

employer shall be assigned the contribution rate otherwise

applicable under this article beginning the next full calendar

quarter. Provided however, that a delinquent employer shall pay

an assigned delinquent rate for at least the first quarter even

if the account is satisfied before January 1 of the new calendar

year.

the department may eliminate or reduce contributions payable due

to the two percent (2%) delinquency tax rate increase imposed

under subsection (b) of this section either upon a showing of

good cause, or a finding that:

(i) The delinquency is less than one thousand dollars

($1,000.00);

(ii) After notice of the changed rate, the employer

protested his delinquency tax rate in writing to the department

pursuant to W.S. 27-3-506(b);

(iii) All delinquent amounts are paid by December 31

preceding the calendar year for which the delinquent rate has

been assigned; and

(iv) All delinquent wage records are submitted.

(d) Rate variations from the base rate of contributions

based upon the employer's benefit ratio shall be assigned to

eligible employers each calendar year.

(e) Benefit ratios shall be computed for those employers

whose accounts have been chargeable for benefits throughout the

employer's experience period. An employer's benefit ratio shall

be the contribution rate provided his rate is not more than

eight and one-half percent (8.5%) in addition to the adjustment

factors computed under W.S. 27-3-505. Benefit ratios shall be

computed to the fourth decimal on the basis of the experience

period preceding the calculation date of the rate.

(f) Any new employer not previously subject to this act or

having no established experience period shall pay contributions

at a rate equal to the average rate of contributions paid by his

major industrial classification for the calendar year preceding

the year in which he first employed workers in this state in

addition to the adjustment factors computed under W.S. 27-3-505.

In no case, however, will any new employer be assigned a rate of

less than one percent (1%), plus the adjustment factors computed

under W.S. 27-3-505. This rate shall be adjusted annually and

the rate shall remain in effect until the employer has

established an experience period in accordance with this

article. The commission shall by rule and regulation develop the

major industrial classifications for the state and the

department shall annually determine the contribution rate for

each classification based upon contributions paid during the

preceding calendar year.

(g) Repealed by Laws 2003, Ch. 123, § 3.

(h) Any employer subject to this act solely due to having

met the liability requirements under W.S. 27-3-105(a)(ii),

27-3-107(c) or (g) for the first time during the preceding

calendar year shall be exempt from the delinquent rate

provisions in subsection (b) of this section for the subsequent

year, provided the employer has submitted all reports and

contributions by April 30 of the subsequent year.

(j) Notwithstanding subsection (b) of this section, upon

full satisfaction of an employer's delinquent account and at the

written request of the employer, the department may, for good

cause shown, reduce or eliminate the additional amounts payable

as a result of the two percent (2%) delinquency rate.

27-3-504. Separate employer's accounts; charging of

accounts; when accounts not charged.

(a) Separate accounts shall be maintained for each

employer and benefits paid to an individual shall be charged to

the account of his base period employer.

(b) If an individual is employed by two (2) or more

employers during his base period, the base period employer's

account shall be charged an amount bearing the same ratio to

total benefits paid to the individual as the amount of wages

payable by the employer bears to total wages payable by all

employers during the individual's base period.

to a wage-combining arrangement under W.S. 27-3-608(b) and

attributable in part to wages and employment covered by this act

shall be charged in accordance with this section to the account

of that individual's base period employer. If, however, the

benefits are paid by another state, the amount chargeable to

employers in this state for whom the individual was previously

employed, shall be the amount reimbursed by this state to the

paying state. The amount chargeable to employers in this state

shall be an amount bearing the same ratio of total wages payable

by all employers in this state during the individual's base

period.

(d) If extended benefits are paid under W.S. 27-3-314 to

an individual employed during his base period by an organization

defined under W.S. 27-3-501(a)(vi) and the organization is

subject to W.S. 27-3-503, one-half (1/2) of the extended

benefits attributable to employment by the organization shall be

charged to its account.

(e) Benefits shall not be charged to an employer's account

if:

(i) They are paid in error;

(ii) The individual receiving benefits voluntarily

leaves work without good cause attributable to employment or was

discharged from employment for misconduct in connection with

this work, provided however, that chargeability of an employer's

account for benefits paid to a claimant in a particular benefit

year shall be based solely on the last separation that occurred

before the filing of the claimant's claim for which the claimant

is monetarily eligible and shall not be affected by a separation

that occurs after the filing of the initial claim and during the

benefit year;

(iii) Repealed by Laws 1984, ch. 50, § 3.

(iv) The base period employer provided part-time

employment and during the individual's current benefit year

provides the same number of hours and wages provided during the

base period. If the hours or wages are reduced during the

current benefit year or the individual is terminated from

part-time employment for reasons other than those specified

under paragraph (ii) of this subsection, the employer's account

shall be charged pursuant to this section;

(v) They are paid for an extended benefit period

pursuant to W.S. 27-3-314, except as provided by subsection (d)

of this section;

(vi) An individual receives benefits under this act

for unemployment resulting directly from a major disaster

declared by the United States President under 42 U.S.C. §

5122(2) and the individual is otherwise eligible for federal

disaster unemployment assistance;

(vii) The individual receiving benefits is enrolled

in an approved program pursuant to W.S. 27-3-307;

(viii) An individual receives benefits under this act

for unemployment resulting directly from the reinstatement of

another employee upon that employee's completion of service in

the uniformed services, as provided in W.S. 19-11-103(a)(ix) and

38 U.S.C. 4303(13).

(f) Repealed by Laws 1989, ch. 222, §§ 2, 3.

27-3-505. Adjustment for noncharged and ineffectively

charged benefits; adjustment for positive and negative fund

balance; computations; exception; maximum rate.

(a) An adjustment factor for noncharged and ineffectively

charged benefits shall be computed to the fourth decimal by

dividing the total noncharged and ineffectively charged benefits

to all employers' experience rating accounts during the

experience rating period ending June 30 by the total taxable

wages payable during the experience period and added to the rate

provided by W.S. 27-3-503. The total taxable wages payable under

this subsection shall not include wages payable by employers

electing payments instead of contributions under W.S. 27-3-509.

Sixty percent (60%) of this adjustment factor shall be allocated

to the unemployment compensation fund. Forty percent (40%) of

this adjustment factor shall be allocated to the employment

support fund created by W.S. 27-3-211.

Note: Effective 1/1/2025 this subsection will read as:

(a) An adjustment factor for noncharged and ineffectively

charged benefits shall be computed to the fourth decimal by

dividing the total noncharged and ineffectively charged benefits

to all employers' experience rating accounts during the

experience rating period ending June 30 by the total taxable

wages payable during the experience period and added to the rate

provided by W.S. 27-3-503. The total taxable wages payable under

this subsection shall not include wages payable by employers

electing payments instead of contributions under W.S. 27-3-509.

Of this adjustment factor, twenty percent (20%) shall be

allocated to the unemployment compensation fund, sixty percent

(60%) shall be allocated to the employment support fund created

by W.S. 27-3-211 and twenty percent (20%) shall be allocated to

the workforce development training fund established in W.S. 9-2-

2604.

(b) If the fund balance on October 31 of the year

immediately preceding the calendar year for which the

contribution rate is being computed is less than three and one-

half percent (3½%) of the total payrolls reported to the

department by September 30 for that year ending June 30, a

positive fund balance adjustment factor shall be computed. The

adjustment factor shall be computed annually to the fourth

decimal by dividing the total reported taxable payrolls for the

year ending June 30 of the year immediately preceding the

calendar year for which the contribution rate is being computed,

into a sum equal to twenty-five percent (25%) of the difference

between the amount in the fund on October 31 of the same year

and five percent (5%) of the total payrolls for that year ending

June 30. The adjustment factor shall be effective until the fund

balance on October 31 of the year immediately preceding the

effective date of the contribution rate equals three and one-

half percent (3½%) or more of the total payrolls for that year

ending June 30. The department shall by rule and regulation

establish an additional formula to apportion the positive fund

balance adjustment factor between those employers whose accounts

have incurred a benefit ratio, pursuant to W.S. 27-3-503(e), of

zero (0) and those employers whose accounts have incurred a

benefit ratio that is greater than zero (0). For purposes of the

apportionment, those employers having no established experience

period pursuant to W.S. 27-3-503(f) shall be treated the same as

those employers whose accounts have incurred a benefit ratio

that is greater than zero (0). The apportionment formula shall

reflect:

(i) The proportion of contribution revenue received

from each of the two (2) groups of employers during the previous

calendar year;

(ii) An additional surcharge for employers whose

accounts have incurred a benefit ratio that is greater than zero

(0).

immediately preceding the calendar year for which the

contribution rate is being computed exceeds four percent (4%) of

the total payrolls reported to the department by September 30

for that year ending June 30, a negative fund balance adjustment

factor shall be computed. The negative adjustment factor shall

be computed annually to the fourth decimal by dividing the total

reported taxable payrolls for the year ending June 30 of the

year immediately preceding the calendar year for which the

contribution rate is being computed, into a sum equal to twenty-

five percent (25%) of the difference between the amount in the

fund as of October 31 of the same year and four percent (4%) of

the total payrolls for that year ending June 30. The adjustment

factor shall be effective until the fund balance on October 31

of the year immediately preceding the effective date of the

contribution rate is equal to or less than four percent (4%) of

the total payrolls for that year ending June 30.

(d) The adjustment factors computed pursuant to this

section are separate from an employer's experience rating, shall

be algebraically added to the employer's contribution rate and

payable by each employer subject to this article. The adjustment

factor computed under subsection (c) of this section shall be

algebraically added only to the contribution rate of those

employers eligible for an experience rating. The adjustment

factors applied to an employer's contribution rate shall not be

less than zero (0).

(e) Repealed by Laws 1983, Sp. Sess., ch. 2, § 3.

(f) For purposes of this section, the fund balance

includes any amount credited to the state unemployment insurance

trust fund pursuant to W.S. 27-3-202(b) but does not include any

amount credited to Wyoming's account in the unemployment trust

fund pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1103 and appropriated for

administrative expenses.

(g) Repealed by Laws 1984, ch. 50, § 3.

(h) Effective for the period beginning January 1, 1991,

the adjustment factors computed under subsections (a) and (b) of

this section shall not exceed one and five-tenths percent (1.5%)

to be chargeable against employers.

27-3-506. Notice of rates and charges; relief, review or

redetermination.

(a) The department shall notify an employer of his

contribution rate determined pursuant to this article and of

total benefit charges to his account within a reasonable time

after the close of each experience period. A base period

employer shall be notified of the filing of all initial claims

which may be charged to his account. Except as otherwise

provided by the legislature and on or before January 1 of each

year, the department shall notify each employer of his projected

contributions payable under W.S. 27-3-503 and 27-3-505 for the

ensuing calendar year. Notice under this section shall be by

mail to the last known address of record.

(b) A determination of contribution rates by the

department for any calendar year is binding upon the employer

unless within thirty (30) days after notice is mailed, he files

an application for review and redetermination in accordance with

this section.

within twenty-eight (28) days after the mailing or delivery of

notice of benefits charged to his account for relief of benefit

charges under W.S. 27-3-504(e)(i), (ii), (iv) or (viii). The

application shall state the reasons for relief. Determinations

of benefits not charged to an employer's account and which are

paid from the trust fund shall be recorded and shall specify the

reasons therefor. The records are open to inspection by an

employer or his legal representative.

(d) An employer may apply to the department for review of

a decision or determination involving contribution liability,

contribution rates or the charging of benefit payments under

W.S. 27-3-509. The application shall be in writing and shall

state the reasons for review. The department, on behalf of the

commission, shall notify the employer of its acceptance or

denial of the application for review or of a redetermination by

the commission. If the commission grants review, the employer

shall be given opportunity for hearing in accordance with W.S.

27-3-401 through 27-3-409 to the extent not inconsistent with

this article. An employer in any proceeding involving

contribution rates or liability may not contest benefits paid

and charged to his account in accordance with a determination,

redetermination or decision pursuant to W.S. 27-3-401 through

27-3-409 unless he was not a party to the proceeding. A denial

or redetermination is final unless within thirty (30) days after

notice is mailed a petition for judicial review is filed in

accordance with W.S. 27-3-407.

(e) An employer's account shall not be relieved of charges

relating to a payment that was made erroneously from the

unemployment compensation fund after July 1, 2013 if the

department determines that:

(i) The erroneous payment was made because the

employer, or the agent of the employer, was at fault for failing

to respond timely or adequately to a written request, sent by

United States mail or by electronic mail, from the department

for information relating to the claim for benefits which

resulted in the erroneous payment; and

(ii) The employer or agent has established a pattern

of failing to respond timely or adequately to requests similar

to those identified in paragraph (i) of this subsection.

(f) For purposes of subsection (e) of this section,

"timely" means within fifteen (15) days after a notice or

request is sent by United States mail or by electronic mail to

the address of record of the employer or employer's agent. The

department shall acknowledge receipt of the requested

information within fifteen (15) days, if requested by the

employer or the employer's agent. Acknowledgment shall be by

United States mail or electronic mail.

27-3-507. Person acquiring trade of employing unit;

transfer of experience and assignment of rates.

(a) A person acquiring the trade, organization, business

or substantially all the assets of an employer subject to this

act shall assume the employer's account, benefit experience and

contribution rate. If the acquiring person is an employer

subject to this act, the department shall consolidate the

separate accounts and benefit experience and shall determine the

contribution rate of the acquiring person effective the first

day of the calendar quarter following the date of acquisition.

A delinquency rate shall be assumed by the acquiring person as

provided in W.S. 27-3-503(b) when the acquiring person owned or

controlled an interest in the transferring employer or if the

acquiring person is a member of the immediate family of the

transferring employer.

(b) The transfer of some or all of an employer's workforce

to another person shall be considered a transfer of trade or

business when, as a result of the transfer, the transferring

employer no longer performs trade or business with respect to

the transferred workforce, and the trade or business is

performed by the person to whom the workforce is transferred.

or business to another employer and, at the time of the

transfer, there is substantially common ownership, management or

control of the two (2) employers, then the unemployment

insurance experience attributable to the transferred trade or

business shall be transferred to the employer to whom the

business is transferred. The rates of both employers shall be

recalculated and made effective the first day of the calendar

quarter immediately following the date of the transfer of trade

or business. Both employers may be given a delinquency rate as

provided in W.S. 27-3-503(b) if applicable.

(d) If, following a transfer of experience under this

section, the department determines that a substantial purpose of

the transfer of the trade or business was to obtain a reduced

liability for contributions, then the accounts of the employers

involved shall be combined into a single account and a single

rate assigned to the account.

(e) If a person is not an employer under this section at

the time the person acquires the trade or business of an

employer, the unemployment insurance experience of the acquired

employer shall not be transferred to the person if the

department finds that the person acquired the trade or business

of the employer solely or primarily for the purpose of obtaining

a lower rate of contributions. Instead, the person shall be

assigned the applicable new employer rate under W.S.

27-3-503(b). In determining whether the trade or business was

acquired solely or primarily for the purpose of obtaining a

lower rate of contributions, the department shall use objective

factors which may include the cost of acquiring the business,

whether the person continued the business enterprise of the

acquired business, how long the business enterprise was

continued, or whether a substantial number of new employees were

hired for performance of duties unrelated to the business

activity conducted prior to acquisition.

(f) The department shall establish procedures to identify

the transfer or acquisition of a business for purposes of this

section and W.S. 27-3-706.

27-3-508. Rates for joint ventures.

A joint venture composed of two (2) or more employers with

accounts meeting the requirements of W.S. 27-3-503(b) and (c)

shall apply in writing to the department within four (4) months

after the date of formation of the joint venture for

determination of a contribution rate. The department shall, upon

receipt of application and pursuant to this article, assign a

contribution rate based upon the benefit ratio computed on the

consolidation of the separate accounts and benefit experiences

of the employers for the experience period. The contribution

rate shall be determined and assigned by the department to the

joint venture each calendar year until its separate account and

benefit experience qualify as an experience period.

27-3-509. Election of substitute payments by certain

organizations authorized; filing and liability period; billing;

posting of security; exceptions.

(a) An organization or nonprofit organization defined by

W.S. 27-3-501(a)(v) and (vi) and subject to this act may instead

of paying contributions otherwise required by this article,

elect to pay an amount determined pursuant to subsection (c) of

this section. If an organization or nonprofit organization

elects payment liability at the time it is determined an

employer subject to this act, it shall file written notice of

its election with the department not later than thirty (30) days

following the date of determination. Liability for payments

shall be at least one (1) year from the date of determination

and shall continue until written notice is filed with the

department terminating its election. Notice shall be filed not

later than thirty (30) days before the beginning of the taxable

year for which the termination is effective. An organization or

nonprofit organization previously paying contributions under

this act may file written notice of election for payment

liability with the department not later than thirty (30) days

prior to the beginning of any taxable year. The election shall

not be changed for at least two (2) years from the effective

date.

(b) The department may for good cause extend the required

filing period for notice of election or termination and may

permit an election to be retroactive to January 1 of the year in

which the election is made. It shall notify an organization of

its determination of employer status, the effective date of an

election and a termination of election. Determinations are

subject to reconsideration, appeal and review in accordance with

W.S. 27-3-506.

determined by the department, the department shall bill each

nonprofit organization electing payment liability under this

section for an amount equal to the total amount of regular

benefits plus one-half (1/2) of the amount of extended benefits

paid during the quarter or other prescribed period attributable

to employment in the nonprofit organization. An organization

electing payment liability under this section shall be billed in

a similar manner for an amount equal to the total amount of

extended benefits attributable to employment by the organization

during the billing period. Payment shall be made not later than

thirty (30) days after the bill is mailed or delivered unless an

application for review and redetermination is filed. Payments

shall not be deducted from employee wages and if not paid when

due, the employer is subject to interest under this article. The

department shall notify each employer of transactions affecting

its account and its right to review pursuant to W.S. 27-3-506.

(d) The commission may by regulation require an employer

electing payments under this section to post surety bonds or

other securities.

(e) Noncharging provisions under W.S. 27-3-409(a) and

27-3-504(e) and the right to protest benefit charges under W.S.

27-3-506(c) do not apply to employers electing payments under

this section.

(f) Any employer failing to make required payments under

this section, including assessments of interest and penalties,

within ninety (90) days after receipt of a bill, shall not be

eligible for making payments under this section for the

following tax year unless full payment is received by the

department before the contribution rates for the next tax year

are computed under this act, subject to the following:

(i) Any employer losing the option to make payments

under this section because of late payments or nonpayment under

this subsection shall have the option reinstated if after one

(1) year, all contributions have been paid on a timely basis and

no contributions, payments instead of contributions for paid

benefits, penalties or interest remain outstanding;

(ii) Failure of the tribe or any tribal unit to make

payments required under this section including assessment of

interest and penalties, after exhaustion of all collection

efforts determined necessary by the department, shall exclude

services performed for the tribe from employment for purposes of

W.S. 27-3-105(a)(iii);

(iii) Upon termination or reinstatement of any tribe

or tribal unit under this section, the department shall notify

the United States internal revenue service and the United States

department of labor;

(iv) Notice of payment and reporting delinquency to

any Indian tribe or tribal unit under this subsection shall

include information that failure to make full payment within the

prescribed time:

(A) Imposes a tax liability upon the tribe under

the federal Unemployment Tax Act;

(B) Eliminates eligibility of the tribe for

election of payments under this section;

employer under this act as defined by W.S. 27-3-103(a)(x) and

the exclusion of services performed for the tribe from

employment covered under this act pursuant to paragraph (ii) of

this subsection.

27-3-510. Delinquencies; interest to be charged; deposit;

collection by civil action; jeopardy assessments; posting of

bond; liability of corporate officers and directors.

(a) Contributions not paid on the date due shall bear

interest of two percent (2%) per month or any fractional portion

thereof from the due date until payment plus accrued interest is

received by the department. Interest collected pursuant to this

subsection shall be paid into the employment security revenue

account.

(b) If after notice an employer defaults in any

contribution or interest payment, the amount due shall be

collected by civil action in the name of the department. An

employer adjudged liable shall pay the costs of the action.

Civil actions brought under this subsection shall be given

preference over all other civil actions except petitions for

judicial review under this act and cases under the Wyoming

Worker's Compensation Act.

to submit reports and pay contributions or interest required by

this act, discontinues business at any of its places of business

or leaves this state without submitting reports and paying

contributions or interest and the neglect, refusal,

discontinuance or removal jeopardizes the fund or any rights to

benefits, the department may make a jeopardy assessment against

the employer or employing unit. The department shall immediately

notify the employer of the assessment in writing by mail. The

assessment is final unless the employer files a written protest

of the assessment with the department within fifteen (15) days

after mailing. An employer filing a protest may request a

hearing before the commission in writing. After the hearing the

department shall notify the employer of findings of the

commission. If an assessment is made, it is final upon issuance

of notice and the department shall collect the assessment of any

delinquent contributions or interest.

(d) The department may require any employing unit which

has been habitually delinquent in making contributions, filing

returns or qualifying as required by this act to file a bond or

other security with the department which will insure the payment

of future contributions required by this act.

(e) Any officer or director having at least twenty percent

(20%) ownership interest of a corporate employing unit and any

manager of a limited liability company having at least twenty

percent (20%) ownership interest of a limited liability company

employing unit, who controls or supervises filing contribution

reports or making payment contributions under this act and who

fails to file the reports or make required payments, and the

employing unit fails to pay the amounts due the department, is

liable for the contributions or reimbursement including

interest, penalties and costs. Liability under this subsection

shall:

(i) Survive dissolution, reorganization, bankruptcy,

receivership or assignment for the benefit of creditors of or by

the corporate or limited liability company employing unit;

(ii) Be initially determined by the department. The

department's determination is final unless the officer or

director determined to be liable files a written appeal within

fifteen (15) days after the date notice of the determination is

mailed to his address or the address of the corporate or limited

liability company employing unit. The burden of proof rests

with the department and the appeal shall be conducted in the

manner provided under W.S. 27-3-506 for appeals from employer

liability determinations.

27-3-511. Delinquencies; lien; foreclosure; notice and

hearing; satisfaction and release; remedies not exclusive.

(a) If contributions or interest under this act are not

paid on the date due, the department may file a lien certificate

verified under oath with the county clerk of the county in which

the employer has his principal place of business and a copy with

any other county. The certificate shall state the amount of the

contributions and interest due, the name and last known address

of the delinquent employer and that the department complied with

computation and levy requirements for contributions and interest

under this act. The county clerk shall number, file and index

the certificate under employment security contributions' liens

and under chattel mortgages.

(b) The amount of contributions and interest due the

department is a lien upon all real and personal property

including motor vehicles owned or acquired by the employer. The

lien is in effect from the time of filing the certificate and

covers all property of the employer in any county in which

filed. The department may initiate proceedings for foreclosure

in district court within ten (10) years from the date of filing.

After the date of filing, no person shall remove property

subject to a lien under this section from the state.

shall be given opportunity for hearing before the commission or

its duly authorized representative. Notice of the time and place

of the hearing shall be mailed at least fifteen (15) days prior

to the hearing. If the delinquent employer or his representative

fails to appear at the hearing or fails to establish to the

satisfaction of the commission that contributions and interest

are erroneous, the department may file the certificate. The

certificate may be filed without opportunity for hearing if a

delinquent employer is leaving the state with intent to default.

(d) If a lien is entered and the contributions are paid or

found erroneous, the department shall file notice of

satisfaction of the lien certificate with the county clerk of

any county in which the lien is filed. The department may

release any property from the lien or subordinate the lien if it

determines contributions and interest are secured by a lien on

other property or the collection of contributions and interest

is not in jeopardy. The department shall certify release or

subordination under this subsection.

(e) The remedies provided by this section are not

exclusive.

(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section,

the department may enter into installment payment agreements for

delinquent tax and interest liabilities where repayment

requirements are met and where payment in a lump sum would cause

severe inconvenience to the taxpayer.

(g) For purposes of this section, "employer" includes

those individuals described in W.S. 27-3-510(e) under the

conditions described in that section.

27-3-512. Priority over other claims under receivership.

If an employer's assets are distributed by court order under

receivership, assignment, adjudicated insolvency or other

proceeding, contributions under this act shall have priority

over all claims except taxes and claims for wages of not more

than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) per claimant and earned

within six (6) months before the proceeding. Priority of

contributions in cases adjudicated under 11 U.S.C. § 101 et seq.

shall be as provided by 11 U.S.C. § 507(a).

27-3-513. Prevention of collection prohibited.

A court shall not prevent the collection of any contributions

under this act.

27-3-514. Action for recovery of payments under protest;

procedure.

An employer paying contributions under protest may within six

(6) months after payment initiate action for recovery against

the department in a court of competent jurisdiction. The protest

shall be verified and filed at the time payment is made and

shall state the grounds for objection. Failure to initiate

action within six (6) months is a waiver of recovery under this

subsection. Review by the court is limited to the objections

stated in the protest. If judgment is for the employer, the

amount shall be credited to his account for contributions and

interest due under this act. Any remaining balance shall be

refunded to the employer from the clearing account.

27-3-515. Adjustment or refund for erroneous collection;

reduction of contributions and interest in certain cases;

recovery by department.

(a) An employer may apply to the commission or the

commission may on its own motion provide for an adjustment of

contributions or interest or for a refund if the adjustment

cannot be made. This subsection applies only to payments made

within three (3) years before the date of application or

determination. Upon determination of an erroneous collection,

the department shall grant an adjustment without interest for

future contribution payments or if the adjustment cannot be

made, refund the amount without interest from the fund.

(b) The department may upon its own motion or written

application reduce or waive the amount of interest due under

W.S. 27-3-510(a) if the collection of the full amount of

interest is against equity and good conscience. If an employer

is no longer subject to this act pursuant to W.S. 27-3-502, the

department may reduce or cancel the amount of contributions or

interest due upon a determination based on findings entered into

the record that the employer is:

(i) Adjudicated insolvent by a court of competent

jurisdiction with no remaining assets;

(ii) Deceased with no estate or the estate is closed

and all assets are distributed;

(iii) A dissolved corporation with no remaining

assets;

(iv) Not found within three (3) years after the date

of termination of coverage under this act and has no property

located in the state; or

(v) Not capable of paying the total amount due within

three (3) years after the date of termination of coverage under

this act, has no property in the state and failure to accept a

partial amount of the total as settlement may result in a

substantial loss to the fund.

department from collecting the balance of interest and

contributions not paid if its action was based upon a

misrepresentation or omission of facts or if amounts due under

this act are collectible at a future date.

27-3-516. Incremental bond for impact industries.

(a) Any project in Wyoming with an estimated construction

cost equal to or greater than the threshold construction cost

defined by the industrial siting council pursuant to W.S.

35-12-102(a)(vii), a majority of which is planned to be

completed or discontinued within a period of seven (7) years,

and which will require the employment of at least two hundred

fifty (250) people is subject to this section. After the

project is initiated, each employing unit working on a project

which meets the criteria specified under this section shall

report annually to the department any change in contract bids

within the state as may have been determined under subsection

(b) of this section.

(b) If the department determines that the project is

within the criteria stated by this section, it may assess and

collect from the general or prime contractor or, in those

situations where there is no general or prime contractor, the

owner for whom the project is being constructed, on behalf of

each employing unit, an additional amount of one-half percent

(.5%) times the successful bid amount on the project awarded to

each employing unit but not to exceed one-half percent (.5%)

times the total amount allowed under all bids accepted under the

project. The amount is in addition to any other contribution

required by this act and shall be treated as incremental bond

payments to insure payment for all benefits ultimately claimed.

The payments are not contributions until the ultimate

determination of liability is made under subsection (d) of this

section. The department shall amend the amount assessed under

this section in accordance with any increases in contract bids

reported by an employing unit under subsection (a) of this

section. An employing unit may be enjoined by the department

from engaging or continuing in business until all payments

required under this subsection are made.

(d) The amount collected under this section shall be

credited to a separate account. Within one (1) year after

completion or discontinuance of the project or after an

employing unit completes its phase of the work, the department

shall determine the total benefits paid to employees of the

employing unit or units and if total contributions made by the

units under W.S. 27-3-503 exceed total benefits paid to the

employees of the units, the difference plus accrued interest

shall be refunded to the appropriate general or prime contractor

or the owner who paid the additional contribution under

subsection (b) of this section but not exceeding the amount

paid under this section plus accrued interest. The amount not

refunded shall be credited to the unemployment compensation

fund.

(e) Repealed By Laws 2007, Ch. 177, § 2.

27-3-517. Electronic delivery of information.

Whenever this article requires any determination, decision or

notice to be transmitted through the mail, the determination,

decision or notice may be transmitted by an internet application

approved by the department but only upon an election by the

claimant or employer to receive the information by electronic

transmission. Upon the completion of every electronic

transmission authorized by this section, the department shall

provide to the claimant or employer an electronic

acknowledgement specifying the date and time when the

transmission was sent or received. Except as otherwise required

by rules applicable to appeals to the courts of this state,

determinations, decisions or notices transmitted by an approved

electronic means may be appealed or protested by use of the same

means. For the purpose of all relevant time limits established

by this article, electronically transmitted information shall be

deemed delivered on the date indicated on the acknowledgment

required by this section, or if no acknowledgement exists, on

the date the electronic delivery is initiated by the party

sending the information.

ARTICLE 6 - ADMINISTRATION

27-3-601. Unemployment insurance commission created;

composition; terms; vacancies; salary; chairman; quorum;

removal; office; seal.

(a) The unemployment insurance commission of Wyoming is

created within the department of workforce services and shall

consist of three (3) members serving a term of six (6) years

each. Appointments, vacancies and expiration of terms shall be

in accordance with W.S. 28-12-101 through 28-12-103. A member

shall not hold any state office or serve as an officer or on a

committee of any political organization during the term of

membership. No more than seventy-five percent (75%) of the

members shall be of the same political party.

(b) Every two (2) years one (1) member shall be elected by

the membership to serve as chairman. Two (2) members is a

quorum. A vacancy does not prevent the remaining members from

exercising powers of the commission. One (1) member shall not

exercise powers if two (2) vacancies occur at the same time.

per diem paid to members of the Wyoming legislature under W.S.

28-5-101 for each day of actual service and when engaged in

necessary travel plus necessary expenses.

(d) The governor may remove a commissioner as provided in

W.S. 9-1-202.

(e) The office of the commission shall be located in

Casper, Wyoming and the commission shall have an official seal

which shall be judicially noticed.

27-3-602. Powers and duties of unemployment insurance

commission; personnel.

(a) The commission shall:

(i) Adopt rules necessary for the administration of

this act by the department of workforce services and the

department, in accordance with law, may make expenditures,

require reports, make investigations and take other action it

considers necessary;

(ii) Determine its methods of procedure in accordance

with this act;

(iii) Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 63, § 3.

(iv) Through the department, and if possible, provide

a reserve against fund liability for future benefit payments in

excess of contributions in accordance with accepted actuarial

principles based on employment, business activity and other

relevant factors;

(v) Through the department, recommend to the governor

and the legislature a change in contribution or benefit rates

when necessary to protect fund solvency;

(vi) Define and prescribe by regulation necessary

procedures for total unemployment and part total unemployment;

(vii) Through the department, publish provisions of

this act, rules and regulations, reports and other relevant

material and furnish copies in accordance with W.S. 16-4-204 to

any person upon application.

(b) The commission may adopt, amend or rescind rules and

regulations after notice and public hearing in accordance with

the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act.

authorized representative of the department may administer oaths

and affirmations, take depositions, certify official acts,

subpoena witnesses and require the production of books, papers

or other records material to the administration of this act.

(d) If a subpoena issued to any person pursuant to

subsection (c) of this section is disobeyed, the district court

of the district in which the inquiry is conducted or the person

is found, resides or conducts business shall, upon application

by the commission or department, issue to the person refusing to

obey the subpoena an order requiring the person to appear before

the commission or department to produce evidence if ordered or

to give evidence touching the matter in question. Any person

failing to obey the court order may be punished by the court for

contempt and upon conviction, shall be fined not less than two

hundred dollars ($200.00), imprisoned not more than sixty (60)

days, or both. Each day of violation is a separate offense.

(e) The privilege of self-incrimination is not a defense

for violating subsection (c) of this section nor shall a person

be incriminated for providing testimony or evidence under

subsection (c) of this section except for perjury committed

during testimony.

(f) The department of workforce services shall provide

personnel necessary to administer this act in accordance with

rules of the commission and determinations of the commission

authorized by law. The commission shall not exercise

supervisory authority over those personnel.

27-3-603. Confidentiality of information.

Except as otherwise provided, information maintained pursuant to

this act shall not be disclosed in a manner which reveals the

identity of the employing unit or individual. The

confidentiality limitations of this section do not apply to

transfers of information between the divisions of the department

of workforce services so long as the transfer of information is

not restricted by federal law, rule or contract. Any employee

who discloses information outside of the department in violation

of federal or state law may be terminated without progressive

discipline.

27-3-604. Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 63, § 3.

27-3-605. Responsibilities of department of workforce

services.

(a) The department of workforce services shall administer

the unemployment compensation program in this state.

(b) Repealed By Laws 2002, Ch. 100, § 4.

27-3-606. Department duties regarding unemployment and

reemployment.

(a) Repealed by Laws 1996, ch. 4, § 3.

(b) Repealed by Laws 1996, ch. 4, § 3.

(i) Repealed By Laws 2005, ch. 186, § 3.

(ii) Repealed By Laws 2005, ch. 186, § 3.

(iii) Repealed By Laws 2005, ch. 186, § 3.

(iv) Repealed By Laws 2005, ch. 186, § 3.

(v) Conduct and publish results of investigations and

research studies.

27-3-607. Cooperation by department with federal, state

and local agencies; disclosure and submission of specified

information; limitations.

(a) The department shall:

(i) Cooperate with and report to the federal

government pursuant to requirements of 42 U.S.C. § 902 et seq.

and comply with federal regulations governing expenditures of

funds paid to the state under 42 U.S.C. § 501 et seq.;

(ii) Furnish upon request of any federal agency

administering public works programs or public employment

assistance, the name, address, ordinary occupation and

employment status of benefit recipients and their right to

future benefits under this act;

(iii) Upon request, pursuant to contract and on a

reimbursable basis, of any state or political subdivision,

furnish wage information obtained pursuant to this act

determined necessary by regulation of the United States health

and human services department for determining eligibility or

assistance under 42 U.S.C. § 601 et seq.;

(iv) Upon request, pursuant to contract and on a

reimbursable basis, disclose to officers or employees of any

state or local child support enforcement agency operating

pursuant to a plan described under 42 U.S.C. § 654 or to the

federal parent locater service, any wage or unemployment

compensation claim information obtained under this act for an

identified individual;

(v) Upon request, pursuant to contract and on a

reimbursable basis, disclose to officers and employees of the

United States department of agriculture and any state

supplemental nutrition assistance program agency defined under 7

U.S.C. § 2012(n)(1), any wage information obtained under this

act for an identified individual, any record of application for

or receipt of benefits and the amount received, his most recent

home address and any refusal of an offer of employment and a

description of this employment;

(vi) Upon request, pursuant to contract and on a

reimbursable basis, provide unemployment insurance benefit and

wage information to the department of housing and urban

development and to other public housing agencies. Such

information shall be provided as required by the McKinney

Homeless Act of 1988, section 904(c) and in a manner as

prescribed by the secretary of labor;

(vii) Disclose information contained in its records

to the United States secretary of health and human services or

his designee, as necessary for the purposes of the national

directory of new hires established under section 453 of the

Social Security Act. The requesting agency shall reimburse the

department for the cost of furnishing this information. The

department shall work in conjunction with other states to ensure

that adequate safeguards exist at the federal level so that

state information being provided under this section is not

disclosed for any purpose, except as authorized by law;

(viii) Upon request, pursuant to contract and on a

reimbursable basis, disclose and furnish copies of records

relating to the administration of this act to the railroad

retirement board;

(ix) Require any recipient of information disclosed

under this subsection to comply with any safeguards necessary

and specified in federal law to ensure that the information

furnished shall be used only for the purposes authorized.

(b) A requesting agency shall agree that information

obtained under paragraph (a)(iv) of this section be used only

for establishing and collecting child support obligations from

and locating individuals owing obligations enforced pursuant to

a plan described under 42 U.S.C. § 654, and that information

obtained under paragraph (a)(v) of this section be used only for

determining the applicant's eligibility for benefits or the

amount of benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance

program. The agency shall also reimburse the department for the

cost of furnishing this information. Requirements for

confidentiality of information under this act and the penalties

for improper disclosure apply to the use of this information by

officers and employees of any child support or supplemental

nutrition assistance program agency and the United States

department of agriculture.

otherwise provided:

(i) Repealed By Laws 2005, ch. 186, § 3.

(ii) Notwithstanding W.S. 27-3-603 and subject to

regulations of the commission and pursuant to contract, disclose

necessary information obtained from any employing unit or

individual under this act and any determination of benefit

rights to any state or federal agency administering

Wagner-Peyser Act or federal Workforce Innovation and

Opportunity Act or subsequent similar enactments training

services;

(iii) Repealed By Laws 2005, ch. 186, § 3.

(iv) Cooperate with any federal agency administering

any unemployment compensation law;

(v) Allow access to information obtained pursuant to

the administration of this act to the division of criminal

investigation of the attorney general's office, upon a written

request by the director which demonstrates there is a reasonable

basis to believe the health or safety of a person is in danger

and the information may lead to the elimination of that danger;

(vi) Allow the state auditor's office and the

division of worker's compensation access to certain information

obtained under this act limited to the name, address, social

security identification number and other general information

pertaining to benefit entitlement and employers. Disclosure of

information under this paragraph is for purposes of comparing

information of the department with that of a requesting state

agency for the detection of improper or fraudulent claims or the

determination of potential tax liability, for employer

compliance with notification, registration, certification or

qualification requirements or for the collection of amounts owed

the department;

(vii) Upon request, disclose information not

otherwise restricted by law or contract to the bureau of labor

statistics;

(viii) Upon written request, disclose any information

obtained under this act to director or agency head, or his

designee or agent, in the executive branch of federal or state

government to be used by the public official only for official

business in connection with the administration of a law or in

the enforcement of a law by that public official. The

requesting agency shall reimburse the department for the cost of

furnishing this information unless the cost is insignificant;

(ix) Inform a project owner or contractor if his

prime contractor or any subcontractor has notified the

department and whether or not the prime contractor or any

subcontractor is in compliance with this act;

(x) Pursuant to contract, disclose wage information

on a nonreimbursable basis to the social security administration

utilizing the unemployment insurance interstate inquiry system;

(xi) Require any recipient of information disclosed

under this subsection to comply with any safeguards necessary as

specified in federal regulation to ensure that the information

furnished shall be used only for the purposes authorized;

(xii) Notwithstanding W.S. 27-3-603 and subject to

regulations of the commission, disclose necessary information

obtained from any employing unit or individual under this act

and any determination of benefit rights to any state or federal

agency administering unemployment compensation laws or federal

tax laws and to the office of the United States bankruptcy

trustee.

(d) The department may conduct and publish statistical

analysis of payroll and employment of state agencies in the

executive branch and of school districts, which may reveal the

identity of state agency and school district employing units.

27-3-608. Agreements by department with other states,

federal government and foreign governments authorized.

(a) Notwithstanding W.S. 27-3-104 through 27-3-108, the

department may enter into arrangements with other states for

services performed by an individual ordinarily performing

services in more than one (1) state for a single employing unit.

Subject to election by the employing unit and approval of the

affected states, the arrangement may specify that service is

performed entirely within the state in which:

(i) Any part of the individual's services are

performed;

(ii) The employing unit maintains its principal place

of business; or

(iii) The individual has his residence.

(b) The department is also authorized to enter into

agreements with other states or the federal government for wages

or services entitled to benefits under the law of another state

or the federal government to be wages for insured work under

this act or under the law of another state or the federal

government. The department shall participate in arrangements

approved by the United States secretary of labor for the payment

of compensation by combining an individual's wages and

employment covered under this act with those covered under the

laws of other states which assure the prompt and full payment of

compensation, apply the base period of a single state law to a

claim involving the combination of wages and employment covered

under two (2) or more state laws and avoid duplication of wages

and employment. No arrangement under this subsection shall be

entered into unless the participating state or federal agency

agrees to reimburse the fund for the amount of benefits paid

under this act for wages or services the department finds fair

and reasonable. The department shall reimburse to other state or

federal agencies a reasonable portion of benefits paid under

their law.

from or to the fund in accordance with arrangements pursuant to

this section. For purposes of this act, reimbursements payable

are benefits.

(d) To the extent authorized by federal law and

constitution and agreements entered into between the federal

government and foreign governments, the department may enter

into or cooperate in agreements for facilities and services

provided by a foreign government for use in receiving claims and

paying benefits under this act or similar law of the foreign

government.

27-3-609. Legal representation in civil and criminal

actions.

(a) In any civil action to enforce this act, the

department may be represented by a qualified attorney employed

by the department or by the attorney general at the request of

the department.

(b) All criminal actions for violation of this act or any

rules or regulations issued pursuant to this act shall be

prosecuted by the attorney general or at his request and under

his direction, by the district attorney for the county in which

the prosecution is brought.

27-3-610. Establishment of fee schedule and payment for

certain services.

The department may charge a fee and require payment to recover

the cost of services for photocopying, preparation of forms or

other material in responding to inquiries to provide information

not confidential by law, furnishing publications prepared by the

department and any other services rendered by the department

which are not directly related to the administration of this

act. Such fees shall be deposited into the employment security

administration account.

27-3-611. Maintenance of records by department;

procedures.

The department may maintain any or all of its records on a

computer imaging system that maintains true and accurate copies

or images of original documents. The department may destroy

original documents after putting the documents in the computer

imaging system. True and accurate copies generated by the

computer imaging system shall be admissible in court or

administrative hearings under the same conditions as the

original document would be admissible.

ARTICLE 7 - PENALTIES

27-3-701. Financing of contributions or waiver of rights

by employees.

No employer shall directly or indirectly make, require or accept

any deduction from wages or payments by employees to finance

contributions required by this act or require or accept any

waiver of an employee's right under this act. Any employer or

his officer or agent violating this section shall be fined not

less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) nor more than one

thousand dollars ($1,000.00), imprisoned for not more than six

(6) months, or both. Each violation is a separate offense.

27-3-702. Obtaining benefits by fraud; disqualification of

benefits; penalties.

(a) No person shall, for himself or any other person,

knowingly make a false statement or misrepresentation or

knowingly fail to disclose a material fact to obtain or increase

benefits or other payments under this act or other state or

federal law. Any person violating this section is guilty of:

(i) A misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more

than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), imprisonment for not

more than ninety (90) days, or both, if the amount of benefits

obtained in violation of this section is less than one thousand

dollars ($1,000.00); or

(ii) A felony punishable by imprisonment for not more

than five (5) years, a fine of not more than five thousand

dollars ($5,000.00), or both, if the amount of benefits obtained

under fraud is one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or greater.

(b) Upon conviction the court shall require the defendant

to make restitution to the department in the amount of benefits

or other payments improperly paid due to the defendant's fraud.

Each false statement, misrepresentation or failure to disclose a

material fact is a separate offense. This section shall not

preclude prosecution under any other applicable law.

a person convicted under this section or any other applicable

law shall be disqualified from receiving benefits in any week

beginning within a two (2) year period immediately following

conviction.

27-3-703. Fraud by employing unit; refusal to furnish

reports; failure to make required payments; failure to comply

with injunction order; penalties.

(a) No officer, agent or any other individual of an

employing unit shall knowingly make a false statement or

misrepresentation or knowingly fail to disclose a material fact

with the intention of preventing or reducing the payment of

benefits to any entitled individual, to avoid being subject to

this act or to avoid or reduce any contribution or other payment

required from an employing unit under this act, or willfully

fail or refuse to make any contribution or other payment. Any

such individual violating this subsection is guilty of a

misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than ninety

(90) days, a fine of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars

($750.00), or both. Each false statement, misrepresentation or

failure to disclose a material fact is a separate offense.

(b) Any employing unit or if the employing unit is a

corporation, any officer or director liable under W.S.

27-3-510(e), fraudulently failing to pay contributions required

under this act for a period of two (2) or more consecutive

calendar quarters or the total of which exceeds five hundred

dollars ($500.00), is guilty of a felony punishable by a fine of

not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00), imprisonment

for not more than five (5) years, or both.

unit who willfully refuses or fails to furnish any report or to

produce or permit the inspection of records required by this act

is guilty of a misdemeanor. Each day of any failure or refusal

is a separate offense.

(d) Any employing unit failing to comply with a court

order issued pursuant to W.S. 27-3-502(h), or any partner or

corporate officer of the employing unit aiding or assisting the

employing unit in not complying with the court order, is guilty

of a misdemeanor.

(e) This section shall not preclude prosecution under any

other applicable state law.

27-3-704. General penalty.

Any person willfully violating this act or any order, rule or

regulation under this act for which no specific penalty is

provided is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not more

than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), imprisoned not more

than sixty (60) days, or both. Each day of violation is a

separate offense.

27-3-705. Improper filing of claims; penalties.

An individual who knowingly and with the intent to defraud

allows or authorizes another person to sign the individual's

name or use his personal identification number to make or file a

claim for benefits on the individual's behalf is subject to the

penalties prescribed in W.S. 27-3-311(e) and 27-3-702(a).

27-3-706. Experience rating manipulation; penalties.

(a) A person who knowingly, or with deliberate ignorance

or reckless disregard of the true facts or the requirements of

this act, violates or attempts to violate W.S. 27-3-507 or any

other provision of this act related to determining the

assignment of a contribution rate, or who knowingly advises

another to violate the requirements of W.S. 27-3-507 or any

other provision of this act related to determining the

assignment of a contribution rate, shall be subject to the

following penalties:

(i) A person who is an employer shall be assigned,

for the rate year during which the noncompliance or

misrepresentation occurred and for the following three (3) rate

years, the highest rate assignable under W.S. 27-3-503. If the

person's business is already at the highest rate for any year,

or if the amount of increase in the person's rate would be less

than two percent (2%) for that year, then a penalty rate of two

percent (2%) of taxable wages shall be imposed for that year.

This penalty may exceed the maximum assignable rate;

(ii) A person who is not an employer shall be subject

to a civil penalty of not more than fifty thousand dollars

($50,000.00). Funds received by the division under this

paragraph shall be paid over to the state treasurer to be

credited to the public school fund of the county in which the

violation for which the penalty imposed occurred;

(iii) In addition to the penalty imposed pursuant to

paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this subsection, any violation or

attempted violation of W.S. 27-3-507 or any other provision of

this act related to determining the assignment of a contribution

rate may be prosecuted as a felony punishable by a fine of not

more than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00), imprisonment for

not more than five (5) years, or both. The fine under this

paragraph shall be paid over to the state treasurer to be

credited to the public school fund of the county in which the

violation for which the penalty imposed occurred.

ARTICLE 8 - SHORT TIME COMPENSATION PROGRAM

27-3-801. Definitions.

(a) As used in this article:

(i) "Affected unit" means a specified plant,

department, shift or other definable unit of an employer that

includes two (2) or more employees to which an approved short

time compensation plan applies;

(ii) "Director" means the director of the department

of workforce services or the director's designee responsible for

approving applications for participation in a short time

compensation plan;

(iii) "Health and retirement benefits" means employer

provided health benefits and retirement benefits under a defined

benefit pension plan as defined in section 414(j) of the

Internal Revenue Code or contributions under a defined

contribution plan defined in section 414(i) of the Internal

Revenue Code that are incidents of employment in addition to the

cash remuneration earned;

(iv) "Short time compensation" means the unemployment

benefits payable to employees in an affected unit under an

approved short time compensation plan, as distinguished from the

benefits otherwise payable under this act;

(v) "Short time compensation plan" means a plan

submitted by an employer for approval by the director under

which the employer requests the payment of short time

compensation to employees in an affected unit of the employer to

avert layoffs;

(vi) "Unemployment compensation" means the benefits

payable under this act other than short time compensation and

includes any amounts payable pursuant to an agreement under any

federal law providing for compensation, assistance or allowances

with respect to unemployment;

(vii) "Usual weekly hours of work" means the usual

hours of work for full-time or part-time employees in the

affected unit when that affected unit is operating on the unit's

regular basis, not to exceed forty (40) hours and not including

hours of overtime work.

27-3-802. Participation in the short time compensation

program; director approval.

(a) An employer seeking to participate in the short time

compensation program shall submit a signed written short time

compensation plan in a form acceptable to the department for

approval by the director. No plan shall be approved under this

article unless the employer is in good standing with the

department.

(b) The department shall develop an application form for

an employer to request approval of a short time compensation

plan and an approval process. The director may approve a short

time compensation plan only if the plan:

(i) Describes the affected unit covered by the plan,

including the number of full-time and part-time employees in the

unit and the percentage of employees in the unit covered by the

plan;

(ii) Identifies each employee in the affected unit by

name, social security number and any other information required

by the director to identify the plan participants;

(iii) Provides a description of how employees in the

affected unit will be notified of the employer's participation

in the short time compensation plan, including how the employer

will notify those employees in a collective bargaining unit as

well as any employees in the affected unit who are not in a

collective bargaining unit. If the employer is unable to provide

advance notice to employees in the affected unit, the employer

shall explain in the application why it is not feasible to

provide the notice required under this paragraph;

(iv) Identifies the usual weekly hours of work for

the employer's employees in the affected unit and the specific

percentage by which the employees' hours shall be reduced during

all weeks covered by the plan. A short time compensation plan

shall only be approved if the percentage by which the employees'

hours will be reduced is not less than ten percent (10%) and not

more than sixty percent (60%). If the plan includes any week for

which the employer regularly provides no work then the week

shall be identified by the employer;

(v) Certifies that if the employer provides health

and retirement benefits to any employee whose usual weekly hours

of work are reduced under the short time compensation plan, the

benefits will continue to be provided to employees participating

in the short time compensation program under the same terms and

conditions as though the usual weekly hours of work of such

employee had not been reduced or to the same extent as other

employees not participating in the short time compensation

program. In addition, the following shall apply:

(A) For defined benefit retirement plans, the

hours that are reduced under the short time compensation plan

shall be credited for purposes of participation, vesting and

accrual of benefits as though the usual weekly hours of work had

not been reduced. The dollar amount of employer contributions to

a defined contribution plan that are based on a percentage of

compensation may be less due to the reduction in the employee's

compensation;

(B) A short time compensation plan may satisfy

the certification requirement under this paragraph when a

reduction in health and retirement benefits scheduled to occur

during the duration of the plan will be applicable equally to

employees who are not participating in the short time

compensation program and to those employees who are

participating.

(vi) Certifies that the aggregate reduction in work

hours is in lieu of layoffs. The plan shall include an estimate

of the number of employees who would have been laid off in the

absence of the short time compensation plan;

(vii) Certifies that the employer agrees to furnish

reports to the department relating to the administration of the

plan and authorizes the department to access all records

necessary for the director to assess a short time compensation

plan for approval and to monitor and evaluate the administration

of the plan. The employer shall also agree to follow any other

directives necessary for the department to implement the plan

and which are consistent with the requirements of this article;

(viii) Certifies that the employer's participation in

the short time compensation plan and the plan's implementation

are consistent with the employer's obligations under applicable

federal and state laws;

(ix) Certifies that the plan shall expire not later

than the end of the twelfth full calendar month after the

effective date of the plan;

(x) Satisfies any other requirements specified by the

department that the United States secretary of labor determines

to be appropriate for purposes of a short time compensation

program.

27-3-803. Approval of a short time compensation plan.

The director shall approve or deny a short time compensation

plan submitted by an employer within thirty (30) days of receipt

of the plan and promptly notify the employer of the decision. A

decision denying a plan shall clearly identify the reasons for

the denial. The director's decision shall be final. An employer

whose plan is not approved shall be allowed to submit another

short time compensation plan for approval in accordance with

rules specified by the commission.

27-3-804. Effective date and duration of the short time

compensation plan.

(a) An approved short time compensation plan shall be

effective on the date that is mutually agreed upon by the

employer and the director. The plan shall expire at the end of

the twelfth full calendar month after the plan's effective date

or an earlier date proposed in the approved short time

compensation plan. The effective date and expiration date of an

approved plan shall be specified in a notice of approval

provided to the employer by the department.

(b) If a short time compensation plan is revoked by the

director under W.S. 27-3-806, the plan shall terminate on the

date specified in the director's written order of revocation.

plan at any time upon written notice to the director as

specified by rule of the commission. Upon receipt of such notice

from the employer, the director shall promptly notify each

employee of the affected unit of the termination date. An

employer may submit a new application to participate in another

short time compensation plan at any time after the expiration or

termination of a previous plan.

27-3-805. Modification of an approved short time

compensation plan.

(a) An employer may request a substantial modification of

an approved short time compensation plan by submitting a written

request to the department. The request shall specify the

proposed provisions to be modified and explain why the

modification is appropriate. Subject to subsection (b) of this

section, the director shall approve or deny in writing the

proposed modification within twenty (20) days of receipt and

promptly notify the employer.

(b) The director may approve a substantial modification

request under subsection (a) of this section based on conditions

that have changed since the short time compensation plan was

originally approved provided that the modification is consistent

with and supports the purposes for which the plan was initially

approved. A modification shall not extend the expiration date of

the original plan. If the director approves a substantial plan

modification request, the effective date of the modification

shall be included in the notice provided to the employer.

director approval but the employer shall promptly report every

change to the plan in writing to the director. If the director

determines that the reported change is substantial, the

department shall require the employer to submit a substantial

plan modification request. The director may revoke an employer's

plan if the employer fails to meet the reporting requirement

under this subsection.

27-3-806. Revocation of short time compensation plan

approval.

(a) The director may revoke approval of a short time

compensation plan for good cause at any time including upon the

request of any of the affected unit's employees. Good cause

shall include an employer's failure to comply with the

assurances and certifications given in the employer's plan under

W.S. 27-3-802, unreasonable revision of productivity standards

for an affected unit, conduct or occurrences tending to defeat

the intent and effective operation of the short time

compensation plan and violation of any criteria on which

approval of the plan was based.

(b) Any revocation by the director of a short time

compensation plan shall be provided to the employer in writing

and shall specify the reasons for the revocation and the date

the revocation is effective. A revocation under this section

shall be subject to review under the Wyoming Administrative

Procedure Act.

of short time compensation plans to assure that no good cause

exists for revocation of approved plans.

27-3-807. Eligibility for short time compensation

benefits.

(a) An employee shall only be eligible to receive short

time compensation with respect to any week if:

(i) The employee is monetarily eligible for

unemployment compensation;

(ii) The employee is not otherwise disqualified for

unemployment compensation;

(iii) During that week, the employee is employed as a

member of an affected unit under an approved short time

compensation plan that was approved prior to that week and the

plan is in effect with respect to the week for which short time

compensation is claimed.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this act

relating to an employee's availability for work and actively

seeking work, the employee is eligible to receive shared work

benefits for a week in which the employee is able to work and is

available for additional hours of work or for full-time work

with the employee's short time compensation employer.

Participating in training as approved by the department to

enhance job skills or participating in employer-sponsored

training or training funded under the federal Workforce

Innovation and Opportunity Act shall satisfy the requirements of

this section.

employee covered by a short time compensation plan is deemed

unemployed in any week during the duration of such plan if the

employee's remuneration is reduced based on a reduction of the

employee's usual weekly hours of work under an approved short

time compensation plan.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an

eligible employee shall not be denied short time compensation

benefits because of any provision of this act that provides

requirements concerning:

(i) Availability for work;

(ii) Actively searching for work;

(iii) Any refusal to apply for or accept work with an

employer other than the participating employer whose plan is

approved under this article.

27-3-808. Benefits.

(a) The short time compensation weekly benefit amount

available to employees under an approved plan shall be the

product of the employee's regular weekly unemployment

compensation amount for a week of total unemployment multiplied

by the percentage of reduction in the employee's usual weekly

hours of work.

(b) An employee may be eligible for short time

compensation or unemployment compensation except no employee

shall be:

(i) Eligible for combined benefits in any benefit

year in an amount more than the maximum entitlement established

for regular unemployment compensation;

(ii) Paid short time compensation benefits for more

than fifty-two (52) weeks under a short time compensation plan.

be deducted from the maximum entitlement amount of regular

unemployment compensation established for that employee's

benefit year.

(d) Provisions applicable to unemployment compensation

claimants under this act shall apply to short time compensation

claimants to the extent that they are not inconsistent with W.S.

27-3-801 through 27-3-810. The department shall issue a monetary

determination to any employee who files an initial claim for

short time compensation benefits.

(e) Employees who work in an affected unit of a short time

compensation employer and another employer during weeks covered

by the approved short time compensation plan shall be subject to

the following:

(i) If the combined hours of work in a week for both

employers do not result in a reduction of at least ten percent

(10%) of the usual weekly hours of work with the short time

employer, the employee shall not be entitled to benefits under

the short time compensation plan;

(ii) If the combined hours of work for both employers

results in a reduction equal to or greater than ten percent

(10%) of the usual weekly hours of work for the short time

compensation employer, the short time compensation benefit

amount payable to the employee shall be reduced for that week in

an amount determined by multiplying the weekly unemployment

benefit amount for a week of total unemployment by the

percentage by which the combined hours of work have been reduced

by ten percent (10%) or more of the employee's usual weekly

hours of work. A week for which benefits are paid under this

paragraph shall be reported as a week of short time

compensation;

(iii) If an employee worked the reduced percentage of

the usual weekly hours of work for the short time compensation

employer and is available for all his usual hours of work with

the short time compensation employer and the employee did not

work any hours for the other employer either because of the lack

of work with that employer or because the employee is excused

from work with the other employer, the employee shall be

eligible for short time compensation for that week. The benefit

amount for such week shall be calculated as provided in

subsection (a) of this section.

(f) An employee who is not provided any work during a week

by the short time compensation employer or any other employer

and who is otherwise eligible for unemployment compensation

shall be eligible for the amount of regular unemployment

compensation to which they would otherwise be eligible.

(g) An employee who is not provided any work by the short

time compensation employer during a week but who works for

another employer and is otherwise eligible may be paid

unemployment compensation for that week subject to the

disqualifying income and other provisions applicable to claims

for regular unemployment compensation.

27-3-809. Charging short time compensation benefits.

Short time compensation shall be charged to employers'

experience rating accounts in the same manner as unemployment

compensation is charged under this act. The department may

relieve an employer of charges or not require reimbursement for

short time compensation benefits if the benefits are subject to

one hundred percent (100%) reimbursement by the federal

government or as otherwise specified by law.

27-3-810. Extended benefits.

An employee who has received all of the short time compensation

or combined unemployment compensation and short time

compensation available in a benefit year shall be considered an

exhaustee for purposes of extended benefits as provided under

W.S. 27-3-315 and if otherwise eligible under those provisions

shall be eligible to receive extended benefits.

27-3-811. Reporting requirements.

Not later than November 1 of each year until November 1, 2026,

the department shall report to the joint appropriations

committee on the short time compensation program established

pursuant to this article. The report shall describe the

administration of the short time compensation program, the

number of employers participating in the program and the amount

of funds that have been expended by the department on the

program.

CHAPTER 4 - WAGES

ARTICLE 1 - IN GENERAL

27-4-101. Semimonthly payments required; method of

payment; agricultural operations exempt; payment in case of

labor dispute or temporary layoff.

(a) Every person, firm or corporation, engaged in the

operation of any railroad, mine, refinery, and work incidental

to prospecting for, or the production of, oil and gas, or other

factory, mill or workshop, within the state of Wyoming, shall,

on or before the first day of each month, pay their employees

the wages earned by them during the first half of the preceding

month ending with the fifteenth day of the month, and on or

before the fifteenth day of each month pay their employees the

wages earned by them during the last half of the preceding

month; provided, however, that if at any time of payment any

employee shall be absent from his or her regular place of labor,

and shall not receive his or her wages, at that time due and

owing, through a duly authorized representative, he or she shall

be entitled to payment at any time thereafter upon demand on the

proper paymaster or at the place where wages are usually paid;

provided, further, that if the first or the fifteenth of the

month occurs on a day which is not a working day, that the last

preceding working day shall be the payday, for all personnel who

are regularly paid at one (1) location, provided, every employer

shall establish and maintain regular paydays as herein provided

and shall post and maintain copies of this law printed in plain

type in at least two (2) conspicuous places where the notices

can be seen by the employees.

(b) Every employer shall, at the time of each payment of

wages, furnish each of his employees with a detachable part of

the check, draft or voucher, paying the employees' wages, giving

an itemized statement in writing showing all deductions made

from such wages. If the employer does not make his payroll

payments in the aforementioned manner, then he shall provide

such itemized statement on a slip attached to such payment.

Nothing in W.S. 27-4-101 through 27-4-103 shall be construed to

prohibit an employer from depositing wages due or to become due

or an advance on wages to be earned, in an account in any bank,

savings and loan association, credit union or other financial

institution authorized by the United States or one (1) of the

several states to receive deposits in the United States if the

employee has voluntarily authorized such deposit.

provisions provided herein.

(d) When work of any employee is suspended as a result of

a labor dispute, or when an employee for any reason whatsoever

is temporarily laid off, the employer shall pay in full to such

employee on the next regular payday, either through the regular

pay channels or by mail if requested by the employee, wages

earned to the time of suspension or layoff.

27-4-102. Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 162, § 2.

27-4-103. Semimonthly payments required; penalty.

Every person violating any of the provisions of this act, shall

be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof, shall be

punished by a fine of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars

($750.00), or by imprisonment in the county jail for a period of

not more than six (6) months, or by both fine and imprisonment.

27-4-104. Payment of employee quitting or discharged and

suit for wages; generally.

(a) Whenever an employee quits service or is discharged,

the employee shall be paid whatever wages are due him in lawful

money of the United States of America, or by check or draft

which can be cashed at a bank, no later than the employer's

usual practice on regularly scheduled payroll dates or at a time

specified under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement

between the employer and the employee. The employer may offset

from any monies due the employee as wages, any sums due the

employer from the employee which have been incurred by the

employee during his employment. This section does not apply to

the earnings of a sales agent employed on a commission basis and

having custody of accounts, money or goods of his principal

where the net amount due the agent may not be determinable

except after an audit or verification of sales, accounts, funds

or stocks.

(b) Whenever an employee who has quit, has been discharged

from service, or because of action taken by the employer is

prevented from working has cause to bring suit for wages earned

and due, and shall establish in court the amount which is justly

due, the court shall allow to the plaintiff interest on the past

due wages at the rate of eighteen percent (18%) per annum from

the date of discharge or termination or from the date when

unpaid wages are required to be paid as specified in this act,

together with a reasonable attorney fee and all costs of suit.

Prosecution of a civil action to recover unpaid wages does not

preclude prosecution under W.S. 27-4-105.

27-4-105. Payment of employee quitting or discharged and

suit for wages; penalty.

Every person, firm or corporation willfully violating any of the

provisions of W.S. 27-4-104 is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall

be punished by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars

($500.00) nor more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00)

for each offense.

27-4-106. Assignment of certain accounts and prosecution

of certain suits prohibited; generally.

It is hereby declared unlawful for any creditor or other holder

of any evidence of debt, book account, or claim of any name or

nature against any laborer, servant, clerk or other employee of

any corporation, firm or individual in this state for the

purpose below stated, to sell, assign, transfer, or by any means

dispose of any such claim, book account, bill or debt of any

name or nature whatever, to any person or persons, firm,

corporation or institution, or to institute elsewhere than in

this state or prosecute any suit or action for any such claim or

debt against any such laborer, servant, clerk or employee, by

any process seeking to seize, attach or garnish the wages of

such person or persons earned within sixty (60) days prior to

the commencement of such proceedings for the purpose of avoiding

the effect of the laws of the state of Wyoming concerning

exemptions.

27-4-107. Assignment of certain accounts and prosecution

of certain suits prohibited; aiding violation deemed unlawful.

It is hereby declared unlawful for any person or persons to aid,

assist, abet or counsel a violation of W.S. 27-4-106 for any

purpose whatever.

27-4-108. Assignment of certain accounts and prosecution

of certain suits prohibited; prima facie evidence.

In any proceeding, civil or criminal, growing out of a breach of

W.S. 27-4-106 and 27-4-107, proof of the institution of a suit

or service of garnishment summons by any persons, firm or

individual in any court of any state or territory other than

this state, to seize by process of garnishment or otherwise, any

of the wages of such persons as defined in section 1 of this act

shall be deemed prima facie evidence of an evasion of the laws

of the state of Wyoming, and a breach of the provisions of W.S.

27-4-106 through 27-4-109 on the part of the creditor or

resident in Wyoming causing the same to be done.

27-4-109. Assignment of certain accounts and prosecution

of certain suits prohibited; liability and penalty for unlawful

assignment.

Any person, firm, company, corporation, or business institution

guilty of a violation of W.S. 27-4-106 and 27-4-107 shall be

liable to the party so injured for the amount of the debt sold,

assigned, transferred, garnisheed, or sued upon, with all costs

and expenses, and a reasonable attorney's fee to be recovered in

any court of competent jurisdiction in this state, and shall

further be liable by prosecution to punishment by a fine not

exceeding the sum of one hundred dollars ($100.00) and costs of

prosecution.

27-4-110. Assignments of wages; acceptance by employer;

filing.

No assignment of, or order for, wages to be earned in the future

to secure a loan of less than two hundred dollars ($200.00)

shall be valid against an employer of the person making said

assignment or order until said assignment or order is accepted

in writing by the employer, and said assignment or order and the

acceptance of the same have been filed and recorded with the

clerk of the city or town where the party making said assignment

or order resides, if a resident of this state, or in which he is

employed, if not a resident of the commonwealth.

27-4-111. Assignments of wages; consent of marital spouse

required.

No assignment of or order for, wages to be earned in the future

shall be valid, when made by a married individual, unless the

written consent of the spouse to the assignment is attached

thereto.

27-4-112. Assignments of wages; certain banks exempt from

assignment provisions.

National banks and all banking institutions which are under the

supervision of the bank examiner shall be exempt from the

provisions of this act.

27-4-113. Contracts for alien labor; when unenforceable.

No contract made for labor or services with any alien or

foreigner previous to the time that such alien or foreigner may

come into the state shall be enforced within this state for any

period after six (6) months from the date of such contract.

27-4-114. Contracts for alien labor; measure of recovery;

defenses.

Any alien or foreigner who shall hereafter perform labor or

services for any person or persons, company or corporation

within this state, shall be entitled to recover from such person

or persons, company or corporation, a reasonable compensation

for such labor or services, notwithstanding such person or

persons, company or corporation may have paid any other party or

parties for the same; and in actions for the price of such labor

or services, no defense shall be admitted to the effect that the

defendant or defendants had contracted with other parties who

had, or pretended to have, power or authority to hire out the

labor or services of such party or parties, or to receive the

pay or price for such labor or services.

27-4-115. Contracts for alien labor; third party receiving

pay for alien's labor prohibited.

Any person, whether he or she acts for himself or herself, or as

agent, attorney or employee for another or others, who shall, in

pursuance of, or by virtue of, any contract made with any alien

or foreigner, made before such alien or foreigner came into this

state, receive or offer to receive any money, pay or

remuneration for the labor or services of any alien or

foreigner, excepting the person so performing such labor or

services, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, on

conviction thereof, shall be fined in a sum not less than five

hundred dollars ($500.00), and not more than five thousand

dollars ($5,000.00), and imprisoned in the county jail for not

less than three (3) nor more than twelve (12) months, for each

and every offense.

27-4-116. Employee not liable for dishonored check;

penalty.

(a) No employer shall withhold money from an employee's

wages for accepting a check on behalf of the employer which is

not paid because the check is dishonored unless:

(i) The employer has provided written instructions as

to procedures for accepting checks and the employee fails to

follow the procedures; or

(ii) The employer reasonably believes that the

employee has been a party to a fraud or other wrongdoing in

taking a dishonored check.

(b) Every employer who violates this section is guilty of

a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than seven

hundred fifty dollars ($750.00).

ARTICLE 2 - MINIMUM WAGES

27-4-201. Definitions.

(a) As used in this act:

(i) "Wage" means compensation due to an employee by

reason of his employment;

(ii) "Employ" includes to suffer or to permit to

work;

(iii) "Employer" includes any individual,

partnership, association, corporation, business trust, or any

person or group of persons acting directly or indirectly in the

interest of an employer in relation to an employee;

(iv) "Employee" includes any individual employed by

an employer but shall not include:

(A) Any individual employed in agriculture;

(B) Any individual employed in domestic service

in or about a private home;

executive, administrative, or professional capacity;

(D) Any individual employed by the United

States, or by the state or any political subdivision thereof;

(E) Any individual engaged in the activities of

an educational, charitable, religious, or nonprofit organization

where the employer-employee relationship does not, in fact,

exist or where the services rendered to such organization are on

a voluntary basis;

(F) Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 1, § 2.

(G) Any individual employed as an outside

salesman whose compensation is solely commission on sales;

(H) Any individual whose employment is driving

an ambulance or other vehicle from time to time as necessity

requires but who is on call at any time;

(J) Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 1, § 2.

(v) In this act, "shall" is used in an imperative

sense and "may" is used in a permissive sense;

(vi) "Occupation" means any occupation, service,

trade, business, industry, or branch or group of industries or

employment or class of employment in which individuals are

gainfully employed.

27-4-202. Minimum wage rates.

(a) Every employer shall pay to each of his or her

employees wages at a rate of not less than five dollars and

fifteen cents ($5.15) per hour.

(b) Effective April 1, 2001 and thereafter, all employers

who employ tipped employees shall not pay less than two dollars

and thirteen cents ($2.13) per hour to his tipped employees.

Provided further, if the wage paid by the employer combined with

the tips received by the employee during a given pay period does

not equal at least the applicable minimum wage as prescribed in

subsection (a) of this section, the employer shall pay the

difference to the tipped employee. For the purposes of this act,

all "tip" employees shall furnish monthly to their respective

employers the daily record of tips required to be kept by "tip"

employees under the laws of the United States and upon the forms

prescribed by the internal revenue service of the United States

treasury department. The daily record of tips shall constitute

prima facie proof of the amount of tips received by the

employee. Proof of a customary tipping percentage of sales or

service shall also be an admissible form of proof of the amount

of tips. A "tip" employee is one who customarily and regularly

receives more than thirty dollars ($30.00) a month in tips.

this section, any employer may pay any employee who has not

attained the age of twenty (20) years a wage which is not less

than four dollars and twenty-five cents ($4.25) per hour during

the first ninety (90) consecutive days after the employee is

initially employed by the employer. No employer may take any

action to displace employees, including partial displacements

such as reduction in hours, wages or employment benefits for

purposes of hiring individuals at the wage authorized in this

subsection.

27-4-203. Record of work of employees required.

Every employer subject to this act shall make, and keep for a

period of not less than two (2) years in or about the premises

wherein any employee is employed, a record of the name, address

and occupation of each of his employees, the rate of pay, and

the amount paid each pay period to each such employee, the hours

worked each day and each work week by such employee.

27-4-204. Liability for unpaid minimum wage; suit for

collection.

(a) Any employer who shall pay to any employee wages at a

rate less than that prescribed in the foregoing section shall be

liable in a civil action, to the employee in the amount of his

or her unpaid minimum wage, and the aggrieved employee may bring

a civil action for enforcement of this act and the recovery of

his or her unpaid wages together with reasonable attorney fees

and the costs of the action.

(b) Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 71, § 2.

ARTICLE 3 - EQUAL PAY

27-4-301. Definitions.

(a) "Employee" means any individual employed by an

employer.

(b) "Employer" includes any person acting directly or

indirectly in the interest of an employer in relation to an

employee.

(d) "Occupation" includes any industry, trade, business or

branch thereof, or any employment or class of employment.

(e) "Director" means the director of the department of

workforce services or his designee who is authorized to

administer W.S. 27-4-301 through 27-4-304.

(f) "Person" includes one (1) or more individuals,

partnerships, corporations, associations, legal representatives,

trustees, trustees in bankruptcy or receivers.

27-4-302. Prohibition on paying employees less for same

work.

(a) No employer shall discriminate, within the same

establishment in which the employees are employed, between

employees on the basis of gender by paying wages to employees at

a rate less than the rate at which the employer pays wages to

employees of the opposite gender for equal work on jobs the

performance of which requires equal skill, effort and

responsibility and which are performed under similar working

conditions, except where the payment is made pursuant to:

(i) A seniority system;

(ii) A merit system;

(iii) A system which measures earning by quantity or

quality of production; or

(iv) A differential based on any other factor other

than gender.

27-4-303. Liability of employer generally; liquidated

damages; individual and group actions; assignment of claim.

(a) An employer who violates the provisions of W.S.

27-4-302 shall be liable to the employee or employees affected

in the amount of their unpaid wages, and in an additional equal

amount as liquidated damages. Action to recover liability may be

maintained in any court of competent jurisdiction by any one (1)

or more employees for and in behalf of the employee or the

employees and other employees similarly situated, and no

agreement by the employee to work for less than the wage to

which the employee is entitled under this act shall be a defense

to any action.

(b) Upon receipt of a written claim by any employee of a

violation of this act, the director shall process, investigate

and determine the validity of the claim. The director shall

have power to join various claims against the same employer in

one (1) claim. If either the employer or employee is aggrieved

by the director's determination, the aggrieved party may request

a fair hearing. The aggrieved party must file a written request

for hearing within fifteen (15) calendar days of receipt of the

director's determination. Upon receipt of a timely submitted

request for hearing, the director shall appoint an independent

hearing officer to conduct the fair hearing between the employer

and employee. The fair hearing shall be conducted pursuant to

the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act. The hearing officer's

determination shall constitute the director's final agency

action. Upon a finding by the hearing officer that the claim is

valid, the director shall order the employer to pay the amount

of wages due plus an additional equal amount as liquidated

damages. Where the employer failed to appeal an adverse

determination to the district court and failed to comply with

the director's order, the director shall refer the matter to the

appropriate county attorney for enforcement of the director's

order.

27-4-304. Penalty for violations.

Any employer who willfully violates any provision of this act,

or who discharges or in any other manner discriminates against

any employee because the employee has made any complaint to his

employer, the director or any other person, or instituted, or

caused to be instituted any proceeding under or related to this

act, or has testified or is about to testify in the proceedings,

shall, upon conviction by a court of competent jurisdiction, be

punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars

($500.00), by imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or

both.

ARTICLE 4 - PREVAILING WAGES

27-4-401. Short title.

This act may be known and may be cited as the Wyoming Prevailing

Wage Act of 1967.

27-4-402. Definitions.

(a) As used in this act:

(i) "Construction" includes construction,

reconstruction, improvement, enlargement, alteration or repair

of any public improvement fairly estimated to cost one hundred

thousand dollars ($100,000.00) or more;

(ii) "Director" shall mean the director of the

department or his designee;

(iii) "Prevailing hourly rate of wages" means the

wages paid generally to and the associated customary and usual

fringe benefit costs paid on behalf of workers engaged in work

of a similar character;

(iv) Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 145, § 2.

(v) "Maintenance work" means the repair, but not the

replacement, of existing facilities when the size, type or

extent of the existing facilities is not thereby changed or

increased;

(vi) "Public body" means the state of Wyoming or any

officer, board or commission of the state;

(vii) "Public works" means all fixed works

constructed for public use, whether or not done under public

supervision or direction, or paid for wholly or in part out of

public funds or assessment of property owners or rights users;

(viii) "Workmen" means laborers, workmen and

mechanics employed directly upon the actual construction site by

contractors or subcontractors or the public body;

(ix) "Locality" for public heavy, highway projects

and public building projects means the following districts

wherein the physical work is performed:

(A) For federal highway and construction

projects:

(I) The entire state of Wyoming excluding

any area defined as a metropolitan statistical area pursuant to

44 U.S.C. 3504(e)(3) and 31 U.S.C. 1104(d);

(II) Any area defined as a metropolitan

statistical area pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 3504(e)(3) and 31 U.S.C.

1104(d).

(B) For state only heavy and highway projects,

the entire state of Wyoming;

state of Wyoming.

(x) "Department" means the department of workforce

services;

(xi) "This act" means W.S. 27-4-401 through 27-4-413.

27-4-403. Prevailing hourly wage on public works projects;

transportation of materials; exception for trainees.

(a) Except as provided by subsection (c) of this section,

not less than the prevailing hourly rate of wages for work of a

similar character in the locality in which the work is

performed, shall be paid to all workmen employed by or on behalf

of any public body engaged in the construction of public works,

exclusive of maintenance work. Only such workmen as are directly

employed in actual construction work on the site of the building

or construction job shall be deemed to be employed on public

works.

(b) When the hauling of materials or equipment includes

some phase of construction other than the mere transportation to

the site of the construction, workmen engaged in the dual

capacity shall be deemed employed directly on public works when

such work shall be more than incidental to the regular duties of

the hauling.

employee employed pursuant to and registered in a training or an

apprenticeship program approved by the United States department

of labor or a training program approved by the department of

transportation and the federal highway administration, except

where specified by registered or approved training or

apprenticeship programs, shall be paid as follows:

(i) During the first half of the training period, at

a rate not less than sixty percent (60%) of the appropriate

minimum journeyman's wage rate specified within the employment

contract;

(ii) During the period commencing upon completion of

the first half of the training program and ending upon

completion of seventy-five percent (75%) of the program, at a

rate not less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the appropriate

minimum journeyman's wage rate specified within the employment

contract;

(iii) During the remaining portion and until

completion of the training program, at a rate not less than

ninety percent (90%) of the appropriate minimum journeyman's

wage rate specified within the employment contract.

27-4-404. Director to investigate complaints; rules and

regulations.

Upon complaint of violation of this act or upon reasonable

suspicion that a violation of this act has occurred, the

director shall investigate, and shall institute actions for

penalties herein prescribed when proven violations are

considered by him to be intentional and willful in nature. The

director may establish rules and regulations for the purpose of

carrying out the purposes of this act.

27-4-405. Duty of public authority to ascertain wage rate

for public works; requirement as to call for bids.

(a) Before any public body awards a contract for public

works, it shall obtain from the department the prevailing hourly

rate of wages in the locality in which the work is to be

performed, for each craft or type of workman needed to execute

the contract or project. The public body shall specify in the

resolution or ordinance and in the call for bids for the

contract, what the prevailing hourly rate of wages in the

locality is for each craft or type of workman needed to execute

the contract, and it shall be mandatory upon the contractor to

whom the contract is awarded and upon any subcontractor under

him, to pay not less than the specified rates to all workmen

employed by them in the execution of the contract. The public

body awarding the contract shall cause to be inserted in the

contract a stipulation to the effect that not less than the

prevailing hourly rate of wages as determined by the department

pursuant to W.S. 27-4-406, or determined by the court on review,

shall be paid to all workmen performing work under the contract.

It shall also require in all the contractor's bonds that the

contractor include such provision as will guarantee the faithful

performance of the prevailing hourly wage clause as provided by

the contract. The finding of the department specifying the

prevailing hourly rate of wages in accordance with this

subsection, shall be final for all purposes of the contract then

being considered, unless reviewed under the provisions of this

act. A public body doing public works directly shall comply with

the prevailing hourly rate of wages portion of this subsection

for each craft or type of workman so employed. In reviewing bids

for public works contracts, the public body shall only award a

bid preference in the percentage specified in W.S. 16-6-102(a)

to any prospective contractor who participated, as certified by

the department, in the department's wage survey for the period

applicable to the contract being awarded.

(b) In determining prevailing hourly wage rates, the

department shall ascertain and consider the applicable hourly

wage rates established by collective bargaining agreements, if

any, such hourly wage rates as are paid generally within the

locality and the most current department hourly wage survey as

adjusted in W.S. 27-4-406.

27-4-406. Wage rate to be filed with director and mailed

to employers and certain employees.

(a) The department shall annually determine the prevailing

hourly rate of wages within the state for all occupations,

crafts or type of workers expected to be required for public

works in the state. In carrying out this subsection, the

department shall:

(i) Repealed By Laws 2007, Ch. 109, § 2.

(ii) Provide for a moving average wage adjustment as

defined in rules and regulations of the department;

(iii) Customize a survey for the construction trades.

(b) Upon determining the prevailing hourly rate of wages

under subsection (a) of this section, the department shall

provide notice of its determination to:

(i) The general public by publication in a newspaper

of general circulation within each locality for which a

prevailing wage rate is determined; and

(ii) Each state agency and, upon written request, to

any employer or other person. Notice under this paragraph shall

be made promptly by certified mail.

27-4-407. Objection to rates filed; hearing; ruling;

judicial review.

(a) At any time within fifteen (15) days after publication

and notification of wage determinations under W.S. 27-4-406, any

affected person may object in writing to the determination or

part thereof by filing a written notice with the director,

stating the specific grounds of the objection. The written

objection shall be a public record and available for inspection

by any person who may be affected.

(b) Within ten (10) days of the receipt of the objection,

the director shall set a date for a hearing on the objection.

The date for the hearing shall be within thirty (30) days of the

receipt of the objection. Written notice of the time and place

of the hearing shall be given to the objectors at least five (5)

days prior to the date set for the hearing.

separately or consolidate for hearing any two (2) or more

written objections. At the hearing the department shall

introduce in evidence the methodology it used and any other

facts which were considered at the time of the original

determination which formed the basis for its determination. The

department or any objectors thereafter may introduce evidence

which is material to the issues. In no case shall the department

be required to disclose any payroll data or survey data which

was used in making a determination under W.S. 27-4-406 which can

be used to identify any individual employer.

(d) Within ten (10) days of the conclusion of the hearing,

the director shall rule on the written objections and make a

final determination as the evidence warrants. Immediately upon a

final determination, the director shall serve a certified copy

upon on all parties to the proceedings by personal service or by

registered mail.

(e) The final decision of the director of the prevailing

wages in the locality shall be subject to review in accordance

with the provisions of the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act.

All proceedings in any district court affecting a determination

of the director shall have priority in hearing and determination

over all other civil proceedings pending in the court, except

election contests.

27-4-408. Director's finding final unless reviewed;

payments in excess of prevailing rate not prohibited; hours of

work not limited.

The findings of the director ascertaining and declaring the

prevailing hourly rate of wages shall be final for the locality,

unless reviewed as provided by law. Nothing in this act,

however, shall be construed to prohibit the payment to any

workman employed on any public work of a sum exceeding the

prevailing hourly rate of wages. Nothing in this act shall be

construed to limit the hours of work which may be performed by

any workman in any particular period of time.

27-4-409. Hearing procedure.

The procedure before the director for hearing of objections

shall be as provided in the Wyoming Administrative Procedure

Act.

27-4-410. Records of contractors.

The contractor and each subcontractor or the officer of the

public body in charge of the project shall keep an accurate

record showing the names and occupations of all workmen employed

by them, in connection with the public work, and showing also

the actual wages paid to each of the workmen, which record shall

be open at all reasonable hours to the inspection of the

director or the public body awarding the contract, its officers

and agents.

27-4-411. Workman's right to recover difference in wages.

Any workman who shall be paid for his services a sum less than

the stipulated rates for work done under the contract, shall

have a right of action for whatever difference there may be

between the amount so paid and the rates provided by the

contract, and shall be entitled to a reasonable attorney fee if

successful.

27-4-412. Penalty for violations.

Any officer, agent or representative of any public body who

willfully violates, or omits to comply with any of the

provisions of this act, and any contractor or subcontractor, or

agent or representative thereof, doing public work who

intentionally or willfully neglects to keep an accurate record

of the names, occupation and actual wages paid to each workman

employed by him, in connection with the public work, or who

intentionally or willfully refuses to allow access to same at

any reasonable hour to any person authorized to inspect same

under this act, or who intentionally or willfully has failed to

pay the prevailing hourly rate of wages, shall be punished by a

fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00), or by

imprisonment not exceeding six (6) months, or by both such fine

and imprisonment when convicted by a court of competent

jurisdiction.

27-4-413. Inapplicability and exemptions.

The provisions of W.S. 27-4-401 through 27-4-413, are not

applicable where in conflict with federal statutes, rules or

regulations relating to prevailing wage determinations. All work

and labor performed by prisoners, patients and other inmates of

state penal, correctional and charitable institutions and city

or county jails, are exempt from the provisions of this act. All

work and labor performed by workmen regularly employed by the

public body are exempt from the provisions of W.S. 27-4-401

through 27-4-413 if the cost of construction does not exceed

twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00).

ARTICLE 5 - COLLECTION OF UNPAID WAGES

27-4-501. Definitions.

(a) Whenever used in this act:

(i) "Employer" means any individual, partnership,

association, joint stock company, trust, corporation, labor

organization, the administrator or executor of the estate of a

deceased individual, or the receiver, trustee, or successor of

any of the same, employing any person;

(ii) "Employee" means any person who, under the usual

common law rules applicable in determining the employer-employee

relationship, has the status of an employee;

(iii) "Wages" means compensation, including fringe

benefits, for labor or services rendered by an employee, whether

the amount is determined on a time, task, piece, commission, or

other basis, but does not include the value of vacation leave

accrued at the date of termination if the written policies of

the employer provide that accrued vacation is forfeited upon

termination of employment and the written policies are

acknowledged in writing by the employee;

(iv) "Department" means the department of workforce

services;

(v) "This act" means W.S. 27-4-501 through 27-4-508.

27-4-502. Claims for unpaid wages; anti-retaliation.

(a) The department is hereby empowered to take claims for

unpaid wages under the provisions of W.S. 27-4-101 and 27-4-104.

The department in taking a claim for unpaid wages as provided

for in this act is not to exceed the maximum amount specified in

section 507(a)(4) of title 11, United States Code for claims

arising out of bankruptcy or two (2) months wages for any claims

not arising out of bankruptcy, per employee per wage claim.

(b) It shall be an unlawful employment practice for any

employer to discharge, harass, discipline or in any other manner

discriminate against any employee because the employee filed a

claim for unpaid wages or made any other complaint or instituted

or caused to be instituted any proceeding under or related to

this act or testified, assisted or participated in any manner in

an investigation, proceeding or hearing under this act. Any

employer who violates the provisions of this subsection shall be

liable for legal or equitable relief as may be appropriate to

effectuate the purposes of this act including continued

employment, reinstatement, promotion and the payment of wages

lost and an additional equal amount as liquidated damages.

27-4-503. Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 162, §2.

27-4-504. Investigation and determination of unpaid wage

claims; hearing; orders; collection of unpaid wages.

(a) Upon receipt of a written claim for unpaid wages, the

department shall process, investigate and determine the validity

of the claim.

(b) If either the employer or employee is aggrieved by the

department's determination, the aggrieved party may request a

fair hearing. The aggrieved party must file a written request

for hearing within fifteen (15) calendar days of receipt of the

department's determination. Upon receipt of a timely submitted

request for hearing, the director shall appoint an independent

hearing officer to conduct the fair hearing between the employer

and employee. The fair hearing shall be conducted pursuant to

the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act. The hearing officer's

determination shall constitute the director's final agency

action.

wage claim is valid and either the time for judicial review has

passed or the decision has been affirmed by final judicial

review, the department shall order the employer to pay the

amount of unpaid wages due. The department's order is not

appealable or subject to judicial review. The department shall,

with the assistance of the county attorney, initiate legal

proceedings to collect the unpaid wages in the court having

jurisdiction based on the total amount of unpaid wages due.

(d) An employer's failure to comply with a department's

order is punishable by a civil fine not to exceed two hundred

dollars ($200.00) for each day the employer fails to comply with

the order.

27-4-505. County attorney to assist in collection of

unpaid wages.

In suits commenced under this act where the employer failed to

comply with the department's order to pay the unpaid wages due,

the department shall refer the matter to the appropriate county

attorney for enforcement of the department's order.

27-4-506. Limitation on attempts to make payment of wages

collected; unclaimed wages.

The department shall attempt for a period of not less than four

(4) months from the date of the collection, to make payments of

wages collected under this act to the persons entitled to the

wages. Wages collected by the department which remain unclaimed

for a period of more than four (4) months from the date of

collection, shall be unclaimed property for purposes of W.S.

34-24-101 through 34-24-140.

27-4-507. Tips and gratuities; unlawful to pay lower wage

than that agreed upon; unlawful to fraudulently fail to pay

fringe benefits agreed upon.

(a) Tips and gratuities received by an employee or

employees shall be the sole property of such employee or

employees and not payable in whole or in part to the employer or

any other person.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any employer to pay to any

employee a lower wage, salary, or compensation than that

provided for or agreed upon by (1) a collective bargaining

agreement; (2) a contract between the employer and employee. In

no event shall a collective bargaining agreement or a contract

provide for compensation lower than any applicable existing

statute of this state.

his agent to provide or make payments to a health or welfare

fund, pension fund, vacation plan, apprenticeship program, or

other such employment benefits, it shall be unlawful for said

employer to willfully, or with intent to defraud, fail to make

the payments required by the terms of any such agreement.

27-4-508. Agreements for reciprocal enforcement; of claim

to another state.

(a) The department is hereby empowered to enter into

agreements with agencies of other states or the federal

government for the reciprocal enforcement and collection of wage

claims if those states have a statute authorizing the same.

(b) In the event the department has taken a wage claim for

collection and the employer against which the claim has been

filed has moved to another state, the department may refer the

claim with the written approval of the employee to the proper

agency of the other state for collection, provided that there is

in existence at the time a reciprocal agreement with the state

for the collection of claims. The department is also authorized

to accept claims from other states for collection of wages from

employers who have removed to Wyoming.

CHAPTER 5 - HOURS OF LABOR

27-5-101. State and county employees; overtime

compensation.

(a) The period of employment of state and county employees

is eight (8) hours per day and forty (40) hours per week which

constitute a lawful day's and week's work respectively.

(b) Except for employees whose maximum salary is remitted

by statute, any state or county employee may be compensated at a

rate one and one-half (1 1/2) times their regular compensation

for each hour of service required to be performed in excess of

eight (8) hours per day and forty (40) hours per week. If

overtime compensation is paid pursuant to this section, no

additional benefits, including compensatory time off, shall be

allowed to the employee receiving the overtime compensation.

appropriate employing governing body subject to the following:

(i) For employees of the executive branch of state

government, pursuant to rules and regulations of the human

resources division of the department of administration and

information. The human resources division shall specify what

employees may receive overtime compensation, may require

notification of an intent to pay overtime compensation preceding

rendering of the additional services, and may prescribe any

other limitations deemed desirable;

(ii) For employees of the legislative branch of state

government, pursuant to rules and regulations of the management

council of the legislative service office or resolution of the

legislature;

(iii) For employees of the judicial branch of state

government, pursuant to rules and regulations of the Wyoming

supreme court;

(iv) For county employees, pursuant to rules and

regulations of the respective boards of county commissioners.

27-5-102. Working day; mines generally.

(a) The lawful working day in all underground mines is

eight (8) hours per day, except:

(i) In case of emergency;

(ii) By mutual agreement between an employer and

employee or employees' representative for a longer period of

employment, but not to exceed sixteen (16) hours in any

twenty-four (24) hour period.

27-5-103. Repealed by Laws 1979, ch. 87, § 4.

27-5-104. Repealed by Laws 1979, ch. 87, § 4.

27-5-105. Repealed by Laws 1979, ch. 87, § 4.

27-5-106. Repealed by Laws 1979, ch. 87, § 4.

27-5-107. Repealed by Laws 1979, ch. 87, § 4.

27-5-108. Punitive action prohibited; penalty.

Any employer who takes or threatens punitive action against any

employee who refuses to work more than eight (8) hours in any

twenty-four (24) hour period, except as provided by W.S.

27-5-102, is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to the penalty

provided by W.S. 27-5-110.

27-5-109. Definitions.

(a) As used in this act:

(i) "Emergency" means any condition which, if not

corrected immediately, will jeopardize:

(A) Human life; or

(B) Property.

(ii) "Employer" means any owner, lessee, agent,

operator or manager of any underground mine;

(iii) "Punitive action" means to discharge, suspend

or reprimand or threaten to discharge, suspend or reprimand, or

diminish or threaten to diminish in any way any person's

position or salary for refusing to work more than eight (8)

hours in any twenty-four (24) hour period, in other than an

emergency situation;

(iv) "Working day" means eight (8) hours of

employment in any twenty-four (24) hour period;

(v) "This act" means W.S. 27-5-102, 27-5-108,

27-5-109 and 27-5-110.

27-5-110. Penalties.

Any person who violates any of the provisions of this act is

guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction, for each offense,

shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred

dollars ($500.00), or by imprisonment for not more than six (6)

months, or both.

CHAPTER 6 - EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN

27-6-101. Repealed by Laws 1996, ch. 8, § 1.

27-6-102. Repealed by Laws 1996, ch. 8, § 1.

27-6-103. Repealed by Laws 1996, ch. 8, § 1.

27-6-104. Repealed by Laws 1996, ch. 8, § 1.

27-6-105. Repealed by Laws 1996, ch. 8, § 1.

27-6-106. Repealed by Laws 1996, ch. 8, § 1.

27-6-107. Children; proof of age required; prohibited

employment.

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to

employ, permit or allow any child under the age of fourteen (14)

years to work at any gainful occupation except farm, domestic or

lawn and yard service. To ensure that a child is of proper age

to be employed under this section, every person, firm or

corporation employing a child under sixteen (16) years of age

shall procure and have on file where the child is employed, a

form of proof of age as required under W.S. 27-6-108; provided

however that under no circumstances shall any child under

sixteen (16) years of age be employed in any occupation listed

in W.S. 27-6-112 or in any occupation declared by the department

of workforce services to be hazardous for children under sixteen

(16) years of age.

27-6-108. Children; proof of age required; inspection and

form.

(a) The proof of age required by W.S. 27-6-107 shall be

made available for inspection by any official charged with the

enforcement of laws regulating the employment of minors. The

acceptable forms of proof of age include the following:

(i) A duly attested birth certificate;

(ii) A properly prepared immigration and

naturalization form I-9 showing the age of the child; or

(iii) Any other document showing the age of the child

as approved by the department of workforce services.

(b) Repealed By Laws 1997, ch. 182, § 2.

27-6-109. Repealed By Laws 1997, ch. 182, § 2.

27-6-110. Children; hours of labor.

(a) No child under sixteen (16) years of age shall be

employed, permitted or suffered to work at any gainful

occupation except farm or domestic service, for more than eight

(8) hours in any twelve (12) hour period, or before the hour of

five (5:00) o'clock a.m. or after the hour of ten (10:00)

o'clock p.m. on nights followed by a school day, or after the

hour of twelve (12:00) midnight on days which are not followed

by a school day.

(b) Provided however that children between the ages of

fourteen (14) and sixteen (16) years who are not enrolled in

school may be employed at any gainful occupation for an eight

(8) hour period between the hours of five (5:00) a.m. and twelve

(12:00) midnight of any one (1) day.

27-6-111. Children; employment during school prohibited.

No child under the age of sixteen (16) who is enrolled in any

private or public school in the state of Wyoming shall be

employed, permitted, or suffered to work at any occupation or

service during the time that the classes of said school in which

the said child is enrolled are in session.

27-6-112. Children; prohibition of employment in certain

occupations.

(a) No child under sixteen (16) years of age shall be

employed, permitted, or allowed to work at, in, or in connection

with any of the following occupations, or at any of the

following kinds of work except for the purpose of instruction in

the public schools:

(i) The operation of or working on heavy construction

equipment;

(ii) Employment requiring contact with or exposure to

explosives or dangerous chemicals; or in any other occupation

declared by the department of workforce services as hazardous,

for the employment of children under sixteen (16) years of age.

(b) The department of workforce services is hereby

authorized to declare any occupation hazardous for the

employment of children under sixteen (16) years of age.

27-6-113. Children; penalty for violations.

(a) Any person employing any child or children in

violation of the provisions of this chapter, or any child,

subject hereto, who willfully and intentionally violates the

provisions of this chapter, or any person who permits a

violation, is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction

thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than seven

hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), imprisonment for not more than

one hundred (100) days, or both.

(b) Nothing in this chapter applies to or prevents a child

under fourteen (14) years of age to be employed in a

nonhazardous occupation outside of school hours by his parents,

grandparents or legal guardian, or by a business owned by his

parents, grandparents or legal guardian.

27-6-114. Employment of children under 16 in amusement,

immoral or dangerous pursuits forbidden; exceptions.

(a) It is unlawful for any person having the care, custody

or control of any child under the age of sixteen (16) years to:

(i) Exhibit, use or employ that child:

(A) As an actor or performer in any concert hall

or room where alcoholic liquors and malt beverages are sold or

given away except as provided in subsection (b) of this section;

(B) For any illegal or immoral purpose;

exhibition or vocation injurious to the morals, health or safety

of the child.

(ii) Cause, procure or encourage a child to engage in

any practice specified in paragraph (a)(i) of this subsection.

(b) Nothing in this section applies to or prevents:

(i) The employment or use of any child as:

(A) A singer or musician in any church, school

or academy;

(B) A dishwasher, busboy or delivery person in a

place where alcoholic liquors and malt beverages are sold.

(ii) The teaching or learning of the science or

practice of music;

(iii) The physical development of a child's body in

any respectable gymnasium or natatorium;

(iv) Children from taking part in amateur

entertainments or theatricals for charity, or not for profit, in

schools, churches, settlement houses or boys' or girls' clubs.

27-6-115. Repealed by Laws 1996, ch. 8, § 1.

27-6-116. Repealed by Laws 2019, ch. 137, § 2.

CHAPTER 7 - LABOR UNIONS; DISPUTES AND INJUNCTIONS; RIGHT TO

WORK

27-7-101. Policy of state; organized labor permitted.

It is hereby declared to be the policy of the state of Wyoming

that workers have the right to organize for the purpose of

protecting the freedom of labor, and of bargaining collectively

with employers of labor for acceptable terms and conditions of

employment, and that in the exercise of the aforesaid rights,

workers should be free from the interference, restraint or

coercion of employers of labor, or their agents in any concerted

activities for their mutual aid or protection.

27-7-102. Issuance of injunctions limited by public

policy.

No court of the state of Wyoming shall have jurisdiction to

issue any restraining order or temporary or permanent injunction

contrary to the public policy declared in this chapter.

27-7-103. Acts not subject to be enjoined.

(a) No court of the state of Wyoming shall have

jurisdiction to issue any restraining order or temporary or

permanent injunction in any case involving or growing out of any

labor dispute to prohibit any person or persons participating or

interested in such dispute from doing, whether singly or in

concert, any of the following acts:

(i) Ceasing or refusing to perform any work or to

remain in any relation of employment;

(ii) Becoming or remaining a member of any labor

organization or of any employer organization;

(iii) Paying or giving to, or withholding from, any

person participating or interested in such labor dispute, any

strike or unemployment benefits or insurance, or other moneys or

things of value;

(iv) By all lawful means aiding any person

participating or interested in any labor dispute who is being

proceeded against in, or is prosecuting, any action or suit in

any court of the United States or of any state;

(v) Giving publicity to the existence of, or the

facts involved in, any labor dispute, whether by advertising,

speaking, patrolling, or by any other method not involving fraud

or violence;

(vi) Assembling peaceably to act or to organize to

act in promotion of their interests in a labor dispute;

(vii) Advising or notifying any person of an

intention to do any of the acts heretofore specified;

(viii) Agreeing with other persons to do or not to do

any of the acts heretofore specified; and

(ix) Advising, urging, or otherwise causing or

inducing without fraud or violence the acts heretofore

specified, regardless of any such undertaking or promise.

27-7-104. Unlawful combination or conspiracy not grounds

for injunction.

No court of the state of Wyoming shall have jurisdiction to

issue a restraining order or temporary or permanent injunction

upon the ground that any of the persons participating or

interested in a labor dispute constitute or are engaged in an

unlawful combination or conspiracy because of the doing in

concert of the acts enumerated in W.S. 27-7-103.

27-7-105. Hearing prerequisite for injunction; temporary

restraining orders.

No court of the state of Wyoming shall have jurisdiction to

issue a temporary or permanent injunction in any case involving

or growing out of a labor dispute except after hearing the

testimony of witnesses in open court (with opportunity for

cross-examination) in support of the allegations of a complaint

made under oath, and testimony in opposition thereto, if

offered. Provided, however, that nothing in this section shall

prevent any such court from issuing a temporary restraining

order in accordance with the code of civil procedure, but any

such restraining order shall provide that a hearing for a

temporary injunction shall be held not later than three (3) days

after the granting of such restraining order, and such

restraining order shall not be effective beyond the date of such

hearing for a temporary injunction.

27-7-106. Injunction to include only specific acts.

Every restraining order or injunction granted in a case

involving or growing out of a labor dispute shall include only a

prohibition of such specific act or acts as may be expressly

complained of in the petition filed in such case and sustained

by competent evidence adduced in open court.

27-7-107. Limitation on liability of officers, members or

organizations.

No officer or member of any association or organization, and no

association or organization participating or interested in a

labor dispute, shall be held responsible or liable in any court

of the state of Wyoming for the unlawful acts of individual

officers, members, or agents, except upon clear proof of actual

participation in, or actual authorization of, such acts, or

ratification of such acts after actual knowledge thereof.

27-7-108. Right to work; definitions.

(a) The term "labor organization" means any organization,

or any agency or employee representation committee, plan or

arrangement, in which employees participate and which exists for

the purpose, in whole or in part, of dealing with employers

concerning grievances, labor disputes, wages, rates of pay,

hours of employment, or conditions of work.

(b) The term "person" shall include a corporation,

association, company, firm or labor organization, as well as a

natural person.

27-7-109. Right to work; membership in labor organization

not required.

No person is required to become or remain a member of any labor

organization as a condition of employment or continuation of

employment.

27-7-110. Right to work; abstention from membership in

labor organization not required.

No person is required to abstain or refrain from membership in

any labor organization as a condition of employment or

continuation of employment.

27-7-111. Right to work; payment or nonpayment of dues not

required.

No person is required to pay or refrain from paying any dues,

fees, or other charges of any kind to any labor organization as

a condition of employment or continuation of employment.

27-7-112. Right to work; connection with or approval by

labor organization not required.

No person is required to have any connection with, or be

recommended or approved by, or be cleared through, any labor

organization as a condition of employment or continuation of

employment.

27-7-113. Right to work; misdemeanor to impose or try to

impose prohibited requirements; civil liability.

Any person who directly or indirectly places upon any other

person any requirement or compulsion prohibited by this act, or

who makes any agreement written or oral, express or implied, to

do so, or who engages in any lockout, layoff, strike, work

stoppage, slow down, picketing, boycott or other action or

conduct, a purpose or effect of which is to impose upon any

person, directly or indirectly, any requirement or compulsion

prohibited by this act, is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall

also be liable in damages to any person injured thereby.

27-7-114. Right to work; injunction against prohibited

conduct.

Any person injured or threatened with injury by any action or

conduct prohibited by this act shall, notwithstanding any other

law to the contrary, be entitled to injunctive relief therefrom.

27-7-115. Right to work; penalties.

Any person convicted of a misdemeanor, as defined in this act,

shall be punished by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars

($1,000.00), or imprisonment in the county jail for a term not

to exceed six (6) months, or both.

CHAPTER 8 - EMPLOYMENT OFFICES AND AGENCIES

27-8-101. Licenses required; fees; posting.

No person, firm or corporation shall open, operate or maintain

in this state any employment office or agency for the purpose of

furnishing employers with persons seeking employment at manual

labor or in clerical, industrial, commercial or business

pursuits, or for the purpose of securing employment for such

described persons, or where a fee, commission or other

consideration is charged or exacted or received from applicants

either for employment or for help, without first obtaining a

license for the same from the department of workforce services.

The uniform fee for such license in cities of five thousand

(5,000) inhabitants and over shall be twenty-five dollars

($25.00) per annum, and in cities containing less than five

thousand inhabitants, ten dollars ($10.00) per annum. Every

license shall contain a designation of the city, street and

number of the building in which such office or agency is

conducted, and such license together with a copy of this act

shall be posted in a conspicuous place in each and every

employment agency.

27-8-102. Termination and cost of license.

All licenses issued after this act takes effect shall terminate

on the thirty-first day of December of each year, and shall be

paid for at the rate per year established in this act; provided,

however, that no license for any fractional part of the year

shall be issued for any sum less than one-third of the full

annual rate, and that fractional months shall be counted as full

months in every case.

27-8-103. Bond of licensee.

The department of workforce services shall require with each

application for a license a bond in the sum of five hundred

dollars ($500.00) with one (1) or more sureties to be approved

by the department, and conditioned that the obligors will not

violate any of the duties, terms, conditions, provisions or

requirements of this act, or of other laws germane hereto. For

any violation of the conditions of said bond, the department is

authorized to commence and prosecute an action or actions on

said bond or bonds in the name of the state of Wyoming, through

the attorney general or other proper prosecuting officer.

27-8-104. Revocation of license; complaint; hearing.

Whenever a written complaint shall be filed with the department

of workforce services stating that any party so licensed as

aforesaid, shall have violated any of the provisions of this

act, the department shall give to said licensee notice of such

complaint and appoint a day for a hearing thereon. If after a

full and fair hearing, the department finds that the party

licensed has violated any of the provisions of this act, the

department is authorized to revoke the license theretofore

issued to said party.

27-8-105. Licensed agencies to maintain registers.

It shall be the duty of every licensed agency to keep a register

in which shall be entered with dates the name and address of

every person who shall make application for help or servants,

and the name and nature of such employment for which such help

shall be wanted. Such register shall, at all reasonable hours be

kept open to the inspection and examination of the department of

workforce services.

27-8-106. Registration fee.

Where a registration fee is charged for receiving or filing

application for employment of help, such fee shall in no case

exceed the sum of one dollar ($1.00), unless the salary or wages

to be paid shall be more than three dollars ($3.00) per day, in

which case a fee of not more than two dollars ($2.00) may be

charged. A duplicate receipt shall be given for such fee, (one

(1) copy to be kept by the employee and the other by the

employer) in which receipt there shall be stated the name and

address of the applicant, the date of such application, the

amount of the fee, and the nature of the work to be done or the

situation to be procured. In the event that the said applicant

shall not obtain a situation or employment through such licensed

agency, then after the expiration of three (3) days from the

time of registration such licensed agency shall repay and return

to such applicant, upon demand being made therefor, the full

amount of the fee paid or deposited by said applicant to such

licensed agency.

27-8-107. Fraudulent notices or advertisements, and false

information or promises prohibited.

No licensed agency shall publish or cause to be published any

false or fraudulent notice or advertisement, or give any false

information or make any false promise concerning or relating to

work or employment to anyone who shall apply for employment, and

no licensed agency shall make any false entry in the register to

be kept as herein provided.

27-8-108. Duty of department to file complaints of

violations; duty to enforce.

It shall be the duty of the department of workforce services,

when informed of any violation of this act, to file complaint of

such violation with the attorney general or with the district

attorney for the county in which such violation is alleged to

have occurred and it shall be the duty of the official informed

to institute proceedings for the enforcement of the penalties.

27-8-109. Department of workforce services to account.

All money or monies received from fees under this act shall be

forthwith accounted for by the department of workforce services

and turned over to the state treasurer, taking the state

treasurer's receipt for the same. Such monies shall become a

part of the state general fund.

27-8-110. Free employment bureaus and university placement

services excepted.

Free employment bureaus and placement services of the University

of Wyoming now or hereafter organized or established in this

state, are not subject to this act.

27-8-111. Penalty.

Any person violating any of the provisions of this act shall be

deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof

shall be punished by a fine of not less than fifty dollars

($50.00) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100.00), or by

imprisonment in the county jail for a period not exceeding six

(6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment as the court

may direct.

CHAPTER 9 - FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

27-9-101. Short title.

This article may be known and may be cited as the "Wyoming Fair

Employment Practices Act of 1965."

27-9-102. Definitions.

(a) "Court" shall mean the district court in and for the

judicial district of the state of Wyoming in which the asserted

unfair employment practice occurred, or, if said court be not in

session at that time, then any judge of said court.

(b) "Employer" shall mean the state of Wyoming or any

political subdivision or board, commission, department,

institution or school district thereof, and every other person

employing two (2) or more employees within the state; but it

does not mean religious organizations or associations.

"Employer" shall include those divisions of the Wyoming military

department that are authorized by federal authority.

practices specified as discriminatory or unfair in W.S.

27-9-105.

(d) As used in W.S. 27-9-101 through 27-9-106,

"department" means the department of workforce services and the

term "director" means the director of the department or his

designee who is authorized to administer W.S. 27-9-101 through

27-9-106.

27-9-103. Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 63, § 3.

27-9-104. Powers and duties of department of employment.

(a) The department shall have the following powers and

duties:

(i) To call upon any state agency, institution, or

employee, for advice, counsel, and assistance in the enforcement

of this article;

(ii) To adopt, publish, amend, and rescind

regulations consistent with and for the enforcement of this

article;

(iii) To receive, investigate, and determine the

validity of complaints alleging discrimination in employment or

the existence of a discriminatory or unfair employment practice;

(iv) Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 162, § 2.

(v) For the purposes of all counseling, mediation or

investigations the department shall have the power to issue

subpoenas requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses

and the production of any books, papers, documents or records

that the department deems relevant or material to the inquiry or

determination;

(vi) In case of disobedience to a subpoena the

department may invoke the aid of any district court in the state

in requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the

production of documentary evidence. Any failure to obey the

order of the court may be punished by the court as a contempt of

court;

(vii) To enter into agreements, exchange information

and otherwise assist the equal employment opportunity

commission, and to accept from the equal employment opportunity

commission reimbursement for services rendered;

(viii) To enter into agreements, exchange information

and otherwise assist the Wyoming military department to counsel,

mediate, investigate and determine claims by members of the

Wyoming national guard and employees of the military department.

As used in this paragraph, "claims" means claims under this

chapter or claims under the federal laws enforced by the equal

employment opportunity commission, as applicable. The

department shall promulgate rules that coordinate with the

military department rules promulgated under W.S. 19-7-

103(b)(xxv) to accomplish the powers and duties in this

paragraph and W.S. 19-7-103(b)(xxv), consistent with equal

employment opportunity commission rules and requirements and

federal law.

(b) The department shall contract with an independent

hearing officer to conduct any hearing under W.S. 27-9-101

through 27-9-106.

27-9-105. Discriminatory and unfair employment practices

enumerated; limitations.

(a) It is a discriminatory or unfair employment practice:

(i) For an employer to refuse to hire, to discharge,

to promote or demote, or to discriminate in matters of

compensation or the terms, conditions or privileges of

employment against, a qualified disabled person or any person

otherwise qualified, because of age, sex, race, creed, color,

national origin, ancestry or pregnancy;

(ii) For a person, an employment agency, a labor

organization, or its employees or members, to discriminate in

matters of employment or membership against any person,

otherwise qualified, because of age, sex, race, creed, color,

national origin, ancestry or pregnancy, or a qualified disabled

person;

(iii) For an employer to reduce the wage of any

employee to comply with this chapter;

(iv) For an employer to require as a condition of

employment that any employee or prospective employee use or

refrain from using tobacco products outside the course of his

employment, or otherwise to discriminate against any person in

matters of compensation or the terms, conditions or privileges

of employment on the basis of use or nonuse of tobacco products

outside the course of his employment unless it is a bona fide

occupational qualification that a person not use tobacco

products outside the workplace. Nothing within this paragraph

shall prohibit an employer from offering, imposing or having in

effect a health, disability or life insurance policy

distinguishing between employees for type or price of coverage

based upon the use or nonuse of tobacco products if:

(A) Differential rates assessed employees

reflect an actual differential cost to the employer; and

(B) Employers provide written notice to

employees setting forth the differential rates imposed by

insurance carriers.

(b) The prohibitions against discrimination based on age

in this section apply only to persons at least forty (40) years

of age.

employment agency or labor organization to observe the terms of

a bona fide seniority system or any bona fide employee benefit

plan such as a retirement, pension or insurance plan, which is

not a subterfuge to evade the purposes of this chapter, except

that no employee benefit plan shall excuse the failure to hire

any individual, and no seniority system or employee benefit plan

shall require or permit involuntary retirement of any individual

protected under this chapter because of age. Involuntary

retirement is not prohibited if permitted under Title 29, United

States Code § 631(c).

(d) As used in this section "qualified disabled person"

means a disabled person who is capable of performing a

particular job, or who would be capable of performing a

particular job with reasonable accommodation to his disability.

27-9-106. Filing of complaint; determination; appeal for

hearing.

(a) Any person claiming to be aggrieved by a

discriminatory or unfair employment practice may, personally or

through his attorney, make, sign and file with the department

within six (6) months of the alleged violation a verified,

written complaint in duplicate which shall state the name and

address of the person, employer, employment agency or labor

organization alleged to have committed the discriminatory or

unfair employment practice, and which shall set forth the

particulars of the claim and contain other information as shall

be required by the department. The department shall investigate

to determine the validity of the charges and issue a

determination thereupon.

(b) Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 162, § 2.

(d) Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 162, § 2.

(e) Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 162, § 2.

(f) Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 162, § 2.

(g) Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 162, § 2.

(h) Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 162, § 2.

(j) Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 162, § 2.

(k) If the employer, employment agency, labor organization

or employee is aggrieved by the department's determination, the

aggrieved party may request a fair hearing. The fair hearing

shall be conducted pursuant to the Wyoming Administrative

Procedure Act.

(m) The department shall issue an order within fourteen

(14) days of the decision being rendered, requiring the

employer, employment agency or labor organization to comply with

the hearing officer's decision. If the employer, employment

agency or labor organization does not timely appeal or comply

with the order within thirty (30) days, the department may

petition the appropriate district court for enforcement of the

order.

(n) Where the hearing officer determines that the

employer, employment agency or labor organization has engaged in

any discriminatory or unfair employment practice as defined in

this chapter, the hearing officer's decision may:

(i) Require the employer, employment agency or labor

organization to cease and desist from the discriminatory or

unfair practice;

(ii) Require remedial action which may include

hiring, retaining, reinstating or upgrading of employees,

referring of applications for employment by a respondent

employment agency or the restoration to membership by a

respondent labor organization;

(iii) Require the posting of notices, the making of

reports as to the manner of compliance and any other relief that

the hearing officer deems necessary and appropriate to make the

complainant whole; or

(iv) Require the employer, employment agency or labor

organization to pay backpay or front pay.

27-9-107. Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 162, § 2.

27-9-108. Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 162, § 2.

CHAPTER 10 - COLLECTIVE BARGAINING FOR FIRE FIGHTERS

27-10-101. Definitions.

(a) As used in this act the following terms shall, unless

the context requires a different interpretation, have the

following meanings:

(i) The term "fire fighters" shall mean the paid

members of any regularly constituted fire department in any

city, town or county within the state;

(ii) The term "corporate authorities" shall mean the

council, commission or other proper officials of any city, town

or county, whose duty or duties it is to establish wages,

salaries, rates of pay, working conditions, and other conditions

of employment of fire fighters.

27-10-102. Right to collective bargaining and

representation by bargaining agent.

The fire fighters in any city, town or county shall have the

right to bargain collectively with their respective cities,

towns or counties and to be represented by a bargaining agent in

such collective bargaining as to wages, rates of pay, working

conditions and all other terms and conditions of employment.

27-10-103. Selection of exclusive bargaining agent by

majority; withdrawal of agent by majority.

The organization selected by the majority of the fire fighters

in any city, town or county shall be recognized as the sole and

exclusive bargaining agent for all of the members of the

department, unless and until recognition of such bargaining

agent is withdrawn by vote of a majority of the fire fighters.

27-10-104. Obligation of city, town or county to meet with

agent after written notice; written contract of agreement.

It shall be the obligation of the city, town or county, through

its corporate authorities, to meet and confer in good faith with

the representative or representatives of the bargaining agent

within ten (10) days after receipt of written notice from said

bargaining agent of the request for a meeting for collective

bargaining purposes. This obligation shall include the duty to

cause any agreement resulting from negotiations to be reduced to

a written contract, provided that no such contract shall exceed

the term of two (2) years.

27-10-105. When issues to be submitted to arbitration.

In the event that the bargaining agent and the corporate

authorities are unable, within thirty (30) days from and

including the date of their first meeting, to reach an agreement

on a contract, any and all unresolved issues shall be submitted

to arbitration.

27-10-106. Selection of arbitrators.

Within five (5) days from the expiration of the thirty (30) day

period referred to in W.S. 27-10-105, the bargaining agent and

the corporate authorities shall each select and name one (1)

arbitrator and shall immediately thereafter notify each other in

writing of the name and address of the person so selected. The

two (2) arbitrators so selected and named shall, within ten (10)

days from and after the expiration of the five (5) day period

hereinbefore mentioned, agree upon and select and name a third

arbitrator. If on the expiration of the period allowed therefor

the arbitrators are unable to agree upon the selection of a

third arbitrator, a district judge of the judicial district

within which the city is located, shall select him upon request

in writing from either the bargaining agent or the corporate

authorities. The third arbitrator, whether selected as a result

of agreement between the two (2) arbitrators previously

selected, or selected by a district judge, shall act as chairman

of the arbitration board.

27-10-107. Arbitration procedure.

Arbitration shall proceed pursuant to the provisions of the

Uniform Arbitration Act.

27-10-108. Collective bargaining contract; duration of

contract.

Any agreements actually negotiated between the bargaining agent

and the corporate authorities either before, or within thirty

(30) days after arbitration, shall constitute the collective

bargaining contract governing fire fighters and said city, town

or county for the period stated therein provided that term of

such contract shall not exceed two (2) years.

27-10-109. Notice of request for bargaining prior to day

on which money can be appropriated.

Whenever wages, rates of pay, or any other matter requiring

appropriation of money by any city, town or county are included

as matter of collective bargaining conducted under the

provisions of this act, it is the obligation of the bargaining

agent to serve written notice of request for collective

bargaining on the corporate authorities at least one hundred

twenty (120) days before the last day on which money can be

appropriated by the city, town or county to cover the contract

period which is the subject of the collective bargaining

procedure.

CHAPTER 11 - OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

27-11-101. Short title.

This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Wyoming

Occupational Health and Safety Act."

27-11-102. Declaration of policy.

(a) It is hereby declared to be the policy of the state of

Wyoming, that the primary purposes of this act are:

(i) That the prevention of accidents and occupational

diseases and abiding by rules and regulations are the

responsibility of both the employer and the employee;

(ii) To help and assist employers and employees in

accident and occupational disease prevention through educational

means, which shall be made available to all industries,

businesses, employees, employee groups and associations;

(iii) The commission shall furnish consultant

services on development of safety programs, procedures and

training services for employees, supervisors and groups;

(iv) Commission members and its employees shall be

neutral in labor management relations in carrying out the

provisions of this act;

(v) Enforcement shall be used only to obtain

compliance with the act and the rules and regulations

established by the commission;

(vi) It is also the purpose of this act to include

everyone who works in private or public employment or is

self-employed; except that in the case of self-employed persons

in agriculture, its purpose shall be limited to education.

27-11-103. Definitions.

(a) As used in this act:

(i) "Commission" means the occupational health and

safety commission;

(ii) "Department" means the department of workforce

services of the state of Wyoming;

(iii) "Employee" means a person permitted to work by

an employer in employment;

(iv) "Employer" means any individual or organization

including the state and all its political subdivisions, which

has in its employ one (1) or more individuals performing

services for it in employment;

(v) "Employment" means all services for pay under a

contract of hire;

(vi) "Party" means each person or agency named or

admitted as a party or properly seeking and entitled as of right

to be admitted as a party;

(vii) "Person" means an individual, governmental

agency, partnership, association, corporation, business, trust,

receiver, trustee, legal representative or successor to any of

the foregoing;

(viii) "Place of employment" means plant, premises,

or any other place where directed by the employer or about which

an employee is permitted to work;

(ix) "This act" means W.S. 27-11-101 through

27-11-114.

27-11-104. Occupational health and safety commission;

generally.

(a) There is hereby created an occupational health and

safety commission, hereinafter referred to as the "commission,"

which shall be composed of seven (7) members comprised of one

(1) from the general field of employees or employee

organizations; one (1) from the general field of business or

industry; one (1) medical doctor; and four (4) from the public

at large who shall all be appointed by the governor with the

advice and consent of the senate without regard to political

affiliation. The commission members shall choose the commission

chairman annually.

(b) The governor may remove any commission member as

provided in W.S. 9-1-202.

except that of the initially appointed members: one (1) from the

field of business, and one (1) from the field of labor shall

serve six (6) years and one (1) medical doctor who shall serve

for a term of six (6) years; and four (4) members from the

public at large, one (1) to serve a term of two (2) years, one

(1) to serve a term of three (3) years and one (1) to serve a

term of four (4) years and one (1) to serve a term of five (5)

years. The terms of the members shall terminate on the last day

of February of the sixth year after their appointment, except as

initially appointed. The governor shall appoint a member to fill

a vacancy in accordance with W.S. 28-12-101.

(d) The commission shall hold at least four (4) regular

meetings per year at such time and place as the chairman shall

specify. Special meetings may be called by the chairman, and

special meetings must be called by the chairman upon a written

request by four (4) or more members. Four (4) members shall

constitute a quorum. Rules, regulations and variances shall not

be devised, formulated, adopted, amended or repealed except by

majority vote of the entire membership of the commission. All

other matters shall be decided by a majority vote of those in

attendance and constituting a quorum.

(e) Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 63, § 3.

(f) No member of the commission nor any member of any

advisory committees hereinafter referred to, not otherwise in

full-time employment of the state, shall receive any salary but

shall receive the same per diem, mileage and expense allowance

while attending and traveling to and from meetings as officers

or employees of the state are allowed.

(g) The commission shall contract with an independent

hearing officer to hear all contests of notice of violation,

proposed penalty or abatement periods for violations, as written

in the notice of violation received by the employer. The hearing

officer shall be a qualified member of the bar of Wyoming and

may not be an employee of the office of the attorney general or

the department or a member of the commission:

(i) The employer shall have the right to contest the

alleged violation, abatement period or proposed penalty for

violation as written in the notice of violation;

(ii) The employee or the employee representative

shall have the right to contest the abatement period as stated

in the notice of violation and to participate in any hearings

concerning such abatement period;

(iii) The hearing shall be held as soon after

receiving the letter of contest and in a city as near the site

of occurrence as is practicable;

(iv) All hearings shall be conducted pursuant to the

Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act. The hearing officers have

the powers specified in W.S. 16-3-112(b). The hearing officer

shall make written findings of fact and conclusions of law in

each contested case;

(v) The hearing officer shall recommend a decision to

the commission. The decision of the commission is the final

administrative decision. A party adversely affected by a

decision of the commission may appeal to the district court in

the county where the violation allegedly occurred.

(h) Effective July 1, 1979, appointments and terms of

commission members shall be in accordance with W.S. 28-12-101

through 28-12-103.

27-11-105. Occupational health and safety commission;

powers and duties of commission and department.

(a) The department, in consultation with the commission,

has the powers and is hereby charged with the duties:

(i) Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 63, §§ 2, 3.

(ii) To develop and formulate, a comprehensive

program for the prevention, control and abatement of unsafe and

unhealthy working conditions and to direct state agencies and

their staffs to compile statistics, do research, do

investigation and any other duties where practical, possible and

not inconsistent with the purposes of this act;

(iii) To assure that all agencies and their staffs

shall comply with directives of the commission in regard to

occupational health and safety;

(iv) To cooperate, as specified in W.S. 27-2-105 and

in section 24(a) of Public Law 91-596 in the collection,

compilation and analysis of data relative to the occurrence of

occupational injuries and illnesses;

(v) To compile statistics and to require such reports

as may be needed to aid in accomplishing this purpose;

(vi) To do research on the causes and methods of

preventing occupational diseases and accidents;

(vii) To promote accident prevention and occupational

disease prevention programs and to provide consultative and

educational assistance;

(viii) Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 63, §§ 2, 3.

(ix) Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 63, §§ 2, 3.

(x) To select or give emphasis to those areas and

segments of the business and industrial community which need the

concentrated attention and assistance of the commission and its

employees;

(xi) Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 63, §§ 2, 3.

(xii) To enter into agreements with agencies of the

United States government for assistance, cooperation and

enforcement of safety laws and to accept funds from such federal

agencies for the purpose of carrying out any of the provisions

of this act;

(xiii) Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 63, §§ 2, 3.

(xiv) Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 63, §§ 2, 3.

(xv) Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 63, §§ 2, 3.

(xvi) To institute or cause to be instituted

appropriate civil or criminal actions to enforce the provisions

of this act and the rules and regulations promulgated under this

act.

(b) The commission has the following powers and duties:

(i) To prescribe rules of practice and procedure;

(ii) To promulgate, devise, formulate, adopt, amend,

and repeal rules and regulations and to appoint advisory

committees equally composed of employers and employees from the

industries involved to assist and advise the commission:

(A) All rules and regulations shall be reviewed

as needed and revised as necessary. Such review would be under

the same procedures as the original establishment of the rules

and regulations;

(B) The standards set by rule and regulation by

the commission shall take into consideration recognized and

accepted national codes, recognized industrial standards or

similar, in whole or in part, but shall not be limited

exclusively to these;

stringent than corresponding federal rules and regulations. If

there are no corresponding federal rules or regulations the

commission may adopt applicable state rules and regulations.

(iii) To exempt from coverage under this act any

trade or business when the commission deems federal or other

authority is adequate and dual or overlapping authority would

result. If any trade or business is exempted under this section

the commission shall file a detailed report with the governor

showing the reasons for such exemption together with an

affirmance by the federal or other authority that the coverage

is adequate;

(iv) To require that any rules and regulations of the

commission be a part of construction, maintenance or servicing

contracts or other contracts as the commission may determine;

(v) To consider and grant in accordance with and

subject to the terms and limitations provided in W.S. 27-11-111,

variances from standards, rules and regulations promulgated

under this act;

(vi) To require the employer to be charged with the

following duties:

(A) Each employer shall furnish to his

employees, a place of employment and employment which are free

from recognized hazards that are causing or that are likely to

cause death or serious physical harm;

(B) Each employer shall comply with occupational

safety and health standards, rules, regulations and orders

issued pursuant to this act.

(vii) To require the employee to be charged with the

following duty, each employee shall comply with occupational

safety and health standards and all rules, regulations and

orders issued pursuant to this act which are applicable to his

own actions and conduct.

27-11-106. Enforcement and administration.

(a) The department shall enforce and administer this act

and the rules, regulations and orders promulgated and issued

under this act. The commission shall have authority to hold

hearings for the promulgation of rules and regulations in

accordance with the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act. In any

case that goes uncontested the commission may after opportunity

to show cause, enter an order of final disposition which may be

enforced by any district court.

(b) If an imminent danger to health or safety exists,

whether it is in a specific industry where rules and regulations

are in effect or not, the commission or any employee of the

department so authorized is hereby empowered to direct the

person where such imminent danger to health and safety exists to

cease operations immediately in order to eliminate such danger

to health or safety. If such person does not cease operations so

as to eliminate such danger, the commission, its chairman, or

any employee of the department so authorized, may, with the

concurrence of the attorney general, bring a civil suit in the

name of the state in the district court of the county where such

danger exists, or in the United States district court for

Wyoming (if it otherwise has jurisdiction), to restrain such

person from continuing such operations where an imminent danger

to health or safety exists.

the decision of the commission within the time provided for such

an appeal, the commission shall adopt the decision and order the

department and employer to act in accordance with the decision.

Any state district court may enforce commission orders issued in

that county after a hearing where no appeal has been taken. The

United States district court for Wyoming (if it otherwise has

jurisdiction) may also enforce any commission order.

(d) Any suit, action or appeal involving this act or rule,

regulation or order of the commission, shall be advanced for

trial and determined as expeditiously as feasible and no

postponement or continuance shall be granted unless deemed

imperative by the court.

27-11-107. Penalty.

(a) Any employer willfully and knowingly violating any of

the provisions of this act, any health and safety standards,

rules or regulations promulgated under this act or any existing

rule or regulation governing the conditions of employment

promulgated by the commission, which causes death of an

employee, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not

more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) or by imprisonment

of not more than six (6) months or both. If the conviction is

for a violation committed after a first conviction of the same

person, punishment shall be by a fine of not more than twenty

thousand dollars ($20,000.00) or by imprisonment for not more

than one (1) year, or by both.

(b) Any employer willfully and knowingly violating any of

the provisions of this act, any safety and health standards,

rules or regulations promulgated under this act or any existing

rule or regulation governing the conditions of employment

promulgated by the commission may be assessed a civil penalty in

an amount determined by the commission pursuant to subsection

(j) of this section for each violation.

health and safety standards or rules and regulations promulgated

under this act or any existing rule or regulation governing the

conditions of employment promulgated by the commission, the

violation specifically determined to be of a serious nature,

shall be assessed a civil penalty in an amount determined by the

commission pursuant to subsection (j) of this section.

(d) Any employer violating any provision of this act, any

health and safety standards or rules and regulations promulgated

under this act or any existing rule or regulation governing the

conditions of employment promulgated by the commission, the

violation determined not to be of a serious nature, may be

assessed a civil penalty in an amount determined by the

commission pursuant to subsection (j) of this section for each

offense as noted in the notice of violation.

(e) Whoever knowingly makes any false statement,

representation or certification in any application, record,

report, plan or other document filed or required to be

maintained pursuant to this act, upon conviction, shall be

punished by a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars

($10,000.00) or by imprisonment for not more than six (6)

months, or both.

(f) Any employer who violates any of the posting

requirements, as prescribed under the provisions of this act,

may be assessed a civil penalty in an amount determined by the

commission pursuant to subsection (j) of this section for each

violation.

(g) Any employer who fails to correct a violation for

which a notice of violation has been issued, which notice of

violation is not contested or appealed under W.S. 27-11-104 and

27-11-106, initiated by the employer, may be assessed a civil

penalty in an amount determined by the commission pursuant to

subsection (j) of this section for each day the failure or

violation continues.

(h) Payment of all fines and penalties imposed under this

section shall be made to the county treasurer of the county in

which the violation occurs to be credited to the county school

fund.

(j) Unless otherwise specified in this section, the

commission shall through rule and regulation set the civil

penalty amounts to be imposed under subsections (b) through (d),

(f) and (g) of this section. The amount of the civil penalty

shall be no greater than the corresponding federal penalty for

the specified violation as promulgated under the Occupational

Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. § 666, and shall include any

adjustments made to the penalty under the Federal Civil

Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015, 28

U.S.C. § 2461.

27-11-108. Right of entry and inspection; consultation

with employees; penalty for giving advance notice.

(a) Any department authorized employee or representative

of the department may enter and inspect any property, premises

or place, except private residences where persons are employed,

at any reasonable time to investigate health and safety

conditions and compliance with safety and health laws, rules and

regulations. No person conducting an inspection under this

subsection shall unreasonably interfere with the operations,

business or work of any employer or employee. At the opening

conference, immediately before an inspection commences, the

department shall notify employers in writing of their right to

refuse its employees entry to investigate health and safety

conditions unless the employees have a warrant issued by a court

of competent jurisdiction.

(b) A representative or representatives of the employer

and a representative or representatives authorized by the

employees shall be given an opportunity to accompany any duly

authorized employee or representative of the department before

or during the physical inspection of any workplace for the

purpose of aiding such inspection. Where there is no authorized

employee representative, any duly authorized employee or

representative of the department shall consult with a reasonable

number of employees concerning matters of safety and health.

investigation or response to a complaint to be conducted under

the authority, and for the purpose of enforcement of this act,

without the consent of the department shall, upon conviction, be

guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not

more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) or by imprisonment

for not more than six (6) months or both.

27-11-109. Investigation of violations; proceedings;

confidentiality of trade secrets.

(a) The commission or chairman, in their discretion, may

make such public or private investigations as they deem

necessary to determine whether any person or employer has

violated, or is about to violate, any provision of this act, or

any rules, regulation, or order hereunder, or to aid in the

enforcement of this act, or in the prescribing of rules and

regulations hereunder, may require or permit any person to file

a statement in writing, under oath or otherwise, as they

determine, as to all the facts and circumstances concerning the

matter to be investigated and may publish information concerning

any violation of this act, rule, regulation or order hereunder.

(b) For the purpose of any investigation or proceeding

under this act any member of the commission or any officer

designated by the chairman may administer oaths and

affirmations, subpoena witnesses, and compel their attendance,

take evidence and require the production of any books, papers,

correspondence, memoranda, agreements, or other documents or

records, which the commission or its chairman deem relevant or

material to the inquiry.

issued to any person, any Wyoming district court, upon

application by the commission or its chairman, may issue to the

person an order requiring him to appear before the commission or

the officer designated by them, to produce documentary evidence

if so ordered, or to give evidence touching the matter under

investigation or in question. Failure to obey the order of the

court may be punished by the court as contempt of court.

(d) When the commission or the department shall discover

or have reason to believe that any provision of the employment

health and safety laws or any rule is being violated, written

notice shall be served upon the person violating the same to

comply with the notice within a reasonable time, to be fixed in

the notice, which notice shall specify the time to be not more

than thirty (30) days, except that such time may be extended for

good cause shown. The notice shall specify the violation and

shall be posted at or near the site of violation for a period of

three (3) days or until the violation is abated, whichever is

longer:

(i) In fixing the time in such notice and any

extension of time, consideration shall be given to the nature of

the failure or defect constituting the violation, the probable

danger thereof, and the probable length of time and amount of

labor required to correct the violation;

(ii) If the violation continues after the expiration

of the period of time fixed in the notice, including any such

extension of time, enforcement in this type of case will be

sought by the commission or by the department by filing a

complaint and seeking a cease and desist order in the district

court;

(iii) Proposed penalty amounts shall be clearly

stated as part of the notice of violation, but shall be a

separate document which need not be posted with the notice of

violation;

(iv) Nothing in paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this

subsection shall be applicable to W.S. 27-11-106(b).

(e) No employer shall discharge or in any manner

discriminate against any employee because such employee has

filed any notice of complaint or has instituted, or caused to be

instituted, any proceeding under or related to this act or has

testified or is about to testify in any such proceeding, or

because of the exercise by such employee on behalf of himself or

others any right afforded by this act.

(f) All information reported or likewise obtained by the

department in connection with any inspection or investigation

under this act which contains or which might reveal a trade

secret shall be considered as confidential for the purpose of

this act: except that such information may be disclosed to other

representatives of the department concerned with carrying out

this act or when relevant in any proceedings as required under

this act. In any such proceedings, the department, the

commission, the review board or the court shall issue orders as

may be appropriate to protect the confidentiality of trade

secrets.

27-11-110. Injunction; bond; effect on sovereign immunity.

Whenever it appears to the commission that any person has

engaged or is about to engage in any act or practice

constituting a violation of any provision of this act, or any

rule, regulation, or order hereunder, the commission, its

chairman, or any person so authorized by the commission may

bring an action in the name of the state in the district court

of any county in which the violation occurred or where it

appears a violation may occur to enjoin the acts or practices to

enforce compliance with this act, rule or regulation or order

hereunder. Upon a proper showing a permanent or temporary

injunction or restraining order shall be granted. This action

shall not exempt the person so enjoined from penalty, as

provided in W.S. 27-11-107, or from enforcement of any other

section of the act. The court may not require the commission,

its chairman, or any person authorized to bring such action, to

post a bond for more than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00),

and the state of Wyoming does hereby waive sovereign immunity up

to and including the amount of the bond the court requires

posted in each suit but in no event shall such waiver be more

than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) for liability incurred

due to wrongfully causing a court to order a person to cease

operating his business pursuant to this act.

27-11-111. Variances.

(a) Any person affected by this act may request a variance

to any standard, rule or regulation promulgated under this act.

(b) The commission or department shall be empowered to

issue a temporary variance when the employer establishes that:

(i) He is unable to comply with the standard, rule or

regulation because of unavailability of professional or

technical personnel or of materials and equipment needed to come

into compliance;

(ii) He has taken all available steps to safeguard

his employees against the hazards covered by the standard, rule

or regulation;

(iii) He has an effective program for coming into

compliance with the standard, rule or regulation as quickly as

practical; and

(iv) He has advised his employees of his request for

the variance.

after opportunity for an inspection and a hearing, that the

employer requesting the variance has demonstrated by a

sufficient amount of evidence that the conditions, practices,

means, methods, operations or processes used or proposed to be

used by the employer will provide employment and a place of

employment to his employees which are as safe and healthful as

those which would prevail if he complied with the standard, rule

or regulation.

(d) Procedures for the issuing of a variance are set by

rule as provided in W.S. 27-11-105.

27-11-112. Investigation of health and safety charges and

complaints.

The department of workforce services shall investigate charges

and complaints of violation of the laws of this state with

respect to health and safety and any order, rules, or

regulations of the commission made in connection therewith and

report them to the commission.

27-11-113. Physical examination of employees; religious

exemption.

Any employer may require an employee to submit to a physical

examination before employment or at any time during employment,

and shall provide for a physical examination, as deemed

necessary, due to exposure or contact with hazards or

environmental conditions which may be detrimental to the health

of the employee. Nothing in this or any other provision of this

act shall be deemed to authorize or require medical examination,

immunization or treatment for those who object thereto on

religious grounds, except where such is necessary for the

protection of the health or safety of others. The results of

such examinations shall be furnished only to the department, the

employer and, upon request, to the employee and the employee's

physician. The employer shall pay for such examination.

27-11-114. Limitations.

(a) Nothing in this act shall:

(i) Limit or restrict the present jurisdiction or

authority of the public service commission except employee

safety and occupational health;

(ii) Supersede or limit the present authority for

making rules and regulations pertaining to coal mines;

(iii) Affect the rules and regulations now in force

until the commission shall adopt rules and regulations

pertaining to noncoal mines and until the same shall become

effective;

(iv) Affect the appointment of the state mine

inspector and deputy mine inspectors;

(v) Affect the powers and duties of the state mine

inspector and deputy mine inspectors as to their present powers

and duties until July 1, 1970.

CHAPTER 12 - WORKER'S COMPENSATION

27-12-101. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-102. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-103. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-104. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-105. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-106. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-107. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-108. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-109. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-110. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-201. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-202. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-203. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-204. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-205. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-206. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-207. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-208. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-301. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-302. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-303. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-304. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-305. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-306. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-307. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-401. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-402. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-403. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-404. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-405. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-406. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-407. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-408. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-409. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-410. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-411. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-412. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-501. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-502. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-503. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-504. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-505. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-506. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-507. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-508. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-509. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-510. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-511. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-512. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-601. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-602. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-603. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-604. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-605. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-606. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-607. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-608. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-609. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-610. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-611. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-612. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-613. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-614. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-615. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-616. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-617. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-618. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-701. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-702. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-703. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-704. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-705. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-706. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-801. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-802. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-803. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-804. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

27-12-805. Repealed by Laws 1986, Sp. Sess., ch. 3, § 3.

CHAPTER 13 - DISPLACED WORKER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

27-13-101. Definitions.

(a) As used in this act:

(i) "Demand occupation" means an occupation in a

labor market area in which the director determines that work

opportunities are available and that there is not a surplus of

qualified applicants;

(ii) "Director" means the director of the division;

(iii) "Displaced workers" means:

(A) Those workers unemployed due to plant

closures or substantial plant layoffs;

(B) Workers eligible for retraining under the

federal trade adjustment assistance act;

economic or industrial changes which have resulted in loss or

reduction of their employment opportunities, as determined by

the director.

(iv) "Division" means the department of workforce

services;

(v) "Local education or training agency" means:

(A) A board of trustees of a school district;

(B) A public or private educational institution

or agency having administrative control and direction of a

vocational education program;

(D) A board of cooperative educational services.

(vi) "Program" means:

(A) "Occupational transfer programs and

retraining services" including:

(I) Services necessary to assist displaced

workers in identifying those skills they possess which are

transferable to other related demand occupations;

(II) Education and training activities

necessary to prepare displaced workers for occupations to which

their preexisting skills are readily transferable.

(B) "Education and training program" including a

course or program of instruction which:

(I) Relates to an occupation or skill for

which there are, or are expected to be in the immediate future,

reasonable employment opportunities in the labor market area or

areas in the state in which the participating individual intends

to seek work and for which there is not a surplus of workers

with requisite skills in that area, as determined by the

director;

(II) Ordinarily can be completed within one

(1) year and is intended for the primary purpose of enabling

participants to obtain immediate employment in a demand

occupation. The training shall not be primarily intended to meet

the requirements of any degree from a college, community college

or university.

(vii) "This act" means W.S. 27-13-101 through

27-13-103.

27-13-102. Powers and duties; rules and regulations.

(a) The division shall, in conjunction with the department

of education, the business council, the department of workforce

services, the workforce development council, the University of

Wyoming and the community college commission, establish and

maintain a plan to implement the occupational transfer and

retraining programs and services for displaced workers created

under this act. The plan shall designate:

(i) Responsibilities of state agencies in

administering this act;

(ii) Procedures for coordination between the state

and local agencies and existing employment, training, education

and other occupationally related activities and resources in the

state;

(iii) Procedures to encourage involvement on the part

of labor, management, local government and local education and

training agencies in the establishment, operation and ongoing

direction of programs to assist displaced workers.

(b) The division shall:

(i) Identify statutes, rules and regulations which

inhibit the implementation of programs under this act; and

(ii) Recommend modifications to or waivers of

statutes, rules and regulations to permit design of

cost-effective programs under this act;

(iii) Repealed By Laws 2014, Ch. 7, § 3.

with local education or training agencies to implement this act.

(d) The governor, in consultation with the director, may

promulgate reasonable rules and regulations to implement this

act.

27-13-103. Programs; funding.

(a) Programs established under this act shall be funded to

the maximum extent feasible through existing federal, state and

local resources, both public and private. The plan required

under W.S. 27-13-102(a) shall include an estimate of funds

available from sources other than from the state.

(b) The division may, to the extent funded by the

legislature, establish and maintain programs under this act.

CHAPTER 14 - WORKER'S COMPENSATION

ARTICLE 1 - GENERALLY

27-14-101. Short title; statement of intent.

(a) This act may be cited as the "Wyoming Worker's

Compensation Act".

(b) It is the intent of the legislature in creating the

Wyoming worker's compensation division that the laws

administered by it to provide a worker's benefit system be

interpreted to assure the quick and efficient delivery of

indemnity and medical benefits to injured and disabled workers

at a reasonable cost to the employers who are subject to the

Worker's Compensation Act. It is the specific intent of the

legislature that benefit claims cases be decided on their merits

and that the common law rule of "liberal construction" based on

the supposed "remedial" basis of workers' benefits legislation

shall not apply in these cases. The worker's benefit system in

Wyoming is based on a mutual renunciation of common law rights

and defenses by employers and employees alike. Accordingly, the

legislature declares that the Worker's Compensation Act is not

remedial in any sense and is not to be given a broad liberal

construction in favor of any party.

27-14-102. Definitions.

(a) As used in this act:

(i) "Artificial replacement" means the addition of an

artificial part to the human body which replaces a part lost,

damaged or in need of correction, excluding any personal item,

artificial heart, automobile or the remodeling of an automobile

or other physical structure or any item of furniture except as

provided by rule and regulation of the division. If a wheelchair

is approved by the division for use during impairment or

disability, "artificial replacement" may include necessary cost

effective physical structures such as ramps, automobile devices

or remodeling, bars and rails, and other necessary equipment or

devices aiding the body during impairment or disability, subject

to the following criteria:

(A) A physical structure for which artificial

replacement is claimed shall be the primary residence of the

claimant;

(B) Only one (1) automobile at a time shall be

eligible for devices or remodeling under this paragraph.

(ii) "Ascertainable loss" means that point in time in

which it is apparent that permanent physical impairment has

resulted from a compensable injury, the extent of the physical

impairment due to the injury can be determined and the physical

impairment will not substantially improve or deteriorate because

of the injury;

(iii) "Child" means any unmarried minor or physically

or mentally incapacitated individual receiving court ordered

support or substantially all of his financial support from the

employee at the time of injury or death of the employee and

includes an adopted child, stepchild, posthumous child or

acknowledged illegitimate child but does not include a parent or

spouse of the employee;

(iv) "Delinquent payment" means any payment required

of an employer under this act which is not paid within thirty

(30) days after the date due as specified by this act;

(v) "Administrator" means the administrator of the

division;

(vi) "Division" means the worker's compensation

division within the department of workforce services;

(vii) "Employee" means any person engaged in any

extra hazardous employment under any appointment, contract of

hire or apprenticeship, express or implied, oral or written, and

includes student learners engaged in any extra hazardous

employment, legally employed minors, aliens authorized to work

by the United States department of justice, office of

citizenship and immigration services, and aliens whom the

employer reasonably believes, at the date of hire and the date

of injury based upon documentation in the employer's possession,

to be authorized to work by the United States department of

justice, office of citizenship and immigration services.

"Employee" does not include:

(A) Any individual whose employment is

determined to be casual labor;

(B) A sole proprietor or a partner of a business

partnership unless coverage is elected pursuant to W.S.

27-14-108(k);

is elected pursuant to W.S. 27-14-108(k);

(D) Any individual engaged as an independent

contractor;

(E) A spouse or dependent of an employer living

in the employer's household;

(F) A professional athlete, except as provided

in W.S. 27-14-108(q);

(G) An employee of a private household;

(H) A private duty nurse engaged by a private

party;

(J) An employee of the federal government;

(K) Any volunteer unless covered pursuant to

W.S. 27-14-108(e);

(M) Any adult or juvenile prisoner or

probationer unless covered pursuant to W.S. 27-14-108(d)(ix);

(N) An elected public official or an appointed

member of any governmental board or commission, except for a

duly elected or appointed county officer or a member of the

legislature;

(O) The owner and operator of a motor vehicle

which is leased or contracted with driver to a for-hire common

or contract carrier. The owner-operator shall not be an

employee for purposes of this act if he performs the service

pursuant to a contract which provides that the owner-operator

shall not be treated as an employee for purposes of the Federal

Insurance Contributions Act, the Social Security Act, the

Federal Unemployment Tax Act and income tax withholding at

source;

(P) A member of a limited liability company

unless coverage is elected pursuant to W.S. 27-14-108(k);

(Q) A foster parent providing foster care

services for the department of family services or for a

certified child placement agency;

(R) An individual providing child day care or

babysitting services, whose wages are subsidized or paid in

whole or in part by the Wyoming department of family services.

This exclusion from coverage does not exclude from coverage an

individual providing child day care or babysitting services as

an employee of any individual or entity other than the Wyoming

department of family services;

(S) A responsible broker, associate broker or

salesperson licensed under the Real Estate License Act, W.S.

33-28-101 through 33-28-401, who receives compensation for the

services identified in W.S. 33-28-102(b)(xlv). The receipt of

additional compensation for the performance of other real estate

related services shall not negate this exemption.

(viii) "Employer" means any person or entity

employing an employee engaged in any extrahazardous occupation

or electing coverage under W.S. 27-14-108(j) or (k) and at least

one (1) of whose employees is described in W.S. 27-14-301.

"Employer" includes:

(A) Repealed By Laws 1999, ch. 46, § 2.

(B) The governmental entity for which recipients

of public assistance perform work if that work does not

otherwise establish a covered employer and employee

relationship;

perform the specified volunteer activities under W.S.

27-14-108(e);

(D) The governmental entity for which prisoners

and probationers work or perform community service under W.S.

27-14-108(d)(ix) or (xv);

(E) An owner-operator of a mine at which any

mine rescue operation or training occurs;

(F) A temporary service contractor for a

temporary worker;

(G) Any person, contractor, firm, association or

corporation otherwise qualifying under this paragraph as an

employer and who utilizes the services of a worker furnished by

another contractor, joint employer, firm, association, person or

corporation other than a temporary service contractor, joint

employer, independent contractor or owner and operator excluded

as an employee under subparagraph (a)(vii)(O) of this section;

(H) Any employer otherwise qualifying under this

paragraph as an employer and participating in a school-to-work

program approved by the department of workforce services, any

local school district board of trustees, community college

district board of trustees or the department of education, and

the employer previously elected coverage in writing pursuant to

W.S. 27-14-108(m);

(J) Any corporation, limited liability company,

partnership or sole proprietorship electing coverage pursuant to

W.S. 27-14-108(k), whether or not the corporation, limited

liability company, partnership or sole proprietorship has other

employees covered by this act;

(K) A collective group of county governments or

county governmental entities as specified under W.S. 27-14-109.

(ix) "Gross earnings" means remuneration payable for

services from any source including commissions, bonuses and cash

and excluding tips and gratuities. The reasonable cash value of

remuneration other than cash or check shall be prescribed by

rule and regulation of the division. To the extent the

following are not considered wages under 26 U.S.C. §§ 3301

through 3311, "gross earnings" does not include:

(A) Any premium paid by an employer under a

plan, system or into a fund for insurance or annuities to

provide an employee or class of employees retirement, sickness

or accident disability, medical and hospitalization expenses for

sickness or accident disability or death benefits if the

employee cannot receive any part of this payment instead of the

death benefit or any part of the premium if the benefit is

insured and cannot assign or receive cash instead of the benefit

upon withdrawal from or termination of the plan, system, policy

or services with the employer;

(B) A payment by an employer not deducted from

an employee's remuneration for the tax imposed under 26 U.S.C. §

3101;

not obligated to make;

(D) The value of any meals or lodging furnished

by and for the convenience of the employer to the employee if

the meals are furnished on the business premises of the employer

or in the case of lodging, the employee is required to accept

lodging on the business premises of his employer as a condition

of his employment;

(E) Remuneration received by an employee as sick

pay following a six (6) month continuous period of illness;

(F) Any benefit received under a cafeteria plan

specified by 26 U.S.C. § 125, excluding cash;

(G) Wages of a deceased worker paid to a

beneficiary or estate following the calendar year of the

worker's death;

(H) Services received under any dependent care

assistance program to the extent excluded from gross income

under 26 U.S.C. § 129;

(J) Wages paid to a disabled worker during the

year following the year in which he became entitled to

disability insurance benefits under the Social Security Act;

(K) Services or benefits received under any

educational assistance program;

(M) Any benefit or other value received under an

employee achievement award;

(N) The value of any qualified group legal

services plan to the extent payments are excludable from gross

income under 26 U.S.C. § 120;

(O) Costs of group term-life insurance;

(P) Any loan repayment which is repaid at

interest rates below established market rates;

(Q) Any moving expenses;

(R) Employer contributions to any qualified

retirement or pension plan or individual retirement account and

distributions from qualified retirement and pension plans and

annuities under 26 U.S.C. § 403(b);

(S) Benefit payments under any supplemental

unemployment compensation plan; and

(T) Any benefits paid under this act or any

other worker's compensation law of another state.

(x) "Health care provider" means doctor of medicine,

chiropractic or osteopathy, dentist, optometrist, podiatrist,

psychologist or advanced practitioner of nursing, acting within

the scope of his license, licensed to practice in this state or

in good standing in his home state;

(xi) "Injury" means any harmful change in the human

organism other than normal aging and includes damage to or loss

of any artificial replacement and death, arising out of and in

the course of employment while at work in or about the premises

occupied, used or controlled by the employer and incurred while

at work in places where the employer's business requires an

employee's presence and which subjects the employee to

extrahazardous duties incident to the business. "Injury" does

not include:

(A) Any illness or communicable disease unless

the risk of contracting the illness or disease is increased by

the nature of the employment. For the period beginning January

1, 2020 through March 31, 2022 unless otherwise extended by the

legislature, if any employee in an employment sector for which

coverage is provided by this act is infected with the COVID-19

Coronavirus, it shall be presumed that the risk of contracting

the illness or disease was increased by the nature of the

employment;

(B) Injury caused by:

(I) The fact the employee is intoxicated or

under the influence of a controlled substance, or both, except

any prescribed drug taken as directed by an authorized health

care provider. The division shall define "intoxicated" and

"under the influence of a controlled substance" for purposes of

this subparagraph in its rules and regulations; or

(II) The employee's willful intention to

injure or kill himself or another.

of the injured employee;

(D) Any injury sustained during travel to or

from employment unless the employee is reimbursed for travel

expenses or is transported by a vehicle of the employer;

(E) Any injury sustained by the prisoner during

or any harm resulting from any illegal activity engaged in by

prisoners held under custody;

(F) Any injury or condition preexisting at the

time of employment with the employer against whom a claim is

made;

(G) Any injury resulting primarily from the

natural aging process or from the normal activities of

day-to-day living, as established by medical evidence supported

by objective findings;

(H) Any injury sustained while engaged in

recreational or social events under circumstances where an

employee was under no duty to attend and where the injury did

not result from the performance of tasks related to the

employee's normal job duties or as specifically instructed to be

performed by the employer; or

(J) Any mental injury unless it is:

(I) Caused by a compensable physical

injury, it occurs subsequent to or simultaneously with, the

physical injury and it is established by clear and convincing

evidence, which shall include a diagnosis by a licensed

psychiatrist, licensed clinical psychologist or psychiatric

mental health nurse practitioner meeting criteria established in

the most recent edition of the diagnostic and statistical manual

of mental disorders published by the American Psychiatric

Association. In no event shall benefits for a compensable mental

injury under this subdivision be paid for more than thirty-six

(36) months after an injured employee's physical injury has

healed to the point that it is not reasonably expected to

substantially improve; or

(II) Experienced by a first responder and

established by clear and convincing evidence, which shall

include a diagnosis by a licensed psychiatrist, licensed

clinical psychologist or psychiatric mental health nurse

practitioner meeting criteria established in the most recent

edition of the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental

disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association. The

mental injury shall not be considered a compensable injury if

the mental injury is directly attributed to disciplinary action,

work evaluation, job transfer, layoff, demotion, termination or

similar action taken by an employer. In no event shall any

disability benefit for a compensable mental injury under this

subdivision extend more than thirty-six (36) months beyond the

diagnosis of a compensable injury.

(xii) "Medical and hospital care" when provided by a

health care provider means any reasonable and necessary first

aid, medical, surgical or hospital service, medical and surgical

supplies, apparatus, essential and adequate artificial

replacement, body aid during impairment, disability or treatment

of an employee pursuant to this act including the repair or

replacement of any preexisting artificial replacement, hearing

aid, prescription eyeglass lens, eyeglass frame, contact lens or

dentures if the device is damaged or destroyed in an accident

and any other health services or products authorized by rules

and regulations of the division. "Medical and hospital care"

does not include any personal item, automobile or the remodeling

of an automobile or other physical structure, public or private

health club, weight loss center or aid, experimental medical or

surgical procedure, item of furniture or vitamin and food

supplement except as provided under rule and regulation of the

division and paragraph (a)(i) of this section for impairments or

disabilities requiring the use of wheelchairs;

(xiii) "Nonresident employer" means:

(A) An individual who was not domiciled in

Wyoming for at least twelve (12) months prior to commencing

operations in the state; or

(B) A partnership or other association if any

member does not qualify under subparagraph (A) of this

paragraph; or

three-fourths (3/4) of the capital stock is owned by individuals

who do not qualify under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph; and

(D) A person who uses or employs covered

individuals in Wyoming and who has not been a continuous

contributor under this act for twelve (12) months preceding the

use or employment.

(xiv) "Payroll" means "gross earnings" as defined

under paragraph (a)(ix) of this section;

(xv) "Permanent partial disability" means the

economic loss to an injured employee, measured as provided under

W.S. 27-14-405(j), resulting from a permanent physical

impairment;

(xvi) "Permanent total disability" means the loss of

use of the body as a whole or any permanent injury certified

under W.S. 27-14-406, which permanently incapacitates the

employee from performing work at any gainful occupation for

which he is reasonably suited by experience or training;

(xvii) "Spouse" means any individual legally married

to an employee at the time of injury or death;

(xviii) "Temporary total disability" means that

period of time an employee is temporarily and totally

incapacitated from performing employment at any gainful

employment or occupation for which he is reasonably suited by

experience or training. The period of temporary total disability

terminates at the time the employee completely recovers or

qualifies for benefits under W.S. 27-14-405 or 27-14-406;

(xix) "Joint employer" means any person, firm,

corporation or other entity which employs joint employees, is

associated by ownership, commonly managed or controlled and

contributes to the worker's compensation account as required by

this act;

(xx) "Employer making contributions required by this

act" means the employee's employer and any joint employer when

the employer or any joint employer reports the employee's wages

to the division on an account or through a consolidated worker's

compensation account and contributions are made to the account

as required by this act;

(xxi) "Joint employee" means any person:

(A) Who has an express or implied contract for

employment with more than one (1) joint employer at the same

time;

(B) Whose work is controlled by more than one

(1) joint employer; and

for more than one (1) joint employer.

(xxii) "Consolidated Wyoming worker's compensation

account" means an account maintained by the Wyoming workers'

compensation division to which an employer reports the wages of

its employees and joint employees for its own account and the

account of its joint employers, pursuant to which contributions

are made to the account as required by this act;

(xxiii) "Independent contractor" means an individual

who performs services for another individual or entity and:

(A) Is free from control or direction over the

details of the performance of services by contract and by fact;

(B) Repealed By Laws 1998, ch. 117, § 2.

self-employed individual or an independent contractor; and

(D) May substitute another person to perform his

services.

(xxiv) "Casual labor" means service of less than two

(2) consecutive weeks and not within the normal course of

business;

(xxv) "Temporary service contractor" means any

person, firm, association or corporation conducting a business

that employs individuals directly for the purpose of furnishing

services of the employed individuals on a temporary basis to

others;

(xxvi) "Temporary worker" means a worker whose

services are furnished to another employer on a temporary basis

to substitute for a permanent employee on leave or to meet an

emergency or short-term workload;

(xxvii) "This act" means W.S. 27-14-101 through 27-

14-902;

(xxviii) "State employee" means any individual

entering into service of or working under an employment contract

with any agency of the state of Wyoming for which compensation

is paid or which qualifies the individual to participate in the

state retirement account. Effective on and after July 1, 2002,

"state employee" shall include the University of Wyoming;

(xxix) "Professional athlete" means an individual who

receives payment from a team owner for competing on a baseball,

basketball, football, hockey or soccer team having its principal

place of business in Wyoming;

(xxx) For purposes of W.S. 27-14-207 and 27-14-806,

"person" means as defined in W.S. 8-1-102;

(xxxi) "First responder" means a peace officer or an

employee who is employed or volunteers as a firefighter, search

and rescue personnel or ambulance personnel;

(xxxii) "Member of the legislature" means a duly

elected or appointed member of the Wyoming legislature

commencing when the member's term begins if elected or upon

being sworn into office if appointed and until such time as the

member's seat is vacated as provided in W.S. 22-18-101 or the

member's term ends;

(xxxiii) "Student learner" means a person between the

ages of sixteen (16) years and eighteen (18) years who is

currently enrolled in a Wyoming school district, community

college or technical school and who enters into a student

training agreement with an employer pursuant to a student

learner agreement between the employer and the student learner's

school district. For purposes of this act, a student learner

shall be considered an employee under paragraph (vii) of this

subsection;

(xxxiv) "Student learner agreement" means an

agreement between a Wyoming school district, community college

or technical school and an employer that:

(A) Authorizes an employer to provide vocational

training and work experience to student learners;

(B) Provides for the student learner to receive

course credit from the school district, community college or

technical school for completing the vocational training or both

course credit and compensation from the employer;

student learner who is not eighteen (18) years of age in

accordance with federal law and regulation concerning the

performance of certain particularly hazardous work as defined by

federal regulation;

(D) Authorizes the student learner to be covered

under the worker's compensation program established under this

act.

(xxxv) "Student training agreement" means an

agreement entered into between an employer and a student of a

school district, community college or technical school with a

student learner agreement with the employer and that specifies

the terms and conditions included in the student learner

agreement and that is subject to the provisions of W.S. 27-14-

110. For students under the age of eighteen (18), a student

training agreement shall be signed by the student's parent or

guardian unless the student is an emancipated minor under W.S.

14-1-201 through 14-1-206.

27-14-103. Repealed by Laws 1991, ch. 190, § 2.

27-14-104. Exclusive remedy as to employer; nonliability

of co-employees; no relief from liability; rights as to

delinquent or noncontributing employer.

(a) The rights and remedies provided in this act for an

employee including any joint employee, and his dependents for

injuries incurred in extrahazardous employments are in lieu of

all other rights and remedies against any employer and any joint

employer making contributions required by this act, or their

employees acting within the scope of their employment unless the

employees intentionally act to cause physical harm or injury to

the injured employee, but do not supersede any rights and

remedies available to an employee and his dependents against any

other person.

(b) No contract, rule, regulation or device shall operate

to relieve an employer from any liability created by this act

except as otherwise provided by this act.

by any employee and his dependents against an employer for

injuries received while employed by the employer when the

employer at the time of the injuries has not qualified under

this act for the coverage of his eligible employees, or having

qualified, has not paid the required premium on an injured

employee's earnings within thirty (30) days of the date due.

When an employee's employment starts within the same month as

the injury, the status of delinquency or not contributing shall

not apply until after the regular payroll reporting date.

27-14-105. Action against third party; notice;

subrogation; legal representation; payment under reservation of

rights; actions by department.

(a) If an employee covered by this act receives an injury

under circumstances creating a legal liability in some person

other than the employer to pay damages, the employee if engaged

in work for his employer at the time of the injury is not

deprived of any compensation to which he is entitled under this

act. He may also pursue his remedy at law against the third

party or the coemployee to the extent permitted by W.S.

27-14-104(a). Except as provided by subsections (b), (e) and (f)

of this section, if the employee recovers from the third party

or the coemployee in any manner including judgment, compromise,

settlement or release, the state is entitled to be reimbursed

for all payments made, or to be made, to or on behalf of the

employee under this act but not to exceed one-third (1/3) of the

total proceeds of the recovery without regard to the types of

damages alleged in the third-party action. Any recovery by the

state shall be reduced pro rata for attorney fees and costs in

the same proportion as the employee is liable for fees and

costs. All money received by the state under this section shall

be credited to the worker's compensation account and considered

in computing the employer's experience rating.

(b) The director and the attorney general shall be served

by certified mail return receipt requested with a copy of the

complaint filed in any suit initiated pursuant to subsection (a)

of this section. Service of the complaint on the director and

attorney general is a jurisdictional requirement in order to

maintain the suit. The director and the attorney general shall

be notified in writing by certified mail return receipt

requested of any judgment, compromise, settlement or release

entered into by an employee. Before offering settlement to an

employee, a third party or its insurer shall notify the state of

the proposed settlement and give the state fifteen (15) days

after receipt of such notice in which to object. If notice of

proposed settlement is not provided, the state is entitled to

initiate an independent action against the third party or its

insurer for all payments made to and any amount reserved for or

on behalf of the employee under this act. If there is a

settlement, compromise or release entered into by the parties in

claims against a person other than the employer, the attorney

general representing the director shall be made a party in all

such negotiations for settlement, compromise or release. The

attorney general and the director, for purposes of facilitating

compromise and settlement, may in a proper case authorize

acceptance by the state of less than the state's claim for

reimbursement. The proceeds of any judgment, settlement,

compromise or release are encumbered by a continuing lien in

favor of the state to the extent of the total amount of the

state's claim for reimbursement under this section and for all

current and future benefits under this act. The lien shall

remain in effect until the state is paid the amount authorized

under this section. In addition the person paying the settlement

remains liable to the state for the state's claim unless the

state through the attorney general signs the release prior to

payment of an agreed settlement.

rights and remedies in this section inure to and the obligations

are binding upon the personal representative of the deceased

employee for the benefit of his dependents.

(d) Any attorney who fails to notify the director and

attorney general of any settlement or fails to ensure the state

receives its share of the proceeds of any settlement or judgment

under subsection (a) of this section shall be reported to the

grievance committee of the Wyoming state bar.

(e) At any time before the statute of limitation bars an

employee or his estate from commencing a claim for personal

injury or wrongful death, and upon the unsolicited written

request of the employee or estate, the department may commence

such an action on behalf of the employee or his estate. From

any amounts recovered under this subsection, the state is

entitled to an amount equal to all sums awarded as benefits to

the employee or his estate and all anticipated future medical

costs. Any excess recovery shall be paid to the injured

employee or his estate.

(f) The department or employer shall have an additional

six (6) month limitation period beyond the date on which the

employee or his estate is barred under the statute of

limitations from commencing a claim for personal injury or

wrongful death, in which to commence such an action on behalf of

the employee or his estate. From any amounts recovered under

this subsection, the state is entitled to an amount equal to all

sums awarded as benefits to the employee or his estate, all

anticipated future medical costs and all costs of litigation.

Any excess recovery shall be paid to the injured employee or his

estate.

(g) For purposes of subsections (e) and (f) of this

section, nothing in this section prohibits any third party from

reimbursing the worker's compensation account for medical or

temporary total disability costs without prejudice prior to any

judgment, settlement or release.

27-14-106. Minor employee to be free of any legal

disability.

A minor shall be deemed free of any legal disability for the

purposes of this act and no other person has any cause of action

or right to compensation for his injury except as expressly

provided in this act.

27-14-107. Repealed by Laws 1995, ch. 121, § 3.

27-14-108. Extrahazardous industries, employments,

occupations; enumeration; definitions; optional coverage.

(a) This act applies to the following, which shall be

deemed extrahazardous employment:

(i) Repealed by Laws 2002, Ch. 30, § 2.

(ii) Regardless of individual occupation, all workers

employed in the following sectors, subsectors, industry groups

and industries, as each is defined in the most recent edition of

the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)

manual:

(A) Agriculture, sector 11:

(1) Industry group 1133, logging.

(B) Mining, sector 21;

(D) Construction, sector 23;

(E) Manufacturing, sector 31-33;

(F) Wholesale trade, sector 42:

(I) Subsector 424, wholesale trade,

nondurable goods:

(1) Industry group 4245, farm product

raw materials, wholesale;

(2) Industry group 4246, chemical and

allied products, wholesale;

(3) Industry group 4247, petroleum and

petroleum products, wholesale;

(4) Industry group 4248, beer, wine,

and distilled alcoholic beverages, wholesale;

(5) Industry group 4249, miscellaneous

nondurable goods, wholesale.

(G) Retail trade, sector 44-45:

(I) Subsector 441, motor vehicle and parts

dealer;

(II) Subsector 444, building materials and

garden equipment and supplies:

(1) Industry group 4441, building

materials and supplies dealers:

a. NAICS industry 44418, other

building materials.

(III) Subsector 445, food and beverage

stores:

(1) Industry group 4452, specialty

food stores:

a. NAICS industry 44524, meat

retailers;

b. NAICS industry 44525, fish and

seafood retailers;

c. NAICS industry 44529, other

specialty stores.

(IV) Subsector 457, gasoline stations and

fuel dealers;

(V) Repealed by Laws 2023, ch. 18, § 2.

(H) Transportation and warehousing, sector 48-

49:

(I) Subsector 481, air transportation;

(II) Subsector 484, truck transportation;

(III) Subsector 485, urban transit systems;

(IV) Subsector 486, pipeline

transportation;

(V) Subsector 491, postal service;

(VI) Subsector 492, couriers and

messengers;

(VII) Subsector 493, warehousing and

storage.

(J) Information, sector 51:

(I) Subsector 513, publishing industries:

(1) Industry group 5131, newspaper,

periodical, book and directory publishers.

(K) Real estate and rental and leasing, sector

53:

(I) Subsector 531, real estate:

(1) Industry group 5311, lessors of

real estate.

(II) Subsector 532, rental and leasing

services:

(1) Industry group 5321, automotive

equipment rental and leasing.

(M) Administrative and support and waste

management and remediation services, sector 56:

(I) Subsector 561, administrative and

support services:

(1) Industry group 5616,

investigation, guard and armored car services;

(2) Industry group 5617, services to

buildings and dwellings.

(II) Subsector 562, waste management and

remediation services.

(N) Educational services, sector 61:

(I) Subsector 611, educational services:

(1) Industry group 6116, other schools

and instruction:

a. NAICS industry 61161, fine

arts schools;

b. NAICS industry 61162, sports

and recreation instruction;

c. NAICS industry 61169, all

other schools and instruction:

i. United States NAICS

industry 611692, automobile driving schools.

(O) Health care and social services, sector 62:

(I) Subsector 621, ambulatory health care

services;

(II) Subsector 622, hospitals;

(III) Subsector 623, nursing and

residential care facilities;

(IV) Subsector 624, social assistance:

(1) Industry group 6241, individual

and family services;

(2) Industry group 6242, community

food and housing, and emergency and other relief services;

(3) Industry group 6243, vocational

rehabilitation services.

(P) Except as provided under subsection (o) of

this section, arts, entertainment and recreation, sector 71;

(Q) Accommodation and food services, sector 72;

(R) Other services (except public

administration), sector 81:

(I) Subsector 811, repair and maintenance;

(II) Subsector 812, personal and laundry

services:

(1) Industry group 8123, dry-cleaning

and laundry services;

(2) Industry group 8129, other

personal services:

a. NAICS industry 81291, pet care

(except veterinary services).

(S) Public administration, sector 92:

(I) Subsector 922, justice, public order

and safety activities:

(1) Industry group 9221, justice,

public order and safety activities:

a. NAICS industry 92212, police

protection;

b. NAICS industry 92214,

correctional institutions;

c. NAICS industry 92215, parole

offices and probation offices;

d. NAICS industry 92216, fire

protection, including firefighters while performing under the

direction of a duly authorized officer in charge and engaged in

competition at employer sanctioned training events,

construction, maintenance or improvement of equipment or

facilities utilized in fire protection activities, fundraising,

civic affairs or other similar authorized activities.

(II) Subsector 923, administration of human

resource programs:

(1) Industry group 9231,

administration of human resource programs:

a. NAICS industry 92312,

administration of public health programs;

b. NAICS industry 92313,

administration of human resource programs (except education,

public health and veterans' affairs programs);

c. NAICS industry 92314,

administration of veterans' affairs.

(III) Subsector 924, administration of

environmental quality programs.

(b) Repealed by Laws 1992, ch. 33, § 2.

(d) This act applies to governmental entities engaged in

an industrial classification listed under subsection (a) of this

section and to employees of governmental entities engaged in or

employed as the following:

(i) Janitors, groundskeepers and maintenance workers;

(ii) Federal programs which require coverage for

their participants;

(iii) State employees and effective until June 30,

2002, employees of the University of Wyoming while traveling in

the performance of their duties;

(iv) Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 132, § 2.

(v) Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 132, § 2.

(vi) Casual employees engaged in fighting forest or

grass fires when employed by a governmental entity;

(vii) Applicants or recipients of general welfare or

relief who are employed by a governmental entity;

(viii) Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 132, § 2.

(ix) All adult and juvenile prisoners and

probationers when performing work pursuant to law or court

order;

(x) Diagnostic and analytical laboratory employees;

(xi) Hazardous substance workers;

(xii) Power equipment operators;

(xiii) Motor delivery drivers;

(xiv) Workshop employees;

(xv) Persons performing community service pursuant to

a criminal sentencing order or a diversion agreement entered

into with a prosecuting authority, if the governing body of the

jurisdiction for whom the service is performed has made a prior

written election of coverage for the community service work;

(xvi) Public school educational assistants who

provide services to special education students while working

directly with special education students and certified special

education teachers and related services providers as defined by

34 C.F.R. 300.18 and 300.156 and W.S. 21-2-802 and 21-7-303 who

provide services to eligible students while working directly

with eligible students;

(xvii) County coroners and deputy county coroners;

(xviii) Fire protection, including firefighters while

performing under the direction of a duly authorized officer in

charge and engaged in competition at employer sanctioned

training events, construction, maintenance or improvement of

equipment or facilities utilized in the fire protection

activities, fundraising, civic affairs or similar authorized

activities;

(xix) A member of the legislature while engaged in an

activity or traveling to or from an activity in the member's

official capacity as a member of the legislature.

(e) Specifically enumerated volunteers to whom this act

applies are:

(i) Firefighters while:

(A) Firefighting;

(B) Performing rescue work;

response;

(D) Responding to any other situation where the

health or safety of the public is at risk;

(E) Training for the activities enumerated in

subparagraphs (A) through (D) and (F) of this paragraph,

including while engaged in competition at employer sanctioned

training events;

(F) Constructing, maintaining or improving

equipment or facilities utilized in the activities enumerated in

subparagraphs (A) through (E) of this paragraph; or

(G) Performing under the direction of a duly

authorized officer in charge and engaged in fundraising, civic

affairs or other similar authorized activities.

(ii) Search and rescue personnel;

(iii) Law enforcement personnel;

(iv) Search pilots;

(v) Mine rescue workers;

(vi) Ambulance personnel;

(vii) Hazardous substance workers;

(viii) Emergency management agency personnel;

(ix) Elected county or local officials volunteering

to perform governmental services on behalf of the jurisdiction

to which they are elected, where the services are outside of the

elected officials' regular duties, if the governing body of the

jurisdiction has made a prior written election of coverage for

the volunteer work;

(x) Volunteers working on projects approved by the

Wyoming game and fish commission or the Wyoming department of

state parks and cultural resources;

(xi) Law enforcement aides while:

(A) Conducting patrols, reporting suspicious

activities or controlling traffic and crowds on an authorized

work schedule agreed to by and within the jurisdiction of the

law enforcement agency to which the volunteer service is

provided;

(B) Training under the auspices of a law

enforcement agency.

(f) As used in this section:

(i) Repealed by Laws 1992, ch. 33, § 2.

(ii) "Diagnostic and analytical laboratory employees"

means all laboratory personnel handling or analyzing or

otherwise exposed to infections, chemical or biological

hazardous materials or employed in a laboratory in which

infections, chemical or biological hazardous materials are

handled or stored;

(iii) Repealed By Laws 1999, ch. 46, § 2.

(iv) "Workshop" means any location where power driven

machinery is used and manual labor is exercised by way of trade

or gain or otherwise incidental to the process of making,

altering, repairing, printing or ornamenting, finishing or

adapting for sale or otherwise any article or part of article,

over which location the employer of the person working at the

location has the right of access or control. Workshop includes

any location where power machinery is being used and manual

labor is exercised for recycling, crushing, incinerating,

disposal or otherwise altering any article including but not

limited to, paper products, metal, glass, rubber and plastic,

over which location the employer of the person working at the

location has the right of access or control. A workshop does not

include any location on which only office fans, typewriters,

adding machines, calculators, computers, dictaphones or other

similar equipment driven by electric motors are operated which

are sufficiently protected not to constitute a hazard to

employees;

(v) Repealed by Laws 1992, ch. 33, § 2.

(vi) "Power equipment operator" means any worker who

operates power machinery;

(vii) "Mine rescue team" means mine rescue workers

and the employers of the workers performing actual rescue

operations or training rescue operations at any underground mine

pursuant to the consent of the owner of the mine and the

employers of the members of the team. Mine rescue team members

while engaged in mine rescue operations and training, shall be

considered employees of the employer at whose mine they engage

in mine rescue work;

(viii) "Hazardous substance" means those substances

designated or enumerated within the notification of hazardous

waste activity publication of the federal environmental

protection agency;

(ix) "Hazardous substance worker" means a trained

employee or volunteer involved with performing emergency

response and post emergency response operations for the release

or substantial threat of release of hazardous substances;

(x) "Eligible student" means a student with

behavioral, emotional, cognitive, learning, physical or health

disabilities who requires educational services to be provided

outside of the regular classroom because the use of

supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved

satisfactorily in the regular classroom.

(g) This act does not apply to the following:

(i) Repealed by Laws 1995, ch. 121, § 3.

(ii) Repealed By Laws 1995, ch. 121, § 3.

(iii) Repealed By Laws 1995, ch. 121, § 3.

(iv) Repealed By Laws 2006, Chapter 2, § 2.

(v) Repealed by Laws 1995, ch. 121, § 3.

(vi) Repealed By Laws 1995, ch. 121, § 3.

(vii) Repealed By Laws 1995, ch. 121, § 3.

(viii) Repealed By Laws 1995, ch. 121, § 3.

(ix) Repealed By Laws 1995, ch. 121, § 3.

(x) Those individuals excluded as an employee under

W.S. 27-14-102(a)(vii)(A) through (O).

(h) Repealed by Laws 2002, Ch. 30, § 2.

(j) Any employee not enumerated under subsections (a)

through (g) of this section or not employed in an extrahazardous

employment enumerated under this section may be covered and

subject to the provisions of this act and his employment shall

be treated as if extrahazardous for purposes of this act, if his

employer elects to obtain coverage under this act and makes

payments as required by this act. An employer electing coverage

pursuant to this subsection may only elect to cover all his

employees. An employer may withdraw coverage elected under this

subsection at any time if the elected coverage has been in

effect for at least two (2) years and the employer is current on

all contributions and payments required under this act.

(k) Any corporation, limited liability company,

partnership or sole proprietorship may elect to obtain coverage

under this act for any or all of its corporate officers, limited

liability company members, partners in a partnership or sole

proprietor by notifying the division in writing of its election

upon initial registration with the division, or thirty (30) days

prior to the beginning of a calendar quarter. Any employer

electing coverage pursuant to this subsection shall, if it has

other employees, simultaneously elect coverage for its

employees, as provided in subsection (j) of this section, if

those employees are not already covered under this act.

Notwithstanding subsection (j) of this section, an employer

shall not withdraw coverage at any time during the subsequent

eight (8) calendar quarters. Application for termination of

coverage under this subsection shall be filed in writing with

the division. Termination of coverage shall be effective the

first day of the month following the division's receipt of the

notice of termination which shall specify whether the

termination is for the officers, members and partners or for the

officers, members, partners and all electively covered

employees.

(m) Any employer may elect to obtain coverage under this

act for school-to-work participants engaging in program

activities at his place of business in accordance with rules and

regulations of the division.

(n) Repealed by Laws 2002, Ch. 10, § 2.

(o) Notwithstanding subparagraph (a)(ii)(P) of this

section and upon request of an employer, the department may

exclude employment from coverage under this act if it determines

the primary source of revenue of the employer's business is

derived from operations classified under subparagraph (a)(ii)(P)

of this section and any of the following industries:

(i) Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting,

sector 11:

(A) Subsector 111, crop production;

(B) Subsector 112, animal production;

(I) Industry group 1131, timber tract

operations;

(II) Industry group 1132, forest nurseries

and gathering of forest products.

(D) Subsector 115, support activities for

agriculture and forestry.

(p) Any university of the state of Wyoming or any

community college, school district or private or parochial

school or college may elect to obtain coverage under this act

for any person who may at any time be receiving training under

any work or job training program for the purpose of training or

learning trades or occupations. The bona fide student so placed

shall be deemed an employee of the respective university,

community college, school district or private or parochial

school or college sponsoring the training or rehabilitation

program.

(q) A team owner shall obtain coverage under this act for

professional athletes as defined in W.S. 27-14-102(a)(xxix). For

the purpose of determining employer contributions under this

act, all professional athletes for whom coverage is obtained are

deemed to be paid, for each month during which competition or

team practice is held, the average monthly wage most recently

computed pursuant to W.S. 27-14-802(b). Notwithstanding any

other provision of law, the division shall classify professional

athletes covered under this subsection under NAICS industry code

number 711211, sports teams and clubs, and shall keep that

classification separate for rate making purposes.

27-14-109. Collective system for county governments or

county governmental entities.

The division, upon application, may allow county governments or

county governmental entities to establish a collective system to

report payroll, pay premiums, process injury reports, manage

claims and provide other services required under this chapter

for the employees of the county governments or county

governmental entities. The division shall adopt rules and

regulations to implement this section.

27-14-110. Student learner agreements.

(a) A Wyoming school district, community college or

technical school and an employer may enter into a student

learner agreement for the purposes of providing student learners

vocational work and training opportunities and for student

learners to earn course credit from the school district,

community college or technical school, compensation from the

employer, or both. A copy of any student learner agreement

entered into under this section shall be submitted by the

employer to the division.

(b) A student learner may enter into a student training

agreement with an employer to complete work or vocational

training at the employer's business for course credit from the

school district, community college or technical school,

compensation from the employer, or both. A copy of any student

training agreement entered into under this section shall be

submitted by the employer to the division.

(i) A student learner agreement is terminated or

extended with a school district, community college or technical

school, and if terminated, the date of termination;

(ii) A student training agreement is extended or

terminated, and if terminated, the date of termination.

(d) An employer may enter into student learner agreements

with more than one (1) Wyoming school district, community

college or technical school, provided that the employer shall

enter into separate student learner agreements with each school

district, community college or technical school.

(e) The division shall create and maintain standard

student learner agreements and student training agreements for

use by employers, student learners, school districts, community

colleges and technical schools. The standard agreements shall be

maintained on the department's website and provided to

employers, students, school districts, community colleges and

technical schools.

(f) A student learner who enters into a student training

agreement with an employer who has a valid and current student

learner agreement with the student learner's school district,

community college or technical school shall be covered under the

worker's compensation program established in this act. Each

employer shall pay the premiums charged for each student learner

as required under this act. The division shall account for

student learners in calculating benefits charged to an

employer's experience rating account under this act.

(g) The division shall establish rules and regulations

necessary for the implementation of this section.

ARTICLE 2 - PREMIUMS AND RATES

27-14-201. Rates and classifications; rate surcharge.

(a) The worker's compensation program shall be neither

more nor less than self-supporting. Employments affected by

this act shall be divided by the division into classes, whose

rates may be readjusted annually as the division actuarially

determines. Any employer may contest his classification as

determined by the division following the contested case

provisions of the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act except

that the division shall carry the burden of proving that the

classification is correct. Information shall be kept of the

amounts collected and expended in each class for actuarially

determining rates, but for payment of compensation, the worker's

compensation account shall be one and indivisible.

(b) If it is determined at any time and in any manner that

a determination by the division of an industrial or employment

classification is incorrect, premiums under any corrected

classification shall be charged only from the date of change in

classification. This subsection shall not apply to any

employer's categorization of an employee's gross earnings to an

industrial or employment classification.

Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act and written approval by the

governor, the division shall determine the hazards of the

different classes of employments and fix the premiums therefor

at the lowest rate consistent with maintenance of an actuarially

sound worker's compensation account and the creation of

actuarially sound surplus and reserves, and for such purpose

shall adopt a system of rating in such a manner as to take

account of the peculiar hazard of each risk, mathematically and

equally based on actual costs to the program in terms of number

and extent of injuries and deaths, and shall use consultants or

rating organizations as it determines necessary. The department

shall submit an annual report with respect to proposed annual

rate adjustments under this section to the joint labor, health

and social services interim committee no later than October 1 of

the year preceding the implementation of the rate adjustment.

The total annual rate adjustment for any employment

classification under this section is subject to the following

limitations:

(i) Repealed by Laws 1994, ch. 86, § 3.

(ii) Repealed by Laws 1994, ch. 86, § 3.

(iii) Repealed By Laws 1998, ch. 117, § 2.

(iv) Repealed By Laws 1998, ch. 117, § 2.

(v) For the calendar year commencing January 1, 1999

and each calendar year thereafter, any increase in the base rate

for each employment classification shall not exceed fifty

percent (50%) of the base rate imposed for that employment

classification during the immediately preceding year;

(vi) To compensate for the difference between

revenues generated under base rate adjustment limitations

imposed under paragraph (c)(v) of this section and revenues

which would have been generated if base rates had been adjusted

without limitations, the division may limit base rate decreases

for any employment classification by not more than fifty percent

(50%) of the actuarially determined decrease;

(vii) Repealed By Laws 1998, ch. 117, § 2.

(viii) In determining rates under this section for

employers specified under W.S. 27-14-108(a)(ii)(G)(I), the

division shall base the rates on one (1) rate classification for

sales personnel and one (1) rate classification for all other

personnel other than clerical;

(ix) Notwithstanding paragraph (v) of this

subsection, for the calendar year beginning January 1, 2003,

rates shall be adjusted to reflect the reclassification of

industry codes in accordance with the North American Industry

Classification System (NAICS) manual, but in no case shall the

base premium rate for any classification for the calendar year

beginning January 1, 2003 exceed one hundred fifty percent

(150%) of the lowest base rate assigned to any employer in that

classification under the standard industrial classification

manual for the preceding year.

(d) In addition, the plan of rating shall use an

experience rating system based on three (3) years claim

experience, or as much thereof as is available, for employers

enrolled under it. This system shall reward employers with a

better than average claim experience, penalize employers with a

worse than average claim experience and may provide for premium

volume discount so long as the account remains actuarially

sound. Discounts from or penalties added to base employment

classification rates because of claim experience shall not

exceed sixty-five percent (65%) for rates through calendar year

2016 and shall not exceed eighty-five percent (85%) for rates

beginning with calendar year 2017. An employer who is current on

premium payments required by this act may apply to the division

for a determination of experience modification rating

chargeability for an injury to the employer's employee. The

division's determination of chargeability shall be reviewable as

provided in W.S. 27-14-601(k)(iii) and (iv). If the division,

by a preponderance of the evidence, determines that an

employee's injury was primarily caused by a third party, the

injury shall not be charged to the employer's account. The

employer shall bear the burden of proof in any action brought by

the employer for a chargeability determination. If an

employer's account is determined to be unchargeable under this

subsection, the employer's account shall not be further credited

upon recovery from a third party by the division. The division

shall by rule and regulation establish necessary procedures for

a determination of chargeability. Any determination by the

division regarding causation of an injury pursuant to this

subsection shall be used only for ratemaking purposes and shall

not be admissible in any civil litigation regarding the injury.

(e) The division in fixing rates shall provide for the

costs of benefits and the expenses of administering the worker's

compensation account allowed by law, subject to the following:

(i) The account shall be one (1) account but shall

include provision for all expenses allowed by this act, loss

adjustment expenses and unpaid losses, including:

(A) Case reserves;

(B) Future development on known claims;

(D) Claims incurred but not reported;

(E) Claims incurred and reported but not yet

recorded;

(F) An actuarially reasonable provision for

adverse deviation to reflect the uncertainty inherent in

estimates of unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses.

(ii) The account shall be fully reserved on or before

December 31, 2013;

(iii) The division shall annually obtain a report

from a qualified actuary rendering an opinion regarding the

reasonableness of the booked loss and loss adjustment expense

reserve and carried contingency reserve;

(iv) The division shall provide the opinion required

by paragraph (iii) of this subsection to the joint labor, health

and social services interim committee, or its successor, by

November 1 of each year;

(v) For purposes of calculating reserves, future

liabilities shall be discounted to present value using a

discount factor selected by the division. The discount factor

selected by the division and the reason for its selection shall

be included in the annual report to the joint labor, health and

social services interim committee or its successor;

(vi) The collection through premiums of any

deficiency in reserves and surpluses that exceeds five percent

(5%) of the fund balance shall be averaged over a ten (10) year

period;

(vii) For purposes of this section:

(A) "Fully reserved" means that the workers'

compensation account established by W.S. 27-14-701 has, in the

opinion of a qualified actuary, funds sufficient on a discounted

basis to provide for all unpaid loss and loss adjustment

expenses as well as an actuarially reasonable provision for

adverse deviation;

(B) "Qualified actuary" means a person who is a

fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society or who has been

approved as qualified for signing casualty loss reserve opinions

by the Casualty Practice Council of the American Academy of

Actuaries.

(viii) Investment earnings from the investment of the

amount held as the actuarially reasonable provision for adverse

deviation shall be considered revenue to the worker's

compensation account as provided in this paragraph. The annual

amount of investment earnings available for consideration as

revenue under this paragraph shall be determined by the

department in an amount equal to not less than zero percent (0%)

and not more than five percent (5%) of the previous five (5)

year average market value of the amount held as the actuarially

reasonable provision for adverse deviation, calculated from the

first day of the fiscal year.

(f) The division is given full power and authority to

annually determine premium rates and classifications according

to the standards set forth under subsections (b), (c) and (d) of

this section provided that no change in the classification or

rates prescribed shall be effective until thirty (30) days after

the date of the order making the change.

(g) Policies or statements of coverage may be issued to

each covered employer. The division shall collect all costs in

certifying coverage under this act from the person requesting

the certification except for one (1) policy or statement of

coverage which may be issued to the employer at no charge.

(h) Approximate rates applicable to each employer pursuant

to this section shall be annually provided to the employer by

October 1.

(j) All data and formulas used by the division, including

the employment classification base rate and claim experience

rating, to determine rates for an employer shall be made

available to the employer upon request of the employer.

(k) Repealed by Laws 1989, ch. 149, § 3, 1994, ch. 86, §

(m) Repealed by Laws 1987, ch. 94, § 2.

(n) Repealed By Laws 1998, ch. 117, § 2.

(o) The division shall in accordance with its rules and

regulations, grant a discount to rates established under this

section in an amount not to exceed ten percent (10%) of the base

rate for the employment classification of any employer if the

employer complies with a safety program approved by the division

and a discount in an amount not to exceed ten percent (10%) of

the base rate for the employment classification if the employer

complies with a drug and alcohol testing program approved by the

division and a discount in an amount not to exceed ten percent

(10%) of the base rate for the employment classification if the

employer complies with a health and safety consultation program

developed by the department of workforce services in

consultation with the occupational health and safety commission.

In no instance shall the sum total of discounts under this

subsection exceed thirty percent (30%) of the base rate for the

employment classification for the employer. The discount for

the health and safety consultation program shall only remain in

effect for three (3) years after the employer is certified to be

in compliance with the health and safety consultation program

recommendations. In determining safety program approval, drug

and alcohol program approval, health and safety consultation

program approval and the total discount granted under this

subsection, the division shall consider:

(i) The probability the program will reduce the

number of accidents and the probable savings which may be

realized from the reduction;

(ii) Relevant experience, if any, depicting actual

reduction in accidents and actual savings which is compared to

an industry standard;

(iii) The adequacy and accuracy of determining

participation in the program and the eligibility for a discount

by individual employers;

(iv) The administrative costs incurred by the

division in implementing a rate discount for an applicable

employment classification;

(v) Whether the employer adopts and enforces policies

establishing a drug-free workplace which may include an employee

assistance program to assist employees with alcohol or other

drug problems. The division shall follow rules adopted by the

department of workforce services in consultation with the

department of health for the effective implementation of this

paragraph. Rules adopted pursuant to this paragraph shall not

impose on any employer the requirement to pay the costs of

treatment or any other intervention. Employers enrolled in a

safety discount program under this paragraph shall have one (1)

year from the effective date of those rules within which to come

into compliance.

(p) Repealed By Laws 1998, ch. 117, § 2.

(q) The division may, in accordance with its rules and

regulations, grant a premium credit to rates established under

this section if it is determined by a qualified actuary retained

by the division that the fund will remain fully reserved after

the premium credit is granted and implemented. If the division

determines to grant a premium credit, the percentage of credit

allowed for the rate year shall be the same for all employers

qualified pursuant to paragraph (iii) of this subsection. The

following provisions shall also apply to the premium credit

program:

(i) The premium credit can only be used to offset

premiums, and in no case can the premium be redeemed by an

employer for cash;

(ii) Any premium credits shall expire as provided by

law. If no law provides for the expiration of credits, credits

shall expire as determined by the division;

(iii) The premium credit, if granted, shall only be

given to those employers who paid premiums during the preceding

year and whose accounts are current on all amounts owed under

the act, including premiums, case cost liability and penalties.

(r) In an industrial classification with less than twelve

(12) employers in which a single employer contributes greater

than fifty percent (50%) of the total premium in that

classification, the director of the department of workforce

services, with the concurrence of the governor, may adjust the

base rate for the employer established pursuant to this section,

not to exceed twenty-five percent (25%) subject to the

following:

(i) An affected employer submits a written

application to the division in the format prescribed by the

division after October 1 and before December 31 of the year

preceding the year in which the adjustment will be made;

(ii) The affected employer's experience modification

rating is lower than the average for the employer's industrial

classification;

(iii) The director determines that the employer has

been adversely affected due to the distribution of premiums

within the industrial classification; and

(iv) The employer is contributing less than twenty-

five percent (25%) of the total premium of the industrial

classification.

(s) Any loss of premium due to an adjustment pursuant to

subsection (r) of this section shall be distributed among all

rate classes in the annual base rate adjustment in the year

subsequent to the year in which the adjustment was made.

(t) The division may, in accordance with its rules and

regulations, create and implement a premium deductible program.

The following provisions shall apply to the premium deductible

program:

(i) Participating employers shall sign a contract

with the division, clearly identifying the terms of the program;

(ii) Participating employers shall be assigned a

reduced industry base rate for premium calculation purposes. The

industry base rate reduction shall be determined in a manner

that reflects the dollar amount of the deductible and is

consistent with an actuarially sound workers’ compensation

account;

(iii) Participating employers shall be financially

stable and in good standing with the division;

(iv) Participating employers shall report all work

injuries within the timeframes specified in W.S. 27-14-506;

(v) Participating employers failing to meet the

requirements of the premium deductible program shall have their

premium base rate reinstated at the full industry base rate,

retroactive to the reporting period in which the employer first

became noncompliant. Employers whose premium base rate is

reinstated at the full industry base rate under this paragraph

shall not be re-eligible for the premium deductible program for

a minimum of eight (8) calendar quarters;

(vi) Participation in the premium deductible program

cannot be transferred to a successor employer nor can it be

incorporated as part of a merger among employing units.

(u) No compensable injury related to COVID-19 that occurs

during the period beginning January 1, 2020 and ending March 31,

2022 for which coverage is provided under this act and for which

a claim was filed on or before March 31, 2023 shall be

chargeable to an employer's experience rating under this

section.

27-14-202. Premium payments; payroll reports; department

authority to establish joint reporting; remedies for incorrect

earnings categorizations by employers.

(a) Except as provided under subsection (e) of this

section, each employer shall forward to the division on forms

provided by the division, a true copy of the payroll of his

employees engaged in extrahazardous employment during the

current calendar month or quarterly reporting period, certified

and affirmed by himself or a person having knowledge of the

payrolls under penalty of perjury. Payroll reports and monthly

payments under this act shall be submitted on or before the last

day of the month following the month in which the earnings are

paid, unless otherwise provided by rule and regulation of the

division.

(b) The director may permit an employer to file payroll

reports for quarterly payroll periods ending March 31, June 30,

September 30 and December 31 if the diligence of prior reporting

payment of premium and other factors warrant. The privilege of

quarterly reporting may be revoked by the division if an

employer is delinquent in reporting or making payments in

accordance with this act. Upon notice of revocation, the

employer shall file payroll reports on a monthly basis.

Quarterly payroll reports shall be filed and payments made on or

before the last day of the month following the quarterly

periods.

ceases to employ individuals in covered employment.

(d) Any employer or joint employer contributing as

required by this act and employing employees or joint employees

covered under this act that would qualify as separate

classifications, may elect to report gross earnings of the

covered entities under one (1) consolidated Wyoming worker's

compensation account. A payroll report submitted pursuant to

this subsection shall classify the employer's payroll under

separate industrial classifications specified under W.S.

27-14-108. Any employer electing to report under a consolidated

account shall provide written notice to the division of its

intent. The election shall remain in effect for one (1) year or

until withdrawn in writing, whichever occurs later. Any employer

or joint employer contributing as required by this act and

employing employees or joint employees covered by this act who

elects to report the payrolls under one (1) consolidated account

pursuant to this subsection shall be treated as a single

employer for all purposes of this act with the exception of

determining the experience rating pursuant to W.S. 27-14-201(d)

and the premium tax credit pursuant to W.S. 27-14-201(q).

(e) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of this

section, an employer may elect to submit payroll reports and

make premium payments in advance pursuant to rule and regulation

of the division. In its rules and regulations established under

this subsection, the division shall provide for adjustment of

premium payments for any fiscal year in accordance with

overpayments or underpayments made during the preceding fiscal

year.

(f) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of this

section and commencing January 1, 1994, governmental entity

employers shall make payments for rates established by the

division under W.S. 27-14-201 for any calendar year commencing

on July 1 of that calendar year and ending June 30 of the

immediately succeeding calendar year. For purposes of this

subsection "governmental entity employer" includes state,

county, municipal, school district, community college,

university and special district employers.

(g) The department of workforce services shall by rule and

regulation establish a joint payroll reporting system for the

purposes of the Wyoming Worker's Compensation Act and Wyoming

Employment Security Law. Nothing in this subsection shall

require the department to provide a joint payroll reporting

system to all qualifying employers.

(h) An employer's categorization in its payroll reports of

an employee's gross earnings to the appropriate industrial or

employment classification shall be in accordance with division

rules and regulations. If the division finds any employee gross

earnings to be incorrectly categorized to an industrial or

employment classification, the division shall within a one (1)

year period beginning with the current rate year and including

the previous rate year, credit or debit the employer's account

for the overpayment or underpayment as appropriate. The

division shall waive any underpayment amount, interest,

penalties or claim reimbursements if the incorrect employee

gross earnings categorization was caused by reliance on a

written determination of the division and the employer provided

full and truthful disclosure of all pertinent information in

requesting a determination or if the employer makes a good faith

error in categorization. The division may waive any interest,

penalties or claim reimbursement caused by an underpayment due

to an otherwise incorrect employee gross earning categorization

of an employee's earnings in any other case if it determines

there are sufficient extraordinary circumstances which warrant a

waiver. If an employer's account has been debited pursuant to

this subsection, the employer shall not be considered

contributing as required by this act if he does not pay the

underpayment within thirty (30) days of his account being

debited or within thirty (30) days of completion of any appeals

of the determination of an underpayment, whichever occurs later.

(j) The division, on or about the fifteenth of the month

following the due date, shall send a written notice of

delinquency to an employer failing to submit a report as

required by this section. An employer failing to submit a

report required by this section within thirty (30) days of the

date due shall, in addition to any delinquent premium penalty

pursuant to W.S. 27-14-203, be assessed a penalty of one hundred

dollars ($100.00) for each delinquent report.

27-14-203. Failure of employer to make payments; interest;

lien; injunction; nonexclusive remedies.

(a) Any employer not applying for coverage of eligible

employees or, after obtaining coverage under this act, any

employer failing, neglecting or refusing to make payments

required by this act within thirty (30) days of the date due and

against whom any injured employee is held entitled to worker's

compensation benefits is liable to the state for an amount equal

to all awards, both paid and reserved entered for payment to or

for the employee under this act. If the employer fails,

neglects or refuses to satisfy his liability within the thirty

(30) day period, the amount may be recovered by civil action in

the name of the director. The entry of final order by the

division or hearing examiner approving and allowing an award of

compensation is prima facie proof of the liability of an

employer failing to comply with this act.

(b) Repealed by Laws 1993, ch. 176, § 2.

interest of one percent (1%) per month or any fractional portion

thereof from the due date until payment plus accrued interest is

received by the division. The interest is part of the payment

due for all purposes if suit is instituted as provided in this

act.

(d) If premiums, liabilities pursuant to subsection (a) of

this section, interest and penalties provided by this section

are not paid within thirty (30) days of the date due and

following notice by the division to the employer of the remedies

authorized under this section, and the consequences of these

remedies the attorney general may bring suit in the name of the

state for the collection of all delinquent payments, liabilities

pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, interest and

penalties. If a judgment is rendered in favor of the state, the

judgment shall be for the amount of the premiums, liabilities

pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, interest and

penalties together with costs.

(e) If payments under this act are not paid on or before

the date due and following notice under subsection (d) of this

section, the director may file a lien with the county clerk of

the county in which the employer has his principal place of

business and a copy with any other county. The amount due is a

lien upon all real and personal property of the employer and is

in effect from the time of filing and covers all property of the

employer in any county in which filed. The director shall file

notice of satisfaction of the lien with the county clerk if

payments are collected or found erroneous and may release any

property from the lien or subordinate the lien if he determines

payments are secured by a lien on other property or the

collection of payments are not in jeopardy.

(f) Any employer employing any person in any covered

employment who, following notice by the division of the remedies

authorized under this section, fails to apply for coverage under

this act or, after obtaining coverage under this act, fails to

make payments within thirty (30) days of the date due, may be

enjoined in an action instituted by the director from engaging

or continuing in a business covered by this act. Operations

may, in whole or in part, be enjoined until required payments

are made and the employer complies with this act. The director

is not required to give bond in the action.

(g) Remedies provided by this act are cumulative and are

not exclusive.

(h) If judgment is rendered in favor of the employer in

any action under this section, he shall be entitled to recover

all his costs including a reasonable attorney's fee from the

division. This recovery shall not affect the employer's

experience rating.

(j) The division may enter into an installment payment

agreement with a delinquent employer where payment in a lump sum

would cause severe inconvenience to the employer, provided that:

(i) The agreement shall be agreed upon within thirty

(30) days of the notice provided pursuant to subsection (d) of

this section;

(ii) The term of the installment payment agreement

shall not exceed twelve (12) months; and

(iii) Prospective liabilities which are reasonably

expected to accrue during the term of the installment payment

agreement may be included in the installment payment agreement.

(k) No additional interest, penalties or other liabilities

authorized under this section shall accrue to the employer for

the employer's delinquencies if the employer has entered into an

installment payment agreement pursuant to subsection (j) of this

section and is in compliance with the terms of the agreement.

The employer's relief from liability provided pursuant to W.S.

27-14-104(a) shall remain in effect while the employer is in

compliance with the agreement, provided that the employer has no

further delinquencies under this section. If an employer fails

to comply with the terms of its installment payment agreement,

all premiums, liabilities pursuant to subsection (a) of this

section, interest and penalties provided by this section shall

be applied as of the original delinquency date minus any

payments made and the division may exercise any remaining

remedies authorized under this act.

27-14-204. Coverage of out-of-state injuries; filing.

(a) Repealed By Laws 1997, ch. 177, § 2.

(b) The payment or award of benefits under the worker's

compensation law of another state to an employee or his

dependents otherwise entitled on account of the injury or death

to the benefits of this act is not a bar to a claim for benefits

under this act if a claim under this act is filed within the

time limits set forth in W.S. 27-14-503. If compensation is paid

or awarded under this act, the total amounts of medical and

related income and death benefits paid or awarded under another

worker's compensation law shall be credited against the total

corresponding medical and related income and death benefits due

under this act.

(d) Any employee injured outside of the state of Wyoming

and coming under the provisions of this section shall file his

application for compensation with the division.

27-14-205. State contributions; presumed pay of specified

employees.

(a) State agencies shall administer this act as an

employer with respect to its employees including filing payroll

reports and submitting premium payments for those employees

engaged in extrahazardous employment and covered under this act.

Each state agency having officers or employees subject to this

act shall file payroll reports and submit premium payments as

required by this act. Premium payments for coverage of any

employee employed under a federally funded program administered

by an agency may be made from available federal funds.

(b) For the purpose of determining employer contributions

under this act, all school-to-work participants for which

coverage has been elected under W.S. 27-14-108(m), all persons

receiving training under any work or job training program for

which coverage has been elected under W.S. 27-14-108(p), all

volunteers covered under this act, mine rescue team members,

recipients of any welfare program performing work for a

governmental entity, federal programs which require coverage for

their participants, prisoners and probationers under W.S.

27-14-108(d)(ix) and persons performing community service

pursuant to a criminal sentencing order, or a diversion

agreement entered into with a prosecuting authority, under W.S.

27-14-108(d)(xv), are deemed to be paid for each month of active

service, an amount established by rule and regulation of the

division based upon the cost of the specific employment category

to the worker's compensation account. This amount shall be

established solely as a basis for determining employer

contributions and is not binding upon any employer as an actual

required salary for any volunteer or other individual enumerated

under this subsection.

under this act for officers of a corporation or members of a

limited liability company electing coverage under W.S.

27-14-108(k), rates shall be applied for each officer or member

covered under this act against the statewide average wage for

the preceding twelve (12) month period as determined under W.S.

27-14-802(b).

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this act, a

school district or community college district may make payroll

reports and payments on behalf of any employer electing coverage

for school-to-work participants under W.S. 27-14-108(m). If a

school or community college district elects to make payments

under this subsection, the district shall continue to make

reports and payments for the duration of participation by the

school-to-work participant with that employer.

27-14-206. Public contract work; coverage procedure;

responsibility on private contracts.

(a) If the state, county, University of Wyoming, community

college district, school district, special district or

municipality engages in work in which employees are employed for

wages and if the work is being done by contract, the payroll of

the prime or general contractor or subcontractor shall be the

basis of computation for the payroll assessment. The required

payments shall be subject to the provisions of this act and the

state, the county, university, community college district,

school district, special district or municipality, shall be

entitled to collect from the prime or general contractor the

full amount payable under this act unless the subcontractor

primarily liable for the payment of premiums has paid the

premiums as provided for in this act.

(b) The prime or general contractor shall secure

certification when a contract is awarded or before permitting a

subcontractor to begin work, that the subcontractor has in good

standing an account under this act that covers all coverable

employees in the employ of the subcontractor.

district, school district, special district or municipality

shall secure certification before allowing a prime or general

contractor to permit coverable employees to start work on a

contract, that the contractor, prime or general, has in good

standing an account under this act that covers employees who are

subject to this act.

(d) Before final settlement is made by the state, county,

university, community college district, school district, special

district or municipality, the contractor shall furnish evidence

that all obligations for covered employees on the contract have

been paid as provided by this act.

(e) In private work a contractor who subcontracts all or

any part of a contract is liable for the payment of worker's

compensation premiums for the employees of the subcontractor

unless the subcontractor primarily liable for the payment of

premiums has paid the premiums as provided for in this act. Any

contractor or his carrier who becomes liable for the premiums

may recover the amount of the premiums paid and necessary

expenses from the subcontractor primarily liable therefor. For

premiums paid on behalf of the employees of any subcontractor

pursuant to this subsection, the contractor shall be afforded

all privileges and immunities under this act as if he were the

employer of the subcontractor's employees.

(f) The owner or lessee of land shall be deemed a

contractor when he contracts with another who shall be deemed a

subcontractor to have work performed of a kind which is a

regular or recurrent part of the work of the trade, business,

occupation or profession of the owner or lessee. This subsection

shall not apply to the owner or lessee of land principally used

for agriculture.

27-14-207. Employer registration required; person

acquiring trade of another employer; transfer of experience and

assignment of rates; out of state employers.

(a) Any employer subject to this act shall not commence

business or engage in work in this state without applying for

coverage under this act and receiving a statement of coverage

from the division.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section,

a person acquiring the trade, organization, business or

substantially all of the assets of an employer subject to this

act shall assume the previous employer's account, experience

rating and premium rate as assigned by the division, provided

the previous employer is not participating in the premium

deductible program under W.S. 27-14-201(t). If the previous

employer is participating in the premium deductible program, the

acquiring person shall assume the previous employer's account,

experience rating and premium rate as determined without premium

deductible program eligibility. The acquiring person shall

assume the premium rate which is in effect at the time of the

acquisition based on the existing account's classification,

experience rating and any surcharge which may apply, as

determined without premium deductible program eligibility.

or substantially all of the assets of any employer subject to

this act whose owners or shareholders have not held an ownership

interest in the employer being acquired within one (1) year

previous to the date of acquisition shall assume the previous

employer's account number, experience rating and premium rate as

assigned by the division, provided the previous employer is not

participating in the premium deductible program under W.S.

27-14-201(t). If the previous employer is participating in the

premium deductible program, the acquiring person shall assume

the previous employer's account, experience rating and premium

rate as determined without premium deductible program

eligibility.

(d) The transfer of some or all of an employer's workforce

to another person shall be considered a transfer of trade or

business when, as a result of the transfer, the transferring

employer no longer performs trade or business with respect to

the transferred workforce, and the trade or business is

performed by the person to whom the workforce is transferred.

(e) If an employer transfers all or a portion of its trade

or business to another employer and, at the time of the

transfer, there is substantially common ownership, management or

control of the two (2) employers, then the workers' compensation

experience attributable to the transferred trade or business

shall be transferred to the employer to whom the business is

transferred. The rates of both employers shall be recalculated

and made effective the first day of the calendar quarter

immediately following the date of the transfer of trade or

business.

(f) If, following a transfer of experience under this

section, the department determines that a substantial purpose of

the transfer of the trade or business was to obtain a reduced

premium liability, then the accounts of the employers involved

shall be combined into a single account.

(g) If a person is not an employer under this section at

the time the person acquires the trade or business of an

employer, the workers' compensation experience of the acquired

employer shall not be transferred to the person if the

department finds that the person acquired the trade or business

of the employer solely or primarily for the purpose of obtaining

a lower premium rate. Instead, the person shall be assigned the

applicable industry base rate in effect at the time of the

acquisition. In determining whether the trade or business was

acquired solely or primarily for the purpose of obtaining a

lower premium rate, the department shall use objective factors

which may include the cost of acquiring the business, whether

the person continued the business enterprise of the acquired

business, how long the business enterprise was continued, or

whether a substantial number of new employees were hired for

performance of duties unrelated to the business activity

conducted prior to acquisition.

(h) Where an employer has not had prior operations in

Wyoming and has not had prior worker's compensation insurance

coverage in Wyoming, and moves or expands operations from

another state into Wyoming, and begins operations that are the

same or similar to operations outside of Wyoming, the division

shall assign the employer experience modification rate as

calculated per the current experience modification rating

formula in place at the time. The division shall assign such

experience modification to the partial year ending June 30 after

the start of coverage in Wyoming and to the first full policy

year subsequent to the start of coverage in Wyoming.

(j) The division by rule and regulation shall establish

procedures to identify the transfer or acquisition of a

business, or the movement of an out of state operation to

Wyoming, for purposes of this section and W.S. 27-14-806. The

division may require by regulation an out of state employer to

submit any information necessary for the purpose of determining

an experience modification rate under subsection (h) of this

section.

ARTICLE 3 - NONRESIDENT EMPLOYERS

27-14-301. Applicability of provisions; reciprocity.

(a) This act applies to all injuries and deaths occurring

in Wyoming in employment described in W.S. 27-14-108(a), (d),

(e), (j), (k) or (m) but applies to injuries and deaths

occurring in Wyoming to employees of nonresident employers only

if the worker's compensation or similar law of the nonresident

employer's home state applies to all injuries and deaths

occurring in that state or the nonresident employer's home state

and Wyoming have an active agreement under W.S. 27-14-306(d).

This act applies to all injuries and deaths occurring outside of

Wyoming in employment described in W.S. 27-14-108(a), (d), (e),

(j), (k) or (m) under the following conditions:

(i) Repealed by Laws 2006, Chapter 2, § 2.

(ii) The employee at the time of the injury is

working under a contract for hire made in Wyoming for employment

by an employer who has a principal place of business within the

state established for legitimate business-related purposes and

the employment is within the United States, a United States

territory, Canada or Mexico, but which is not principally

localized in any other state, United States territory, Canada or

Mexico; or

(iii) The employee at the time of the injury is

working under a contract for hire made in Wyoming for employment

principally localized in another state, United States territory,

Canada or Mexico, the workers' compensation law of which

jurisdiction does not require that the employment be covered by

a workers' compensation insurance policy issued under the laws

of that jurisdiction.

(b) Repealed By Laws 2006, Chapter 2, § 2.

27-14-302. Required reporting; security required for

certain nonresident employers.

(a) Nonresident employers before starting work, and from

time to time after the work has been commenced, shall report to

the director the nature and progress of the work, the location

of the work and the number of employees engaged in and upon the

work and likely to be so engaged for the next thirty (30) days,

giving further and detailed information as the director may

reasonably demand.

(b) Before starting business or engaging work in this

state, a nonresident employer as defined by W.S. 27-1-106(a)

shall register as required by W.S. 27-14-207, and shall either

pay an advance premium deposit as provided in the department's

rules and regulations or shall file with the director a surety

bond or other security approved by the director, as provided in

W.S. 27-1-106.

(d) Repealed by Laws 1991, ch. 93, § 2.

(e) The requirements of this section shall be waived if

the nonresident employer provides a certificate of coverage

pursuant to W.S. 27-14-306(b).

27-14-303. Contract with nonresident conditioned upon

compliance.

A contract shall not be let to a nonresident employer for work

or services within the state until the contributions provided by

this act have been paid.

27-14-304. Return of deposit to nonresident employer after

cessation of operations.

Money, bonds or other security deposited pursuant to this act

shall be returned to the nonresident employer in accordance with

W.S. 27-1-106.

27-14-305. Secretary of state designated agent for service

of process.

Nonresident employers upon engaging in any covered employment,

unless they designate a resident agent for service of process,

shall be deemed from the date of the commencement of work to

have designated the secretary of state as their agent for

service of any process upon them in any action prosecuted

pursuant to this act. The secretary of state upon the receipt

of any process shall send the process by certified or registered

mail return receipt requested to the last known address of the

employer.

27-14-306. Extraterritorial applicability of provisions;

reciprocity.

(a) Repealed By Laws 1997, ch. 177, § 2.

(b) A certificate from an authorized officer of the

worker's compensation department or similar agency of another

state certifying that an employer of that state is bound by the

worker's compensation or similar law of that state and the law

will be applied to employees of the employer while in this

state, is prima facie evidence of the application of the

worker's compensation or similar law of the certifying state.

This subsection shall apply only when the certifying state

accepts Wyoming worker's compensation certification as prima

facie evidence of the application of Wyoming worker's

compensation or similar law or when the certifying state and

Wyoming have an active agreement under subsection (d) of this

section.

other state that are received by the employee for an injury

sustained while working for the employer in this state are the

exclusive remedy against the employer and coemployees acting

within the scope of their employment for an injury whether or

not that injury resulted in death.

(d) Upon approval of the governor, the division shall

enter into an agreement with any worker's compensation division

or similar agency of another state to promulgate regulations not

inconsistent with this act to carry out the extraterritorial

application of the worker's compensation or similar law of the

agreeing state.

27-14-307. Penalty for failure to post bond.

The willful failure of any nonresident employer in a covered

employment to give bond or other security required by this act

constitutes a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than

five thousand dollars ($5,000.00), imprisonment for not more

than one (1) year, or both.

ARTICLE 4 - EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

27-14-401. Medical, hospital and ambulance expenses;

review of claim; employer and division designated providers;

contracts for bill review, case management and related programs;

air ambulance reimbursement.

(a) The expense of medical and hospital care of an injured

employee shall be paid from the date of the compensable injury

unless under general arrangement the employee is entitled to

free medical and hospital care or the employer furnishes

adequate and proper medical and hospital care to his employees.

(b) No fee for medical or hospital care under this section

shall be allowed by the division without first reviewing the fee

for appropriateness and reasonableness in accordance with its

adopted fee schedules.

care if approved by the director.

(d) Medical and hospital care shall be obtained if

possible within Wyoming, or in an adjoining state if the

hospital or health care provider in the adjoining state is

closer to the scene of the accident or to the usual place of

employment of the employee than a hospital or health care

provider in Wyoming, unless otherwise authorized by the

division. Except as otherwise authorized by the division,

reimbursements for travel in obtaining medical and hospital care

shall not be paid:

(i) For travel of less than ten (10) miles one (1)

way except by ambulance travel as set forth in W.S.

27-14-401(e);

(ii) For travel other than that necessary to obtain

the closest available medical or hospital care needed by the

employee except in those instances where travel within Wyoming

is at a greater distance than travel outside of Wyoming;

(iii) In excess of the rates at which state employees

are paid per diem and mileage.

(e) If transportation by ambulance is necessary, the

division shall allow a reasonable charge for the ambulance

service at a rate not in excess of the rate schedule established

by the director under the procedure set forth for payment of

medical and hospital care, provided this subsection shall not

apply to air ambulance transport services.

(f) Subject to subsection (h) of this section, an employer

or the division may designate health care providers to provide

nonemergency medical attention to his employees or to claimants

under this act. Except as provided in subsection (h) of this

section, the employee may for any reason, select any other

health care provider. If the employee selects a health care

provider other than the one (1) selected by the employer or the

division, the employer or division may require a second opinion

from a health care provider of their choice. The second opinion

may include an independent medical evaluation, a functional

capacity exam or a review of the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment

and fees of the employee's health care provider. The

independent medical evaluation, a functional capacity exam or

the review by the employer's health care provider shall be paid

for by the employer and the evaluation, a functional capacity

exam or review by the division's health care provider shall be

paid from the worker's compensation account.

(g) The division may engage in and contract for medical

bill review programs, medical case management programs and

utilization review programs. The division may also negotiate

with out-of-state health care providers regarding the payment of

fees for necessary medical care to injured workers, not to

exceed the usual, customary charges for the comparable treatment

in the community where rendered or the amount payable for the

same services by the worker's compensation fund or account of

the state where rendered, whichever is less.

(h) In the case of an inmate employed in a correctional

industries program authorized by W.S. 25-13-101 through

25-13-107 or performing services pursuant to W.S. 7-16-202, the

department of corrections shall select the health care provider

for the inmate.

(j) Emergency and medically necessary air ambulance

transport services for an employee shall be covered under W.S.

42-4-123, subject to availability and any limitations specified

by the department under W.S. 42-4-123(a). The department of

workforce services shall pay reimbursement for services under

this section to the department of health as specified under W.S.

42-4-123. Application of this subsection shall be contingent on

operation of the air ambulance transport services program under

W.S. 42-4-123(b).

27-14-402. Payment for artificial replacement.

In addition to payment of medical and hospital care provided by

this act, an injured employee may receive payment for essential

and adequate artificial replacement of any part of the body

which is amputated. If the injury requires artificial

replacement an injured employee may receive payment for any

adequate and essential artificial aid to hearing or sight, a

spinal brace or other similar brace or for artificial dental

replacement. Payment for artificial dental replacement shall be

in accordance with the schedule adopted by the division.

27-14-403. Awards generally; method of payment.

(a) In addition to payment of medical and hospital care

and artificial replacement, an injured employee and his

dependents may be entitled to one (1) or more awards for:

(i) Temporary total disability or temporary light

duty;

(ii) Permanent partial impairment;

(iii) Permanent partial disability or vocational

rehabilitation as provided under W.S. 27-14-408;

(iv) Permanent total disability; or

(v) Death.

(b) Notwithstanding the date of death or the date of the

determination of permanent total disability, in the case of

permanent total disability or death, each child of an employee

shall be paid two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) per month for

payments made after July 1, 2009, until the child dies or

reaches the age of twenty-one (21) years, whichever first

occurs, or if the child is physically or mentally incapacitated

until the child dies unless qualified for and receiving benefits

under the Medicaid home and community based waiver program. If

the child is enrolled or preregistered in a post secondary

educational institution including a four-year college, community

college or private trade school licensed pursuant to W.S.

21-2-401 through 21-2-407 and providing career, technical or

apprenticeship training, the child shall receive the amount

provided by this section until the child attains the age of

twenty-five (25) years. The amount awarded under this subsection

shall be adjusted for inflation annually by the division, using

the consumer price index or its successor index of the United

States department of labor, bureau of labor statistics, or three

percent (3%), whichever is less.

paragraph (a)(i), subsection (b) and paragraphs (e)(ii), (iv)

and (v) and (h)(ii) and subsection (k) of this section shall be

paid monthly at the rates prescribed by this subsection. For

permanent partial impairment under paragraph (a)(ii) of this

section, the award shall be calculated at the rate of two-thirds

(2/3) of the statewide average monthly wage for the twelve (12)

month period immediately preceding the quarterly period in which

the benefits are first paid as determined pursuant to W.S.

27-14-802. For temporary total disability under paragraph

(a)(i) of this section, the award shall be paid monthly at the

rate of thirty percent (30%) of the statewide average monthly

wage or two-thirds (2/3) of the injured employee's actual

monthly earnings at the time of injury, whichever is greater,

but shall not exceed the lesser of one hundred percent (100%) of

the injured employee's actual monthly earnings at the time of

the injury or the statewide average monthly wage for the twelve

(12) month period immediately preceding the quarterly period in

which the injury occurred as determined pursuant to W.S.

27-14-802 with one-half (1/2) of the monthly award paid on or

about the fifteenth of the month and one-half (1/2) paid on or

about the thirtieth of the month. For temporary light duty

under paragraph (a)(i) of this section, the award shall be paid

monthly at the rate of eighty percent (80%) of the difference

between the employee's light duty wage and the employee's actual

monthly earnings at the time of injury. For permanent partial

and permanent total disability or death under paragraphs

(a)(iii), (iv) and (v) of this section, the award shall be paid

monthly computed as follows:

(i) For those employees whose actual monthly earnings

are less than seventy-three percent (73%) of the statewide

average monthly wage, the award shall be ninety-two percent

(92%) of the injured employee's actual monthly earnings;

(ii) For those employees whose actual monthly

earnings are equal to or greater than seventy-three percent

(73%) of the statewide average monthly wage, but less than the

statewide average monthly wage, the award shall be two-thirds

(2/3) of the statewide average monthly wage;

(iii) For those employees whose actual monthly

earnings are greater than or equal to the statewide average

monthly wage, the award shall be two-thirds (2/3) of the

employee's actual monthly earnings, but the award shall be

capped at and shall not exceed the statewide average monthly

wage;

(iv) In the case of death due to work related causes,

and if the award computed under paragraph (i), (ii) or (iii) of

this subsection is less than eighty percent (80%) of the

statewide average monthly wage, the award shall be adjusted to

an amount not less than eighty percent (80%) of the statewide

average monthly wage or seventy-five percent (75%) of the

injured employee's actual monthly earnings at the time of

injury, whichever is greater. In no event shall the award

exceed two (2) times the statewide average monthly wage for the

twelve (12) month period immediately preceding the quarterly

period in which the injury occurred as determined pursuant to

W.S. 27-14-802;

(v) Awards for permanent total disability shall be

adjusted for inflation annually by the division, using the

consumer price index or its successor index of the United States

department of labor, bureau of labor statistics, for the

calendar year before the date of adjustment or three percent

(3%), whichever is less. The adjustment provided by this

paragraph shall apply to all awards for permanent total

disability benefits in effect on or after July 1, 2009 using as

the base for calculation the award in effect on that date or the

first award, whichever is later. The adjustment shall become

effective annually on July 1 and shall be applied to all awards

for permanent total disability that were first made at least one

(1) year before the effective date of the adjustment.

(d) If an injured employee entitled to receive or

receiving an award under paragraph (a)(ii), (iii) or (iv) of

this section dies due to causes other than the work related

injury, the balance of the award shall be paid:

(i) To the surviving spouse;

(ii) If there is no surviving spouse or if the spouse

remarries or dies, the balance of the award shall be paid to the

surviving dependent children of the employee. Each surviving

dependent child shall receive a share of the award in the

proportion that the number of months from the death or

remarriage until the child attains the age of majority, or if

the child is physically or mentally incapacitated until the

child attains the age of twenty-one (21) years, bears to the

total number of months until all children will attain these

ages;

(iii) If there is no surviving spouse or if the

spouse remarries or dies and there are no dependent children or

the children have attained the age of majority or twenty-one

(21) if physically or mentally incapacitated, or die, the

balance of the award shall be paid to a surviving parent of the

employee if the parent received substantially all of his

financial support from the employee at the time of injury. If

two (2) remaining parents of the employee who received

substantially all of their financial support from the employee

at the time of the injury survive the employee, the balance of

the award shall be divided equally between the two (2) parents;

(iv) Payment of the award shall cease:

(A) If there is no surviving spouse, dependent

children or dependent parents;

(B) Upon remarriage or death of a spouse and

there are no dependent children or dependent parents;

payments to that child; and

(D) Upon the death of a dependent parent as to

payments to that parent.

(e) If an injured employee dies as a result of the work

related injury whether or not an award under paragraphs (a)(i)

through (iv) of this section has been made:

(i) All awards under paragraphs (a)(i) through (iv)

of this section shall cease as of the date of death;

(ii) The burial expenses of the deceased employee

shall be paid in an amount not to exceed five thousand dollars

($5,000.00) together with an additional amount of five thousand

dollars ($5,000.00) to cover other related expenses, unless

other arrangements exist between the employer and employee under

agreement;

(iii) The surviving spouse shall receive for one

hundred (100) months a monthly payment as provided by subsection

award is entirely paid or if there is no surviving spouse, the

unpaid balance of the award shall be paid to the surviving

dependent children of the employee in the manner prescribed by

paragraph (d)(ii) of this section. If there are no dependent

children, further payments under this paragraph shall cease as

of the date of the spouse's death;

(iv) In addition to any amount paid under paragraph

(e)(iii) of this section, surviving children shall receive an

award as provided by subsection (b) of this section;

(v) If the employee died with no surviving spouse or

dependent children but with one (1) surviving parent or two (2)

surviving parents of the employee who received at least one-half

(1/2) of his or their financial support from the employee at the

time of injury, the surviving parent or parents shall receive a

monthly payment as provided by subsection (c) of this section

for sixty (60) months thereafter or until the parent or the

survivor of them dies.

(f) Awards to an employee or a spouse for permanent

partial disability, permanent total disability or death may,

upon application to the division with a showing of exceptional

necessity and notice to the employer, be paid in whole or in

part in a lump sum. In no event shall an award for permanent

partial impairment under W.S. 27-14-405 be paid in a lump sum.

(g) Following payment in full of any award, or if a lump

sum settlement was made under subsection (f) of this section

when the award would have been fully paid but for the lump sum

settlement, to an employee for permanent total disability or to

a surviving spouse for death of an employee, an additional award

for extended benefits may be granted subject to the following

requirements and limitations:

(i) In the case of an employee:

(A) A claim for compensation is filed by the

employee or someone on his behalf;

(B) The employee establishes a reasonable effort

on his behalf has been made to return to part time or full time

employment including retraining and educational programs;

under this paragraph shall consider the amount of the monthly

award made to an injured worker pursuant to W.S.

27-14-403(a)(iv), all earned income of the injured worker, all

employment based retirement income of the injured worker, all

income derived by the injured worker as a result of the injury,

excluding mortgage or any other loan credit insurance, or any

supplemental income insurance purchased by or on behalf of the

employee and any periodic payments from any other governmental

entity to the injured worker. The division shall not consider

any other income received by the injured worker or members of

the injured worker's household;

(D) The maximum monthly amount of additional

compensation shall not exceed the amount provided in subsection

(E) The division may attach reasonable

conditions to application for or receipt of awards under this

subsection including retraining or educational programs and the

award may be adjusted in accordance with fulfillment of the

conditions;

(F) The division may decrease an award to

qualify an employee eligible for maximum benefits under any

other state or federal pension plan;

(G) Any award granted under this subsection

shall not exceed twelve (12) months unless the division

determines an award for a period exceeding twelve (12) months

but not greater than four (4) years is appropriate.

(ii) In the case of a surviving spouse, upon

application to the division and a showing of necessity, the

division may award continued monthly payments to the spouse not

to exceed one-third (1/3) of the statewide average monthly wage

for the twelve (12) month period immediately preceding the

quarter in which the injury occurred. An award granted under

this paragraph shall not exceed twelve (12) months but may be

renewed and shall cease at the time the spouse dies or

remarries.

(h) All awards to a minor or individual with a legal

disability shall be paid:

(i) To the legal guardian or conservator if one

exists; or

(ii) As the division determines to be in the best

interests of the minor or individual if there is no legal

guardian or conservator.

(j) As used in this section:

(i) "Actual monthly earnings" means the injured

employee's actual monthly earnings at the time of injury

excluding any payment for casual or unscheduled overtime and any

fringe benefit;

(ii) "Overtime" means payments for work in excess of

forty (40) hours per week;

(iii) "Statewide average monthly wage" means the

statewide average monthly wage for the twelve (12) month period

immediately preceding the quarterly period in which the injury

occurred as determined pursuant to W.S. 27-14-802.

(k) Any injured worker who has or is receiving medical

services entirely in Wyoming from a Wyoming health care provider

shall be eligible if otherwise qualified for temporary total

disability payments at the rate of seventy percent (70%) of the

injured worker's actual monthly earnings at the time of the

injury but not to exceed one hundred and three percent (103%) of

the statewide average wage for the twelve (12) month period

immediately preceding the quarterly period in which the injury

occurred as determined pursuant to W.S. 27-14-802, with the

following exceptions:

(i) If an injured worker is injured outside of

Wyoming, the injured worker if otherwise qualified shall be

eligible to receive temporary total disability payments at the

rate provided in this subsection, provided the injured worker

receives services entirely in Wyoming from a Wyoming health care

provider after initial treatment following the injury;

(ii) An injured worker otherwise qualified for

temporary total disability payments shall be eligible to receive

temporary total disability payments at the rate provided in this

subsection if the services or treatment by an out-of-state

health care provider were rendered upon the instruction of the

division; or

(iii) An injured worker otherwise qualified for

temporary total disability payments shall be eligible to receive

temporary total disability payments at the rate provided in this

subsection if due to unavailability of medical services in

Wyoming, the division provides written authorization, before or

after treatment, to the injured worker to obtain the medical

services from an out-of-state health care provider and the out-

of-state health care provider agreed to accept as full payment

the fees paid by the division pursuant to the division's fee

schedule. For purposes of this subsection, medical services

shall be deemed unavailable in Wyoming if the distance from the

injured worker's residence to an in-state health care provider

is at least one hundred (100) miles greater than the distance

from the injured worker's residence to an out-of-state medical

provider;

(iv) An injured worker otherwise qualified for

temporary total disability payments shall be eligible to receive

temporary total disability payments at the rate provided in this

subsection if the employer has a contractual agreement with an

out-of-state health care provider.

27-14-404. Temporary total disability; benefits;

determination of eligibility; exceptions for volunteers or

prisoners; period of certification limited; temporary light duty

employment.

(a) If after a compensable injury is sustained and as a

result of the injury the employee is subject to temporary total

disability as defined under W.S. 27-14-102(a)(xviii), the

injured employee is entitled to receive a temporary total

disability award for the period of temporary total disability as

provided by W.S. 27-14-403(c). The period for receiving a

temporary total disability award under this section for injuries

resulting from any one (1) incident or accident shall not exceed

a cumulative period of twenty-four (24) months, except that the

division pursuant to its rules and regulations and in its

discretion may in the event of extraordinary circumstances award

additional temporary total disability benefits. The division's

decision to grant such additional benefits shall be reviewable

by a hearing examiner only for an abuse of discretion by the

division.

(b) Any employee awarded benefits under W.S. 27-14-405 or

27-14-406 is not eligible for benefits under subsection (a) of

this section unless the employee has returned to gainful

employment and following employment, undergoes additional

surgery not reasonably contemplated before the award for

permanent impairment or disability and then only for a

reasonable period of recuperation, confinement for medical care

during the actual period of confinement or unless application is

made and an award is granted under W.S. 27-14-605.

cease prior to expiration of the twenty-four (24) month maximum

period specified under subsection (a) of this section if:

(i) Recovery is complete to the extent that the

earning power of the employee at a gainful occupation for which

he is reasonably suited by experience or training is

substantially restored; or

(ii) The employee has an ascertainable loss,

qualifies for benefits under W.S. 27-14-405 or 27-14-406 and the

first monthly payment pursuant to either of those sections has

been issued to the employee.

(d) Disability payments under this section shall not be

allowed for the first three (3) days of disability unless the

incapacity extends beyond eight (8) days. If payments cease for

a period of eight (8) days or more, the employee may apply for

reinstatement under W.S. 27-14-605 and any award granted shall

be treated as an initial award. In determining the period of

disability, the day the disability occurred shall be included

unless the employee received full payment of wages for that day.

No employee shall be forced to use sick leave before applying

for or instead of benefits under this section. Benefits under

subsection (a) of this section shall not be paid if:

(i) An employee or his personal representative fails

to file a claim for benefits within thirty (30) days after the

first day immediately succeeding the first thirty (30) days of

any certified period of temporary total disability;

(ii) A claim is filed without the signature of the

claimant and certification by the attending health care

provider; or

(iii) An employee is receiving unemployment

compensation under W.S. 27-3-101 through 27-3-704.

(e) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, any

volunteer or mine rescue team member covered under this act and

sustaining a temporary total disability in the line of duty

shall receive the maximum benefit allowable under this section.

(f) Any individual serving time in any penal or

correctional institution who is an employee under this act or

any probationer or parolee not covered by a qualifying

employer-employee relationship performing work pursuant to court

order is not eligible for benefits under this section for

injuries suffered during the period of incarceration, probation

or parole. Upon release from the penal or correctional

institution or upon completion of probation or parole, any

remaining benefits for which the individual would otherwise

qualify for under this section shall be paid from and after the

date of release or completion. In addition, any individual

classified as a school-to-work participant under this act is not

eligible for benefits under this section for injuries suffered

during the participation in a school-to-work program activity.

(g) Only a health care provider may certify temporary

total disability under this act. The length of time of the

initial certification or recertification of temporary total

disability shall be established by the department after

considering the recommendation of the health care provider and

current medical literature. Subject to W.S. 27-14-609, the

employer, employee or division may request recertification of

the period of temporary total disability at intervals of not

less than sixty (60) days, provided that in the event of

extraordinary circumstances, the division may reconsider

recertification at any time. The temporary total disability

shall not exceed the period allowed by W.S. 27-14-404(a).

(h) Payment under subsection (a) of this section shall be

suspended if the injured employee fails to appear at an

appointment with his health care provider. Payment shall be

suspended under this subsection until such time as the employee

appears at a subsequent rescheduled appointment. Payment shall

not be suspended for failing to appear at an appointment if the

employee notifies the case manager or the division prior to the

appointment or within twenty-four (24) hours after missing the

appointment and the division determines, after recommendation by

the case manager, that the employee made all reasonable efforts

to appear at the appointment. At the time of the first benefit

payment under this section, the division shall notify the

employee of the requirements and other provisions of this

subsection, including the procedures to be followed in notifying

the case manager or the division. For purposes of this

subsection, health care provider includes physical and

occupational therapists.

(j) An employer may make a written offer of temporary

light duty work to an employee receiving temporary total

disability under subsection (a) of this section. The offer

shall be a bona fide offer on a form supplied by the division,

stating with specificity the proposed hours of employment,

starting date, wage and physical or other functional capacity

requirements of the light duty work. If the employee accepts

the offer, the temporary total disability award shall cease and

the employee shall receive a temporary light duty award, subject

to the following terms and conditions:

(i) After notice to the employer, the health care

provider who certified temporary total disability has certified

on the light duty work agreement that the employee is released

to perform the light duty work described in the agreement;

(ii) All periods of light duty work may not exceed

one (1) year cumulatively for any one (1) injury;

(iii) The temporary light duty assignment commences

not less than fourteen (14) days following the written offer;

(iv) Payment of the temporary light duty award shall

cease as provided for temporary total disability under

subsection (c) of this section or if the employee's actual

monthly earnings from all sources when combined with the

temporary light duty award exceed ninety-five percent (95%) of

the employee's actual monthly earnings at the time of injury;

(v) The employer shall provide the division before

commencement of the light duty work with a copy of the light

duty work agreement signed by the employer and the employee, and

shall report to the division by the fifteenth of each month the

employee's hours and rate of pay for the previous month;

(vi) The temporary total disability award of any

employee refusing a bona fide written offer of temporary light

duty work pursuant to this subsection shall be reduced by two-

thirds (2/3) unless the employee provides written proof to the

employer and the division of enrollment by the employee in any

collegiate, vocational retraining, general education development

or other program approved by the division which is designed to

retrain the employee for employment in an occupation other than

that previously offered by the employer; and

(vii) The temporary light duty award under this

subsection and the balance of a temporary total disability award

under paragraph (vi) of this subsection shall not be charged to

the employer's experience rating established under W.S.

27-14-201(d).

(k) If the employer objects to a division determination

that an injury is compensable and the employee's health care

provider has certified the employee as temporarily totally

disabled, an injured worker may request an interim benefit while

his case is under appeal. The amount of the benefit will be

calculated at the temporary total disability rate as determined

under W.S. 27-14-403(c) and shall be paid for up to three (3)

months until a final compensability decision by a hearing

examiner is issued or until the expiration of the period of

certified temporary disability, whichever occurs first. The

period during which the interim benefit is received shall be

included in the time period allowed under W.S. 27-14-404(a). The

experience rating of the employer against whom a claim is made

shall not be charged for the interim benefit if the injury is

determined after hearing not to be compensable. Only one (1)

interim benefit under this subsection may be awarded per injury.

27-14-405. Permanent partial disability; benefits;

schedule; permanent disfigurement; disputed ratings.

(a) Repealed by Laws 1994, ch. 86, § 3.

(b) Repealed by Laws 1994, ch. 86, § 3.

(d) Repealed by Laws 1994, ch. 86, § 3.

(e) Renumbered as (m) by Laws 1994, ch. 86, § 2.

(f) An injured employee suffering an ascertainable loss

may apply for a permanent partial impairment award as provided

in this section.

(g) An injured employee's impairment shall be rated by a

licensed physician using the most recent edition of the American

Medical Association's guide to the evaluation of permanent

impairment. The award shall be paid as provided by W.S.

27-14-403 for the number of months determined by multiplying the

percentage of impairment by sixty (60) months.

(h) An injured employee awarded permanent partial

impairment benefits may apply for a permanent disability award

subject to the following terms and conditions:

(i) The injured employee is because of the injury,

unable to return to employment at a wage that is at least

ninety-five percent (95%) of the monthly gross earnings the

employee was earning at the time of injury;

(ii) An application for permanent partial disability

is filed not before three (3) months after the date of

ascertainable loss or three (3) months before the last scheduled

impairment payment, whichever occurs later, but in no event

later than one (1) year following the later date; and

(iii) The employee has actively sought suitable work,

considering the employee's health, education, training and

experience.

(j) The disability award under subsection (h) of this

section shall be payable monthly in the amount provided by W.S.

27-14-403 for the number of months determined by adding the

number of months computed under this subsection as follows:

(i) Fourteen (14) months, multiplied by a fraction in

which the numerator is sixty-five (65) minus the employee's age

at the date of injury and the denominator is forty-five (45);

(ii) Eight and one-half (8 1/2) months, multiplied by

a fraction in which the numerator is four (4) minus the

employee's completed years of education beyond the twelfth

grade, not to exceed four (4) years, and the denominator is four

(4);

(iii) Six (6) months, multiplied by a fraction in

which the numerator is four (4) minus the number of different

occupations in which the employee has worked at least eighteen

(18) months in the eight (8) year period preceding the injury

but not to exceed four (4), and the denominator is four (4);

(iv) Up to two (2) months if the employee at the time

of injury was engaged in a formal education or training program

for an occupation which was reasonably expected to pay more than

the employee's employment at the time of injury and the

employee, because of the permanent injury, will be unable to

enter into the new occupation;

(v) One (1) month if the employee is forty-five (45)

to forty-nine (49) years of age at the time of injury, two (2)

months if the employee is fifty (50) to fifty-four (54) years of

age at the time of injury, and three (3) months if the employee

is fifty-five (55) years of age or older at the time of injury.

(k) An employee incurring permanent disfigurement due to

an injury to the face or head which affects his earning capacity

or ability to secure gainful employment shall receive in

proportion to the extent of the disfigurement, an additional

physical impairment award not to exceed six (6) months of

compensation payable monthly as provided by W.S. 27-14-403(c).

Any previous disfigurement to the face or head of the employee

shall be considered when authorizing the award.

(m) If the percentage of physical impairment is disputed,

the division shall obtain a second opinion and if the ratings

conflict, shall determine the physical impairment award upon

consideration of the initial and second opinion. Any objection

to a final determination pursuant to this subsection shall be

referred to the medical commission for hearing by a medical

hearing panel acting as hearing examiner pursuant to W.S.

27-14-616.

(n) This section specifies the length of time amounts

computed pursuant to W.S. 27-14-403(c) are to be awarded and

except for amounts awarded under W.S. 27-14-408, shall not be

construed to allow awards in excess of the amounts computed

pursuant to W.S. 27-14-403(c).

27-14-406. Permanent total disability; benefits.

(a) Subject to W.S. 27-14-602, upon certification by a

physician licensed to practice surgery or medicine that an

injury results in permanent total disability as defined under

W.S. 27-14-102(a)(xvi), an injured employee shall receive for

eighty (80) months a monthly payment as provided by W.S.

27-14-403(c) and dependent children shall receive an award as

provided by W.S. 27-14-403(b). The eighty (80) month period

shall be reduced by the number of months for which previous

awards under W.S. 27-14-405 were made for the injury that

resulted in the determination of permanent total disability,

with the injured worker receiving the monthly amount calculated

pursuant to W.S. 27-14-403(c) for the balance of the eighty (80)

month period. The monthly payment amount computed under W.S.

27-14-403(c) and any amount awarded under W.S. 27-14-408 shall

constitute the exclusive benefit for both the physical

impairment and the economic loss resulting from an injury,

including loss of earnings, extra expenses associated with the

injury and vocational rehabilitation. An employee shall not

receive benefits under this section if receiving benefits under

W.S. 27-14-404 or 27-14-405.

(b) This section specifies the length of time amounts

computed pursuant to W.S. 27-14-403(c) are to be awarded and

except for amounts awarded under W.S. 27-14-408, shall not be

construed to allow awards in excess of the amounts computed

pursuant to W.S. 27-14-403(c).

this section shall be referred to the medical commission for

hearing by a medical hearing panel acting as hearing examiner

pursuant to W.S. 27-14-616.

27-14-407. Forfeiture of benefits due to unsanitary or

injurious practice.

If an injured employee knowingly engages or persists in an

unsanitary or injurious practice which tends to imperil or

retard his recovery, or if he refuses to submit to medical or

surgical treatment reasonably essential to promote his recovery,

he forfeits all right to compensation under this act.

Forfeiture shall be determined by the hearing examiner upon

application by the division or employer.

27-14-408. Vocational rehabilitation; application;

eligibility; plan; limitation; modification, suspension or

termination.

(a) An injured employee may apply to the division to

participate in a vocational rehabilitation program if:

(i) An award has been made under W.S. 27-14-405(f)

and (g) or it is reasonably expected, due to the nature and

extent of the injury, that an award will be made under W.S.

27-14-405(f) and (g);

(ii) The compensable injury will prevent the employee

from returning to any occupation for which the employee has

previous training or experience and in which the employee was

gainfully employed at any time during the three (3) year period

before the injury;

(iii) The employee's injury has not previously

resulted in an award for vocational disability, whether

denominated loss of earnings, loss of earning capacity or

vocational award; and

(iv) The employee elects in writing to accept

vocational rehabilitation instead of any permanent partial

disability award under W.S. 27-14-405(h) and (j) arising from

the same physical injury.

(b) Upon receipt of an application, the division shall

determine if the employee is eligible for participation in a

rehabilitation program pursuant to this section.

eligibility for rehabilitation, the division shall immediately

send a copy of the application and determination to the local

office of the division of vocational rehabilitation of the

department of workforce services.

(d) The division of vocational rehabilitation shall upon

receipt of the determination of eligibility, immediately provide

the injured employee with a written explanation of the

rehabilitation services available to injured employees and its

procedures for developing and supervising an individualized

rehabilitation plan for the employee.

(e) The division of vocational rehabilitation shall in

cooperation with the injured employee, develop an individualized

rehabilitation plan for the employee agreed to by both the

division of vocational rehabilitation and employee, that:

(i) Is reasonably contemplated to restore the

employee's ability to return to former employment, a related

occupation or other suitable employment which, to the extent

reasonably possible, has an earnings level comparable to the

employee's pre-injury earnings;

(ii) Shall not exceed five (5) years or a total cost

of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000.00) unless extended or

increased for extenuating circumstances as defined by rule and

regulation of the division;

(iii) Is the least costly feasible plan consistent

with the rehabilitation goal established pursuant to paragraph

(e)(i) of this section; and

(iv) Includes provisions for living expenses during

the rehabilitation plan if the employee is not receiving

payments for living expenses from any other government benefit

program including worker's compensation, and other sources of

household income are insufficient to pay minimally necessary

living expenses, provided the vocational rehabilitation program

is pursued as rapidly as possible.

(f) The division may modify, suspend or terminate the

participation of an injured worker in the rehabilitation program

upon certification by the division of vocational rehabilitation

that the injured worker has failed to cooperate or maintain

satisfactory progress toward the mutually agreed upon

rehabilitation plan goals.

ARTICLE 5 - CLAIM PROCEDURE

27-14-501. Report by health care provider accepting cases;

report of examination; recertification; bills; filing of claims.

(a) Within thirty (30) days after accepting the case of an

injured employee and within thirty (30) days after each

examination or treatment, a health care provider or a hospital

shall file without charge a written medical report with the

division. Upon request, the division shall provide a copy of the

report to the employer or employee. The division shall notify

the employer and the employee that they shall be provided a copy

of the report upon request. The report shall state the nature

of the injury, the diagnosis, prognosis and prescribed

treatment. Any health care provider or hospital failing or

refusing to file the report or transmit copies within the time

prescribed by this subsection or presenting a claim for services

not reasonably justified or which was not required as a result

of the work related injury shall forfeit any remuneration or

award under this act for services rendered or facilities

furnished the employee. Fees or portions of fees for injury

related services or products rendered shall not be billed to or

collected from the injured employee. Any tests to be

administered or other services proposed to be rendered by a

health care provider which are clearly not germane to the injury

shall be disclosed to the injured employee, if possible, and the

employee shall be advised that the cost of the tests or services

will be the responsibility of the employee if he consents to the

tests or services. Any other necessary and reasonable test or

report including initial and necessary follow-up testing for

blood borne pathogens, which may be required by division policy

or requested by the division, employer or employee may be paid

in accordance with a fee schedule adopted by the division. The

division shall by rule and regulation institute an appropriate

policy for testing for blood borne pathogens after possible

occupational exposure and for immediate prophylactic treatment

if medically indicated, and shall inform hospitals and primary

health care providers of this policy.

(b) Any health care provider attending an employee injured

while engaged in any employment covered under this act and

certifying temporary total disability under W.S. 27-14-404 shall

examine the employee before certification and shall without

charge file a written report with the division. Prior to each

period of subsequent recertification of temporary total

disability, the health care provider shall reexamine the

employee and file without charge a written report with the

division. In addition, the health care provider shall as soon as

practical notify the division upon releasing an injured employee

from temporary total disability. Upon request, the division,

without delay, shall transmit copies to the employer or

employee. The report shall specify reasons for temporary total

disability or continued temporary total disability and is

subject to the time limitations and penalties imposed under

subsection (a) of this section. Any health care provider

certifying or recertifying temporary total disability without an

examination of the employee shall be reported to the state

licensing board for the respective health care provider.

properly dated, itemized and certified by the claimant may be

disallowed by the division.

(d) Within thirty (30) days after the first of the month

succeeding the month in which services were rendered to the

injured employee, itemized bills and claims for medical and

hospital care shall be filed with the division. The division

shall upon request provide copies to the employee or employer.

Any bill or claim not filed by the claimant in accordance with

this subsection may result in a denial of the bill or claim.

(e) An initial claim for temporary total disability

benefits under W.S. 27-14-404 and any subsequent claim for

temporary total disability following the initial period of

certification shall be filed with the division and the division

shall transmit a copy of the initial claim to the employer.

Failure to file a claim for temporary total disability in

accordance with W.S. 27-14-404(d) shall result in denial of the

claim.

(f) A claim for permanent impairment or disability

benefits under W.S. 27-14-405 and 27-14-406 and a claim for

death benefits under W.S. 27-14-403 shall be filed with the

division.

27-14-502. Employee's injury report to employer and

division; presumption raised by failure to file report; release

of information.

(a) As soon as is practical but not later than seventy-two

(72) hours after the general nature of the injury became

apparent, an injured employee shall, in writing or by other

means approved by the department, report the occurrence and

general nature of the accident or injury to the employer. In

addition, the injured employee shall within ten (10) days after

the injury became apparent, file an injury report with the

employer and the division in a manner and containing information

prescribed by division rule and regulation. If the injured

employee is physically unable to comply, a personal

representative of the employee, his dependents or a personal

representative of the dependents in case of death shall,

following notification by the employer or department of

reporting requirements, make and file the report for the injured

employee.

(b) If an injured employee, any dependent or personal

representative makes a written report of the injury to the

employer or his representative, the employer shall acknowledge

receipt of the report in writing either upon the report or a

copy of the report.

personal representative to report the accident or injury to the

employer and to file the injury report in accordance with

subsection (a) of this section is a presumption that the claim

shall be denied. The presumption may be rebutted if the

employee establishes by clear and convincing evidence a lack of

prejudice to the employer or division in investigating the

injury and in monitoring medical treatment.

(d) The filing of an employee's injury report under this

section is a release of information for the duration of the

benefit period and upon request and upon notice to the employee,

any medical care provider, physician or hospital treating the

employee for the injury shall release medical records pertaining

to the injury to the division or the employer.

27-14-503. Statute of limitations.

(a) A payment for benefits involving an injury which is

the result of a single brief occurrence rather than occurring

over a substantial period of time shall not be made unless in

addition to the proper and timely filing of the injury reports,

an application or claim for benefits is filed within one (1)

year after the date the injury occurred or for injuries not

readily apparent, within one (1) year after discovery of the

injury by the employee. The injury report is not a claim for

benefits.

(b) The right of compensation for an injury which occurs

over a substantial period of time is barred unless a claim for

benefits is filed within one (1) year after a diagnosis of

injury is first communicated to the employee, or within three

(3) years from the date of last injurious workplace exposure to

the condition causing the injury, whichever occurs last,

excluding injury caused by ionizing radiation to which the three

(3) year limitation does not apply. If death results from

ionizing radiation within one (1) year after a diagnosis of the

medical condition is first communicated to the employee or if

death occurs without the communication of a diagnosis to the

employee, a claim shall be filed within one (1) year after the

date of death.

27-14-504. Amendment of employee's injury report.

An employee's injury report may be amended at any time before an

initial award is made in order that the employee may correctly

set out the nature of his injury. Any amendment may be approved,

disapproved or contested as if an original injury report.

27-14-505. Tolling of statute of limitations while persons

under disability.

If an injured employee is mentally incompetent or a minor, or

where death results from the injury and any of his dependents

are mentally incompetent or minors, at the time when any right

or privilege accrues under this act, no limitation of time

provided for in this act shall run so long as the mentally

incompetent or minor has no guardian.

27-14-506. Employer's injury report; penalty for failure

to report.

(a) When an injury is reported by any employee, the

employer shall file an employer's injury report with the

division within ten (10) days after the date on which the

employer is notified of the injury and he shall mail or deliver

a copy of the report to the employee. The employer's injury

report shall be certified and shall contain any information

provided by rules and regulations adopted by the director. The

employer shall state on the injury report that either the injury

is:

(i) Compensable and under the jurisdiction of this

act; or

(ii) Not compensable under this act and the reasons

therefor.

(b) Repealed by Laws 1996, ch. 82, § 2.

occurrences causing injury to any of his employees by an

employer is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than

seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), imprisonment for not more

than six (6) months, or both.

27-14-507. Employer required to post notice.

Each employer shall keep posted in a conspicuous place for

employees a notice which shall be furnished by the division and

which shall contain a brief summary of this act and procedures

for filing claims. Each employer shall also keep a copy of this

act and have it available for all employees.

27-14-508. Blank form supplied by director; instructions

to employees, employers and health care providers; training

programs for clerks of court.

(a) The director shall:

(i) Prepare, print and supply free of charge any

blank forms necessary in administering this act to be used

insofar as possible in all procedures under this act;

(ii) Prepare and print instructions for making

correct claims for the information and use of employees;

(iii) Repealed by Laws 1996, ch. 82, § 2.

(iv) Prepare and print instructions for proper claim

procedures for the information and use of health care providers

and providers of medical and hospital care;

(v) Prepare and print instructions for proper claim

procedures including approving or objecting to claims for the

information and use of employers.

(b) Repealed by Laws 1996, ch. 82, § 2.

27-14-509. Autopsy may be required; procedure.

Upon the filing of a claim for compensation for death for which

an autopsy is necessary to accurately and scientifically

ascertain and determine the cause of death, a hearing examiner

may order an autopsy. The hearing examiner may designate a

licensed physician who is a specialist in autopsies to perform

or attend the autopsy and to certify his findings. The autopsy

findings are a public record and shall be filed with the

division. The hearing examiner may exercise the authority on his

own motion or on an application made to him at any time by any

party in interest upon the presentation of facts showing that a

controversy may exist in regard to the cause of death or the

existence of any compensable injury. All proceedings for

compensation shall be suspended upon refusal of a claimant or

his representative to permit an autopsy when ordered and no

compensation shall be payable during the continuance of the

refusal.

27-14-510. Misrepresentations or false statements; failure

of employer to establish account or furnish payroll report.

(a) Any person who knowingly makes, authorizes or permits

any misrepresentation or false statement to be made for the

purpose of him or another person receiving payment of any kind

under this act is guilty of:

(i) A misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more

than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), imprisonment for not

more than six (6) months, or both, if the value of the payment

is less than five hundred dollars ($500.00);

(ii) A felony punishable by a fine of not more than

ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00), imprisonment for not more

than ten (10) years, or both, if the value of the payment is

five hundred dollars ($500.00) or more.

(b) Any employer who knowingly makes a false statement in

a payroll report or reports resulting in the avoidance of or

reduction in the employer's premium obligation within a one (1)

year period is guilty of:

(i) A misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more

than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), imprisonment for not

more than six (6) months, or both, if the avoided premium or

reduction in premium is less than five hundred dollars

($500.00); or

(ii) A felony punishable by a fine of not more than

ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00), imprisonment for not more

than ten (10) years, or both, if the avoided premium or

reduction in premium is five hundred dollars ($500.00) or more.

an injury report with the intention of denying a worker benefits

due under this act is guilty of:

(i) A misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more

than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), imprisonment for not

more than six (6) months, or both, if the value of the benefits

is less than five hundred dollars ($500.00);

(ii) A felony punishable by a fine of not more than

ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00), imprisonment for not more

than ten (10) years, or both, if the value of the benefits is

five hundred dollars ($500.00) or more.

(d) Any employer who knowingly fails to establish an

account or knowingly fails to furnish a payroll report as

required by this act is guilty of:

(i) A misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more

than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), imprisonment for not

more than six (6) months, or both, for a first conviction; or

(ii) A felony punishable by a fine of not more than

ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00), imprisonment for not more

than ten (10) years, or both, for a second or subsequent

conviction.

27-14-511. Recovery of benefits paid by mistake or fraud.

The attorney general may bring a civil action to recover the

value of any benefits or other monies paid under this act due to

mistake, misrepresentation or fraud. The attorney general shall

be entitled to recover the costs of suit and reasonable attorney

fees in cases of misrepresentation or fraud. Nothing in this

section shall prohibit a criminal prosecution where appropriate.

Any civil action for recovery of overpayment resulting from a

mistake by the division shall be commenced within one (1) year

after the alleged overpayment and shall be limited to recovery

of those mistaken payments made within twelve (12) months before

the commencement of the action.

ARTICLE 6 - CONTESTED CASES

27-14-601. Payment or denial of claim by division; notice;

objections; review and settlement of claims; filing fee;

preauthorization of hospitalization or surgery.

(a) Upon receipt, the division shall review the initial

injury reports to determine if the injury or death resulting

from injury is compensable and within the jurisdiction of this

act. No subsequent claim for compensation under this act shall

be approved if the division determines the injury or death is

not compensable and under the jurisdiction of this act or if the

employer states on his injury report that the injury is not

compensable, until a determination is rendered by the division.

The division shall provide notice of its determination to the

employee, employer and the claimant.

(b) Following review of each bill and claim for medical

and hospital care pursuant to W.S. 27-14-401(b), the division

may approve or deny payment of all or portions of the entire

amount claimed and shall:

(i) Notify the employee and the health care provider

in writing of any portion of a claim for which the employee may

be liable for payment;

(ii) Provide the health care provider with a detailed

monthly statement of respective claims and bills for services

rendered and the amount approved for payment;

(iii) Provide the employer with a detailed monthly

statement of all medical and hospital claims affecting his

experience rating.

(d) Upon receipt of a claim for impairment, disability or

death benefits filed under W.S. 27-14-403(g) or 27-14-501(e) and

(f) and if the initial injury or death resulting from injury is

determined compensable and within the jurisdiction of this act,

the division shall determine if the injured employee or his

dependents are eligible for benefits and shall approve or deny

the claim in accordance with this act. If a claim is approved,

the division shall determine the amount of the award for

compensation in accordance with W.S. 27-14-403 through 27-14-406

and 27-14-408, if applicable. The division shall provide notice

of any determination under this subsection to the employer,

employee and the claimant.

(e) In accordance with this act, the division shall by

rule and regulation establish necessary procedures for the

review and settlement of the compensability of an injury or

death resulting from injury and of claims filed under this act

through interviews with employees, employers and health care

personnel or through review of written reports. Nothing in this

act shall prohibit the employer or division from reaching a

settlement of up to two thousand five hundred dollars

($2,500.00) under this subsection in any one (1) case without an

admission of compensability or that the injury was work related.

(f) A health care provider receiving payment erroneously

under this act pursuant to a determination by the division

following review and settlement under subsection (e) of this

section or a decision by a hearing examiner is liable for

repayment to the worker's compensation account. Except in

contested cases, the division may deduct the amount liable from

future payments under this act limited to deduction of those

mistaken payments made for services provided within twelve (12)

months before the deduction. If necessary, the division may

recover repayment by civil action as provided in W.S. 27-14-511.

(g) No claim for benefits under this act shall be denied

based solely on the failure of the employer to have complied

with the requirements of this act.

(h) If any claim under W.S. 27-14-404 through 27-14-406

which has been approved and for which an employee is receiving

benefits is objected to by an employer, the employee shall be

notified by the division within one (1) working day of the

objection.

(j) Notice to any employee or his dependents under this

section of a final determination by the division denying the

compensability of an initial injury, a claim for medical or

hospital care for which the employee or his dependents may be

liable for payment or denying any impairment, disability or

death benefit, shall include reasons for denial and a statement

of the employee's or his dependents' rights to a hearing before

a hearing examiner as provided by this act and to legal

representation.

(k) Determinations by the division pursuant to this

section and W.S. 27-14-605 shall be in accordance with the

following:

(i) The initial review of entitlement to benefits

pursuant to subsections (a) and (e) of this section shall be

made by the division within fifteen (15) days after the date the

injury report or claim is filed. Following initial review, the

division shall issue a final determination or if a final

determination cannot be made based upon available information at

that time, the division may issue a request for additional

information as necessary;

(ii) Following issuance of a request for additional

information under paragraph (k)(i) of this section, the division

shall investigate the matter and issue its final determination

within forty-five (45) days after issuing the request;

(iii) Notice of a final determination issued by the

division under this subsection shall include a statement of

reasons and notice of the right to a hearing;

(iv) Any interested party may request a hearing

before a hearing examiner on the final determination of the

division by filing a written request for hearing with the

division within fifteen (15) days after the date the notice of

the final determination was mailed by the division. If the

division has not rendered a final determination within sixty

(60) days following the date the claim was filed, any interested

party may request a hearing before a hearing examiner in the

manner prescribed by this paragraph. The date a written request

for hearing is filed shall be determined pursuant to W.S.

16-4-301(a);

(v) Upon receipt of a request for hearing, the

division shall immediately provide notice of the request to the

appropriate hearing authority as determined pursuant to W.S.

27-14-616;

(vi) If timely written request for hearing is not

filed, the final determination by the division pursuant to this

subsection shall not be subject to further administrative or

judicial review, provided however that, in its own discretion,

the division may, whenever benefits have been denied to a

worker, make a redetermination within one (1) year after the

date of an original determination regardless of whether or not a

party has filed a timely appeal pursuant to paragraph (iv) of

this subsection.

(m) Repealed by Laws 1996, ch. 82, § 2.

(n) The division shall maintain a complete and current

file for every worker's compensation case filed with the

division in accordance with this act.

(o) The division pursuant to its rules and regulations may

issue a determination of preauthorization for an injured

worker's nonemergency hospitalization, surgery or other specific

medical care, subject to the following:

(i) The division's determination that the worker

suffered a compensable injury is final and not currently subject

to contested case or judicial review;

(ii) A claim for preauthorization is filed by a

health care provider on behalf of the injured worker;

(iii) The division's determination pursuant to this

subsection is issued in accordance with the procedures provided

in subsection (k) of this section;

(iv) Following a final determination to preauthorize,

the necessity of the hospitalization, surgery or specific

medical care shall not be subject to further review and

providers' bills shall be reviewed only for relatedness to the

preauthorized care and reasonableness in accord with the

division's fee schedules.

27-14-602. Contested cases generally.

(a) A hearing examiner designated by the office of

administrative hearings created by W.S. 9-2-2201 shall conduct

contested cases under this act in accordance with this section.

(b) Upon receipt of a request for hearing from the

division as provided in W.S. 27-14-601(k)(v), the case shall be

determined by a hearing examiner in accordance with the law in

effect at the time of the injury as a small claims hearing or as

a contested case hearing subject to the following:

(i) A request for hearing shall be conducted as a

small claims hearing if the amount at issue is less than two

thousand dollars ($2,000.00), is not an issue of the

compensability of the injury pursuant to W.S. 27-14-601(a) and

the division requests the hearing be held as a small claims

hearing. The division shall provide notice that it seeks a small

claims hearing under this paragraph in the notice of request for

hearing filed pursuant to W.S. 27-14-601(k)(v). If the division

provides such notice, the hearing shall be a small claims

hearing unless a party to the hearing objects within fifteen

(15) days from the date of the notice of request, in which case

the hearing officer shall review the file and determine if a

small claims hearing is appropriate or if a contested case

hearing is necessary or appropriate. Each party to the hearing

may within thirty (30) days from the date of notice of request,

submit to the hearing examiner any written evidence and argument

on the issue. The hearing officer may require either party to

provide such documents, filings and evidence as the hearing

officer deems relevant to the issue. Copies of the material

submitted to the hearing examiner shall be mailed or delivered

to all opposing parties. In addition, each party may submit

rebuttal evidence and argument to the hearing examiner within

forty-five (45) days following the date of notice of request for

hearing. Upon request of any party to the hearing and at the

discretion of the hearing officer, any proceeding under this

paragraph may be conducted in person or by telephone. The

hearing examiner shall review the case and written submissions

and render a written decision not more than seventy-five (75)

days following referral of the request for hearing. No attorney

fees or other costs shall be allowed by the hearing examiner on

behalf of or for any party to a hearing under this paragraph.

In addition, the attorney general's office shall not represent

or directly assist the division in the preparation for a hearing

under this paragraph;

(ii) All other requests for hearing not specified

under paragraph (b)(i) of this section shall be conducted as a

contested case in accordance with procedures of the Wyoming

Administrative Procedure Act and the Wyoming Rules of Civil

Procedure as applicable under rules of the office of

administrative hearings. The hearing examiner designated by the

office of administrative hearings shall render a decision in a

contested case within thirty (30) days after the close of the

record. If the contested case is heard by the hearing panel

created pursuant to W.S. 27-14-616(b)(iv), the panel shall

render a decision within forty-five (45) days after the close of

the record;

(iii) Appeals may be taken from the decision rendered

in any small claims hearing or contested case hearing by any

affected party to the district court as provided by the Wyoming

Administrative Procedure Act;

(iv) Hearings under this section shall be held at a

location mutually convenient to the parties, as determined by

the hearing officer. If the injury occurs at a location outside

Wyoming, the hearing shall be held in the county in which the

employer’s principal place of business is located, unless the

hearing officer determines a different location is more

convenient to the parties;

(v) Any hearing conducted pursuant to this section

involving multiple sites may be conducted through audio or video

conferencing at the discretion of the hearing officer or hearing

panel.

with the division shall be considered as pleadings in the case.

The attorney general's office shall represent the division in

all contested cases. The hearing examiner has exclusive

jurisdiction to make the final administrative determination of

the validity and amount of compensation payable under this act.

Except as otherwise specified in this subsection, all court

costs shall be paid from the worker's compensation account if

the judgment is in favor of the employer or the division. If

judgment is against the employer and the employer contested the

claim without being joined in the contest by the division, the

court costs shall be paid by the employer. When the employer or

division prevails, the court costs shall not affect the

employer's experience rating. If judgment is against a health

care provider, the court costs shall be paid by the health care

provider.

(d) Upon request, the hearing examiner may appoint an

attorney to represent the employee or claimants and may allow

the appointed attorney a reasonable fee for his services at the

conclusion of the proceeding. An appointed attorney shall be

paid according to the order of the hearing examiner either from

the worker's compensation account, from amounts awarded to the

employee or claimants or from the employer. In any contested

case where the issue is the compensability of an injury, a

prevailing employer's attorney fees shall also be paid according

to the order of the hearing examiner from the worker's

compensation account, not to affect the employer's experience

rating. An award of attorney's fees shall be for a reasonable

number of hours and shall not exceed the benefits at issue in

the contested case hearing. In all other cases if the employer

or division prevails, the attorney's fees allowed an employee's

attorney shall not affect the employer's experience rating.

Attorney fees allowed shall be at an hourly rate established by

the director of the office of administrative hearings and any

application for attorney's fees shall be supported by a verified

itemization of all services provided. No fee shall be awarded

in any case in which the hearing examiner determines the claim

or objection to be frivolous and without legal or factual

justification. If the division or a hearing examiner determines

that an injured worker's failure to meet any procedural deadline

in this act is through the fault of the worker's attorney, the

division shall reconsider its determination or a hearing

examiner shall order the contested case returned to the division

for redetermination of the contested issues as provided in W.S.

27-14-601(k).

(e) Except as otherwise provided within this subsection,

all documents filed with the division under subsection (c) of

this section may be maintained by the division on computer and

the hearing examiner or court may admit into evidence any

documents resident in the computer imaging file. If a genuine

issue as to the authenticity of the document is raised by a

party, by a hearing examiner or by the court, the hearing

examiner or court may, before admitting the document into

evidence, require the division to certify that the record is a

true and correct copy or transcript of records on file in the

division.

27-14-603. Burden of proof; required proof of

circumstances; coronary conditions; hernia.

(a) The burden of proof in contested cases involving

injuries which occur over a substantial period of time is on the

employee to prove by competent medical authority that his claim

arose out of and in the course of his employment and to prove by

a preponderance of evidence that:

(i) There is a direct causal connection between the

condition or circumstances under which the work is performed and

the injury;

(ii) The injury can be seen to have followed as a

natural incident of the work as a result of the employment;

(iii) The injury can fairly be traced to the

employment as a proximate cause;

(iv) The injury does not come from a hazard to which

employees would have been equally exposed outside of the

employment; and

(v) The injury is incidental to the character of the

business and not independent of the relation of employer and

employee.

(b) Benefits for employment-related coronary conditions

except those directly and solely caused by an injury, are not

payable unless the employee establishes by competent medical

authority that:

(i) There is a direct causal connection between the

condition under which the work was performed and the cardiac

condition; and

(ii) The causative exertion occurs during the actual

period of employment stress clearly unusual to or abnormal for

employees in that particular employment, irrespective of whether

the employment stress is unusual to or abnormal for the

individual employee; and

(iii) The acute symptoms of the cardiac condition are

clearly manifested not later than four (4) hours after the

alleged causative exertion.

compensation if he clearly proves that:

(i) The hernia is of recent origin;

(ii) Its appearance was accompanied by pain;

(iii) It was immediately preceded by some accidental

strain suffered in the course of the employment; and

(iv) It did not exist prior to the date of the

alleged injury.

(d) If an employee establishes his right to compensation

for a hernia as provided and elects not to be operated on, he

shall not be compensated for the results of future strangulation

of the hernia.

(e) In those proceedings in which the entitlement of an

employee to benefits for successive compensable injuries is

established but no single employer can be determined to be

chargeable for the injuries, the division shall apportion the

benefit charge in accordance with W.S. 27-14-201(d).

27-14-604. Examination by impartial health care provider;

costs; report by nonresident provider.

(a) In any contested proceeding, the hearing examiner may

appoint a duly qualified impartial health care provider to

examine the employee and give testimony. The fee for the service

shall be as ordered by the hearing examiner, with mileage

allowance as is allowed to other witnesses to be assessed as

costs and paid as other witness fees are paid. The employer or

employee may, at his own expense, also designate a qualified

health care provider who may be present at the examination of

the employee and give testimony at later hearings.

(b) If the employer and employee stipulate to an

examination of the employee by a nonresident, qualified health

care provider designated by the hearing examiner, and that the

report of the health care provider as to his examination shall

be admitted in evidence, the hearing examiner may order payment

of the reasonable cost and expense of the employee's attendance

upon the health care provider, the provider's fee for

examination of the employee and his report thereon. The fees and

costs shall be charged in the same manner as other costs and

witness fees. The nonresident health care provider shall report

in writing to the hearing examiner and include answers to

questions asked by the hearing examiner relative to the

employee's condition.

27-14-605. Application for modification of benefits; time

limitation; grounds; termination of case; exceptions.

(a) If a determination is made in favor of or on behalf of

an employee for any benefits under this act, an application may

be made to the division by any party within four (4) years from

the date of the last payment for additional benefits or for a

modification of the amount of benefits on the ground of increase

or decrease of incapacity due solely to the injury, or upon

grounds of mistake or fraud. The division may, upon the same

grounds and within the same time period, apply for modification

of medical and disability benefits to a hearing examiner or the

medical commission, as appropriate.

(b) Any right to benefits shall be terminated and is no

longer under the jurisdiction of this act if a claim for any

benefit is not filed with the division within the four (4) year

limitation prescribed under subsection (a) of this section.

terminated under subsection (b) of this section and barred under

W.S. 27-14-503(a) and (b) may be paid by the division if the

claimant:

(i) Submits medical reports to the division

substantiating his claim;

(ii) Proves by competent medical authority and to a

reasonable degree of medical certainty that the condition is

directly related to the original injury; and

(iii) Submits to an examination by a health care

provider selected by the division and results of the examination

validate his claim.

27-14-606. Determination and awards are administrative

determination as to all parties; notice and hearing

requirements.

Each determination or award within the meaning of this act is an

administrative determination of the rights of the employer, the

employee and the disposition of money within the worker's

compensation account as to all matters involved. No

determination shall be final without notice and opportunity for

hearing as required by this act.

27-14-607. Rights of director to defend against claim; no

waiver.

The director or his designee may for any reason appear before

the hearing examiner or in the district court and defend against

any claim and shall in all respects have the same rights of

defense as the employer. Failure to contest a claim does not

constitute waiver by the director of his right to participate in

further proceedings concerning the award where he does not

appear and defend at the original hearing or trial.

27-14-608. Attorney fees; penalty for violation.

(a) If the hearing examiner under W.S. 27-14-602(d) or the

district court or supreme court under W.S. 27-14-615 set a fee

for any person for representing a claimant under this act

excluding a health care provider, the person shall not receive

any additional fee from the claimant.

(b) Any person violating this section is guilty of a

misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not more than

seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), imprisonment in the

county jail for a term not to exceed six (6) months, or both.

27-14-609. Periodic review of temporary total award;

physical examination after temporary total award; purpose;

report to division.

(a) The division shall review every award for temporary

total disability under W.S. 27-14-404 at least once every six

(6) months. Upon request by the employer or division, an

employee awarded compensation for temporary total disability

shall submit to medical examination by a health care provider at

a place designated by the employer or division which is

reasonably convenient for the employee. The employee may have a

licensed health care provider present of his own selection at

his own expense.

(b) The results of the examination shall be reported to

the division. The division, without delay, shall forward copies

to the employer and employee. If after consideration of all

medical reports in the case the division determines that the

employee has recovered to the extent that temporary total

disability no longer applies and his earning ability is

substantially restored, compensation shall be discontinued in

accordance with W.S. 27-14-404 unless written objection is filed

by the employer or employee with the division within ten (10)

days from the date of notice.

examination, his right to monthly payments shall be suspended

until the examination has taken place. No compensation shall be

paid during the period of refusal.

27-14-610. Health care providers required to testify;

refusal; privilege inapplicable.

If directed under this act, any health care provider providing

professional attention to an employee may be required to testify

before the hearing examiner or any court, provide written

reports and attend depositions in a professional capacity. Any

health care provider refusing to comply with this section shall

forfeit any remuneration or award under this act for services

rendered or facilities provided the injured employee. The law

of privileged communication between health care provider and

patient shall not apply.

27-14-611. Administrative determination for compensation;

copies to employer and auditor; warrants for payment.

Any administrative determination for compensation to an injured

employee or his dependents shall be transmitted by the division

to the employer. The division shall transmit a certified copy

to the state auditor for filing. The certified copy is direction

to the state auditor to issue warrants for payment in accordance

with this act.

27-14-612. Appeal by employee; costs.

If an appeal to the district court is prosecuted on behalf of

the employee, the employee or attorney representing the employee

shall order a record of the proceedings at the hearing to be

supplied by the hearing examiner without cost to the employee.

An electronic recording of the proceedings may serve as the

official transcript but upon appeal, the district court may

request a written transcript of the proceedings or any portion

of the proceedings. The employee or attorney shall also order

the papers on file with the division to be prepared,

transcribed, certified and forwarded to the district court

without cost to the employee. Docket fees in the district court

shall be paid for directly out of the worker's compensation

account.

27-14-613. Appeal by employer; stay of award.

If an appeal is prosecuted on behalf of the employer, the record

of the proceedings at the original hearing shall be supplied

without cost to the employer. An electronic recording of the

proceedings may serve as the official transcript but upon

appeal, the district court may request a written transcript of

the proceedings or any portion of the proceedings. The employer

may employ counsel to conduct the appeal on his behalf. Upon

request and on appeal by an employer or the division from an

order of award, the hearing examiner may stay the payment of the

award or that portion appealed from upon any terms as the

hearing examiner deems proper.

27-14-614. Direct appeal by director from any order; stay

of execution; costs.

The director may appeal to the district court from any order or

judgment of the hearing examiner awarding compensation or

declining to award compensation although he was not a party to

the proceedings before the hearing examiner, without the

necessity of presenting any petition for reopening of a case to

the hearing examiner. After the appeal is perfected, the hearing

examiner may stay the execution of the order or judgment

appealed from without requiring any bond. The attorney general

or his assistant shall represent the director in all cases. All

the costs of the new hearings granted upon petition of the

director and all costs of appeals conducted by the director

shall be paid by the worker's compensation account except such

costs as the court in its discretion shall assess against any of

the other parties to the cause.

27-14-615. Appointment of attorneys for court proceedings;

fees.

The district court may appoint an attorney to represent the

employee during proceedings in the district court and appeal to

the supreme court. The district court may allow the attorney a

reasonable fee for his services at the conclusion of the

proceedings in district court and the supreme court may allow

for reasonable fees for services at the conclusion of the

proceedings in the supreme court. In any appeal where the issue

is the compensability of an injury, a prevailing employer's

attorney fees shall also be paid according to the order of the

district court or supreme court from the worker's compensation

account, not to affect the employer's experience rating. An

award of attorney's fees shall be for a reasonable number of

hours and shall not exceed the benefits at issue in the appeal.

In all other cases, if the employer or division prevails in the

district court or supreme court, as the case may be, the fees

allowed an employee's attorney shall not affect the employer's

experience rating.

27-14-616. Medical commission; hearing panels; creation;

membership; duties; rulemaking.

(a) The medical commission is created to consist of eleven

(11) health care providers appointed by the governor as follows:

(i) Seven (7) licensed physicians appointed from a

list of not less than fourteen (14) nominees submitted by the

Wyoming Medical Society;

(ii) Four (4) health care providers appointed from a

list of not less than eight (8) nominees developed and submitted

by appropriate health care provider groups selected by the

director.

(b) One (1) member shall be elected by commission members

as chairman and one (1) as vice-chairman. The division shall

designate an employee to serve as executive secretary of the

commission or contract with an individual to provide executive

secretary services to the commission. The governor may appoint

no more than eleven (11) additional health care providers as

associate members of the commission whose function is limited to

serving as members of individual medical hearing panels. Except

for initial members, the terms of commission members and

associate members shall be three (3) years. Three (3) members

of the initial commission and three (3) initial associate

members shall be appointed to a one (1) year term and four (4)

initial commission members and four (4) initial associate

members shall be appointed to a two (2) year term. The duties of

the commission shall be:

(i) To promulgate rules and regulations, with the

approval of the director of the department, declaring particular

medical, hospital or other health care procedures either

acceptable or not necessary in the treatment of injuries or

particular classes of injuries and therefore either compensable

or not compensable under this act or expanding or limiting the

compensability of such procedures under this act;

(ii) To promulgate rules and regulations, with the

approval of the director of the department, establishing

criteria for certification of temporary total disability by

health care providers and setting forth the types of injuries

for which particular health care providers may certify temporary

total disability pursuant to W.S. 27-14-404(g);

(iii) To advise the division, upon request, on the

usefulness of medical cost containment measures;

(iv) To furnish three (3) members of the commission

to serve as a medical hearing panel to hear cases referred for

hearing. The division shall refer medically contested cases to

the commission for hearing by a medical hearing panel. The

decision to refer a contested case to the office of

administrative hearings or a medical hearing panel established

under this section shall not be subject to further

administrative review. Following referral by the division, the

hearing examiner or medical hearing panel shall have

jurisdiction to hear and decide all issues related to the

written notice of objection filed pursuant to W.S. 27-14-601(k).

Different medical hearing panels with different membership may

be selected to hear different cases, but a panel may hear more

than one (1) case. Individual medical hearing panels shall be

selected by the executive secretary under the supervision and

guidance of the chairman of the medical commission. At least one

(1) member of each panel shall be a physician. One (1) member

shall be designated by the executive secretary to serve as

chairman of the panel. When hearing a medically contested case,

the panel shall serve as the hearing examiner and shall have

exclusive jurisdiction to make the final administrative

determination of the validity and amount of compensation payable

under this act. For cases referred to the medical commission as

small claims hearings under W.S. 27-14-602(b), the medical

hearing panel may consist of one (1) physician who shall serve

as the hearing examiner and shall have exclusive jurisdiction to

make the final administrative determination of the validity and

amount of compensation payable under this act; and

(v) To advise the division regarding any suspected

substandard or inappropriate medical or health care provided to

an injured worker by a health care provider or health care

facility;

(vi) To establish by rule and regulation procedures

for decisions pursuant to W.S. 27-15-102(h) and for rebuttals

pursuant to W.S. 27-15-103 and to adopt other rules as necessary

to implement W.S. 27-15-101 through 27-15-103.

panels and any health care provider providing peer reviews or

independent medical evaluations, reviews or opinions, when

serving shall be deemed public employees for purposes of the

Wyoming Governmental Claims Act, and shall be immune from

liability pursuant to W.S. 1-39-104.

(d) The division shall establish a fee schedule for the

compensation of members of the medical commission and medical

hearing panels for their professional services to be paid from

the worker's compensation account.

(e) Upon agreement of all parties to a case, the hearing

examiner in a contested case under this chapter may transfer a

medically contested case to a medical hearing panel or may seek

the advice of the medical commission on specified medical issues

in the contested case. The advice shall be in writing and shall

become part of the record of the case.

(f) Any member of the commission who knows or has

reasonable cause to believe or suspect that a health care

provider or health care facility has provided substandard or

inappropriate medical or health care shall immediately report it

to the appropriate professional or facility licensing authority

and to the division.

ARTICLE 7 - FISCAL PROVISIONS

27-14-701. Worker's compensation account established;

investments; administrative expenses; rehabilitation expenses;

worker's compensation claims payment account established for

worker's compensation revenue bond proceeds.

(a) Except as provided under subsection (f) of this

section, all money received, earned or collected pursuant to

this act shall be credited to the worker's compensation account.

In addition to other expenditures authorized under this act,

amounts deposited within this account shall be used to pay debt

service on revenue bonds issued in accordance with W.S.

27-14-704. As used in this act, "account" means the worker's

compensation account established under this subsection.

(b) All awards and claim determinations shall be paid from

the account provided by subsection (a) of this section.

act not immediately necessary for the purposes of this act shall

be invested by the state treasurer in the manner provided by law

for investment of permanent state funds. The state treasurer, in

consultation with the director and consistent with the

investment policy developed by the state loan and investment

board, may establish a percent not to exceed forty-five percent

(45%) of the total amount collected and accounted for under this

subsection to be invested in common stock.

(d) Following a general fund appropriation by the

legislature for administrative expenses of the division and for

administrative expenses of the office of administrative hearings

which are attributable to hearing services provided pursuant to

this act, amounts expended pursuant to the appropriations shall

be transferred monthly from the account provided by subsection

(a) of this section to the general fund as provided by the

Wyoming Funds Consolidation Act.

(e) The division shall from the worker's compensation

account, periodically advance or reimburse the division of

vocational rehabilitation of the department of workforce

services, for administrative and program costs associated with

the rehabilitation of injured workers pursuant to W.S.

27-14-408. Administrative or program costs reasonably available

or legally allowable under the federal Rehabilitation Act of

1973, as amended, shall not be advanced or reimbursed pursuant

to this subsection.

(f) Proceeds from the sale of revenue bonds issued under

W.S. 27-14-704, together with any earnings from the investment

of bond proceeds, shall be deposited into the worker's

compensation claims payment account until such bonds are paid or

provision for their payment has otherwise been made. Account

proceeds may be invested or reinvested by the state treasurer at

the direction of the state loan and investment board and may in

addition to payment of claims and awards, program and

administrative expenses, program reserves and debt service, be

used to pay any ongoing and issuance costs of revenue bonds

under W.S. 27-14-704.

(g) The state treasurer, in consultation with the

director, shall report to the joint appropriations interim

committee not later than December 1, 2016 and every five (5)

years thereafter, on the status of the worker's compensation

account and the projected status of the account during the

subsequent five (5) year period.

27-14-702. No garnishment, attachment or execution on

unpaid award.

Except as provided under W.S. 27-14-703, no money paid or

payable under this act prior to issuance and delivery of the

warrant therefor shall be assigned, charged or taken in

execution or by garnishment. Any such assignment, attachment,

garnishment or charge is void.

27-14-703. Disclosure of child support obligations

required; notification; amount withheld; payment; applicability

of provisions.

(a) An injured employee filing a claim for benefits

payable under this act shall disclose if he owes child support

obligations enforced pursuant to a plan described in 42 U.S.C. §

654 and approved under 42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq. If the employee

owes child support obligations and is awarded benefits, the

division shall notify the state or local child support

enforcement agency operating pursuant to a plan described in 42

U.S.C. § 654 and enforcing the obligation that the employee is

eligible for benefits.

(b) The division shall withhold from benefits payable to

an employee owing child support obligations:

(i) The amount specified by the employee to the

division to be withheld under this subsection;

(ii) The amount determined pursuant to an agreement

under 42 U.S.C. § 654(19)(B)(i) and submitted to the division by

the state or local child support enforcement agency; or

(iii) Any amount otherwise required to be withheld

from benefits payable under this act pursuant to legal process

defined under 42 U.S.C. § 662(e) and properly served upon the

division.

section shall be paid by the division to the appropriate state

or local child support enforcement agency, treated as if paid to

the employee as benefits under this act and as if paid by the

employee to the state or local child support enforcement agency

in satisfaction of his child support obligations.

(d) This section applies only if arrangements are made for

reimbursement by the state or local child support enforcement

agency for administrative costs incurred by the division

attributable to child support obligations enforced by the

agency.

27-14-704. Worker's compensation revenue bonds; department

determination; issuance by state loan and investment board;

bonding procedure, terms and conditions.

(a) The department may upon determining that the issuance

of revenue bonds would be financially beneficial to the worker's

compensation account and that bond issuance would not negatively

impact employer contribution rates to the account, request the

state loan and investment board to issue worker's compensation

revenue bonds to fund awards and claims, program and

administrative expenses and program reserves. Upon receipt of a

request under this subsection, the state loan and investment

board shall review the department's determination and if it

concurs with the determination, the board may issue worker's

compensation revenue bonds in one (1) or more series not to

exceed an aggregate amount of two hundred million dollars

($200,000,000.00). The net proceeds from the sale of the bonds

shall after payment of issuance costs, be deposited into the

worker's compensation claims payment account established under

W.S. 27-14-701(f).

(b) Revenue bonds issued pursuant to this section are

limited obligations payable solely from and secured by funds

deposited within the worker's compensation account as created

under W.S. 27-14-701(a) and the worker's compensation claims

payment account. The bondholders may not look to any general or

other fund for payment of the bonds except for revenues pledged

therefor. The revenue bonds shall not constitute an

indebtedness or a debt within the meaning of any constitutional

or statutory provision or limitation. The bonds shall not be

considered or held to be general obligations of the state but

shall constitute limited obligations of the state and the board

shall not pledge the state's full faith and credit for payment

of the bonds. Each series of bonds may be issued by the board

at public or private sale, in denominations and registered form,

with such provision for conversion or exchange, for establishing

interest rates or methods of determining rates on a variable or

fixed rate basis, for establishing maturities and redemption

provisions, as determined by the board. The bonds shall be

payable at the office of a fiscal agent designated by the board.

The state loan and investment board shall not issue any revenue

bonds under this section unless the sale results in an economic

benefit to the worker's compensation program as determined by

the board. In all other respects, the board may prescribe the

form and terms of the revenue bonds and shall do whatever is

lawful and necessary for their issuance and payment. Action

taken by the board under this section shall be approved by a

majority of its members.

ARTICLE 8 - ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

27-14-801. Duties of director.

(a) Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 63, § 3.

(b) Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 63, § 3.

(d) The director may provide for the investigation of

facts and circumstances regarding any claim filed under this

act. To carry out investigations, he may acquire the services

of one (1) or more physicians licensed to practice medicine in

this state to serve as medical consultants in investigating any

injury or death resulting from injury, the treatment of any

injury or death or the recovery of any employee which is

reported to the division. The physician shall be paid on a fee

for service basis from the worker's compensation account. The

director may also employ consultants to review medical and

hospital bills submitted to the division.

(e) The director shall:

(i) Repealed by Laws 1996, ch. 82, § 2.

(ii) Periodically provide for educational programs

for and consult with employee groups, employers, hospital

administrators and health care providers;

(iii) Report to the appropriate professional or

facility licensing authority any suspected substandard or

inappropriate medical or health care provided to an injured

worker by the provider or health care facility;

(iv) Provide information and guidance to employers

and employees as provided by W.S. 9-2-2602(b)(viii).

(f) Any duties designated by statute upon the director may

be performed by his designee.

27-14-802. Rulemaking power; fees; state's average wages;

vocational rehabilitation; contracts with clerks of district

court.

(a) The director may adopt rules and regulations for

administration of this act. The director shall by rule and

regulation establish criteria for qualification of resident and

nonresident employers, provide for advance payments of employer

premiums under W.S. 27-14-202(e), provide fee schedules for all

medical and hospital care rendered injured employees and for the

establishment of the state's average monthly wage. In addition,

the division may by rule and regulation establish a separate fee

schedule for surgical procedures and hospital admissions

preauthorized by the division. Changes in any rule or regulation

adopted under this subsection shall be considered only at

quarterly intervals.

(b) Before the last day of each quarter in each year, the

department shall estimate the average monthly and weekly wage

for the twelve (12) months preceding the quarter, based on

unemployment insurance commission information and other

available statistics.

rehabilitation within the department of workforce services,

shall jointly establish consistent rules and regulations for the

implementation of W.S. 27-14-408.

(d) The division may contract with the clerks of district

court on a county by county basis, for compensation mutually

agreed upon, to perform the following functions:

(i) Technical assistance to employers, employees,

health care providers and other interested parties in complying

with the requirements of this act and interacting with the

worker's compensation system;

(ii) Providing necessary forms to employers,

employees health care providers and other interested parties;

(iii) Responding to inquiries on the status of

particular cases;

(iv) Obtaining documents including confidential

documents, concerning individual cases and transmitting these

documents to authorized persons;

(v) Retention and storage of records prior to January

1, 1997; and

(vi) Any other administrative function useful in the

management of the worker's compensation program.

(e) Compensation negotiated pursuant to subsection (d) of

this section shall be paid from the worker's compensation

account and the agreement may be modified at any time by mutual

consent of the parties or may be terminated by either party

following notice specified in the agreement.

27-14-803. Investigatory powers; examination of employer's

records; subpoenas.

(a) In addition to W.S. 27-14-801(d) and if the

administrator has reason to believe that an employee, employer,

health care provider or any representative thereof has engaged

in any activity in violation of this act, he shall make an

investigation to determine if this act has been violated and, to

the extent necessary for this purpose, may conduct discovery

pursuant to the Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure.

(b) The administrator may examine the books, accounts,

payrolls or business operation of any employer to secure any

information necessary for any investigation conducted under this

section and for the administration of this act at any reasonable

time on twenty-four (24) hours notice but excluding Sundays and

holidays unless waived by the employer, either in person or

through any authorized inspector, agent or deputy.

section are located outside this state, the person being

investigated shall:

(i) Make them available to the administrator at a

convenient location within this state;

(ii) Pay the reasonable and necessary expenses for

the administrator or his representative to examine them at the

location at which maintained; or

(iii) Provide access to comparable officials of the

state in which the records are located for inspection as the

administrator may require.

(d) If the employer, employee, health care provider or any

representative thereof refuses to cooperate and assist discovery

by the administrator pursuant to this section, the attorney

general may, at the request of the administrator and upon

reasonable notice to all parties, apply to the district court

for a subpoena or for an order compelling compliance.

27-14-804. Statistical compilation; annual report and

projection; additional reporting requirements.

(a) The director shall:

(i) Secure and compile statistical information

concerning injuries occurring in employment, showing the number

of injuries or fatalities occurring in the employment and any

other information relevant to the proper operation or

administration of this law;

(ii) Report to the governor as provided by W.S.

9-2-1014;

(iii) Annually prepare and present to the governor

and the legislature projections of income, expenditures and

account balances for the succeeding twelve (12) month period;

(iv) Annually report to the legislature on

recommendations for improvement to the initial claims processing

and determination process and the effectiveness of the process.

(v) Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 63, § 3.

27-14-805. Confidentiality of information; unlawful

disclosure; exception.

(a) Except as otherwise provided by this act, information

obtained from any employer or covered employee pursuant to

reporting requirements under this act or investigations

conducted under W.S. 27-14-803 shall not be disclosed in a

manner which reveals the identity of the employer or employee

except to the employer, the employee, legal counsel for an

employer, legal counsel for an employee or in situations

necessary for the division to enforce any of the provisions of

this act. The confidentiality limitations of this section do not

apply to transfers of information between the divisions of the

department of workforce services so long as the transfer of

information is not restricted by federal law, rule or contract.

In addition, nothing in this section shall prohibit the division

from:

(i) Disclosing information obtained from employers

and employees under this act and any determination of benefit

rights to any state or federal agency as required under

regulation of the United States department of health and human

services and the state department of health, the United States

internal revenue service in administering federal tax laws and

to the office of the United States bankruptcy trustee;

(ii) Allowing access to information obtained pursuant

to the administration of this act to a law enforcement authority

of the federal government or this state, upon a written request

from that authority stating the information is necessary in

connection with a criminal investigation;

(iii) Allowing access by the state auditor to certain

information obtained under this act limited to name, address,

social security identification number and other general

information pertaining to benefit entitlements and employers;

(iv) Reporting to the appropriate professional or

facility licensing authority any suspected substandard or

inappropriate medical or health care provided to an injured

worker by a health care provider or health care facility.

(b) Any employee who discloses information outside of the

department in violation of federal or state law may be

terminated without progressive discipline.

other provision of law to the contrary, and for purposes of

ensuring any medical or disability benefit payment under this

act does not duplicate any benefit payment made by another state

agency, insurer, group health plan, third party administrator,

health maintenance organization or similar entity, the

department may upon request of the state agency, insurer or

similar entity, disclose information limited to a recipient's

name, social security number, amount of benefit payment, charge

for services, date of services and services rendered relating to

the benefit payment made under this act. A state agency,

insurer, group health plan, third party administrator, health

maintenance organization or similar entity shall, upon request

of the department, disclose the same limited information to the

department. Information received under this subsection shall be

used only for the purpose authorized by this subsection and

shall otherwise be confidential and the recipient entity shall

be subject to the confidentiality restrictions imposed by law

upon information received to the extent required of the

department. Any violation of this subsection is a misdemeanor

punishable by imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, a

fine of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), or

both.

(d) Prior to receipt of any benefit under this act, the

department shall require an injured employee covered under this

act to sign a waiver authorizing the release of information

limited to benefit payment information to state agencies,

insurers, group health plans, third party administrators, health

maintenance organizations or similar entities for purposes

specified by subsection (c) of this section.

27-14-806. Experience rating manipulation; penalties.

(a) A person who knowingly, or with deliberate ignorance

or reckless disregard of the true facts or the requirements of

this act, violates or attempts to violate the requirements of

W.S. 27-14-207 or any other provision of this act related to

determining the assignment of a premium rate, or who advises

another to violate the requirements of W.S. 27-14-207 or any

other provision of this act related to determining the

assignment of a premium rate, shall be subject to the following

penalties:

(i) A person who is an employer shall be assigned,

for the rate year during which the noncompliance or

misrepresentation occurred and for the following three (3) rate

years, the highest base rate within the industry classification

assigned during that year under the division's rate filing. If

the person's business is already at the highest rate for any

year, or if the amount of increase in the person's rate would be

less than two percent (2%) for that year, then a penalty rate of

two percent (2%) shall be imposed for that year. This penalty

may exceed the maximum assignable rate;

(ii) In addition to the penalty imposed pursuant to

paragraph (i) of this subsection, any violation or attempted

violation of W.S. 27-14-207 or any other provision of this act

related to determining the assignment of a premium rate may be

prosecuted as a felony punishable by a fine of not more than

fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00), imprisonment for not more

than five (5) years, or both.

ARTICLE 9 - FIREFIGHTER CANCER DETECTION AND PREVENTION

27-14-901. Short title.

This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Aaron Booker

Firefighter Cancer Screening Act."

27-14-902. Cancer screenings for firefighters;

requirements.

(a) As used in this section, "firefighter" means a person

who has been employed or has volunteered as a firefighter for

not less than ten (10) years and is classified as a firefighter

member as defined by W.S. 9-3-402(a)(xxv), a paid fireman as

defined by W.S. 15-5-201(a)(xi), an employee under W.S. 15-5-

402(a)(viii), the state fire marshal and their employees, a

volunteer fireman as defined by W.S. 15-5-201(a)(xiv), a

volunteer firefighter as defined by W.S. 35-9-616(a)(x) and any

person employed by a municipal corporation or private

organization who devotes the person's entire time of employment

to the provision of fire protection service for a city, town,

county or fire protection district.

(b) Firefighters shall be presumed to have been exposed to

cancer causing agents during the course and scope of their

employment. These exposures shall be considered work related

injuries for which cancer screenings shall be provided as a

workers' compensation award under the provisions of this act. No

other injury or award shall be presumed or required to be

provided pursuant to this subsection but this section shall not

prohibit the application of any other presumption or prohibit

qualification for any other award under the other provisions of

this act.

profession shall be provided cancer screenings which shall

consist of:

(i) Breast cancer screenings for firefighters, to

include mammograms at medically indicated intervals;

(ii) Colon cancer screenings, to include stool based

testing or colonoscopies at medically indicated intervals;

(iii) Prostate cancer screenings for male

firefighters, to include prostate specific antigen tests at

medically indicated intervals;

(iv) Routine screenings for any other cancers the

risk or occurrence of which the director of the national

institute for occupational safety and health has identified as

higher among firefighters than among the general public.

(d) The compensable workplace injury and cancer screenings

award provided by subsection (b) and (c) of this section shall

continue for not more than ten (10) years after the cessation of

employment of a firefighter.

(e) No workplace award of cancer screening benefits under

this section shall be included in the calculation of any

employer's experience rating but may be included in any base

rate setting procedures conducted by the division.

CHAPTER 15 - PRESUMPTIVE DISABILITY FOR CERTAIN DISEASES

27-15-101. Definitions.

(a) As used in this act:

(i) "Firefighter" means a paid fireman defined under

W.S. 15-5-201(a)(xi), a firefighter member under W.S.

9-3-402(a)(xxv), an employee under W.S. 15-5-402(a)(viii), a

volunteer fireman defined under W.S. 15-5-201(a)(xiv) and a

volunteer firefighter or firefighter defined under W.S.

35-9-616(a)(x). "Firefighter" also means an individual employed

by a municipal corporation or private organization who devotes

the individual's entire time of employment to the provision of

fire protection service for a city, town, county or fire

protection district;

(ii) "Listed disease" means any of the following:

(A) Cancer, lymphoma or leukemia that may be

caused by exposure to heat, smoke, radiation or a known or

suspected carcinogen as determined by the International Agency

for Research on Cancer;

(B) Cardiovascular disease;

(D) A disease, illness, health impairment or

disability determined on a case-by-case basis under

W.S. 27-15-102(h).

(iii) "Minimum period of employment" means:

(A) Employment as a firefighter for at least ten

(10) years; and

(B) For volunteer firefighters, an individual is

considered to have been employed for the minimum period of

employment if that individual while actively a volunteer

participates or participated in a minimum of forty percent (40%)

of the drills conducted by the individual's department and a

minimum of twenty-five percent (25%) of the emergency calls

received during the time the volunteer serves or served on call.

Volunteer firefighter departments shall keep individual records

that document the criteria in this subparagraph.

(iv) "This act" means W.S. 27-15-101 through

27-15-103.

27-15-102. Presumption of occupational disability;

applicability; exceptions.

(a) A firefighter who suffers from a listed disease is

presumed to have developed that listed disease during the course

and scope of employment. The listed disease is presumed to be an

occupational disease, the dominant cause of which is the

employment as a firefighter, unless the contrary is proven.

(b) A presumption established under this act applies to a

determination of whether a firefighter's injury, disease,

illness, health impairment, disability or death resulted from a

listed disease contracted in the course and scope of employment

for purposes of benefits or compensation provided under:

(i) Firefighter retirement and disability retirement

plans administered by the Wyoming retirement board under W.S.

9-3-401 through 9-3-431, 15-5-201 through 15-5-209, 15-5-401

through 15-5-422 and 35-9-616 through 35-9-628;

(ii) Workers' compensation benefits paid by or on

behalf of an employer to an employee under the provisions of

W.S. 27-14-101 through 27-14-902;

(iii) University of Wyoming and Wyoming community

college tuition and fees as provided under W.S. 21-16-1501(h)

and (j).

applies only to a firefighter who:

(i) Is employed for not less than the minimum period

of employment and seeks the presumption within:

(A) Ten (10) years after cessation of employment

for a listed disease as defined by W.S. 27-15-101(a)(ii)(A);

(B) One (1) year after cessation of employment

for a listed disease as defined by W.S. 27-15-101(a)(ii)(B) or

(C);

worker's compensation medical commission for a listed disease as

defined by W.S. 27-15-101(a)(ii)(D).

(ii) Has been exposed to the hazards involved in

firefighting during the minimum period of employment; and

(iii) On becoming employed or during employment as a

firefighter received a physical examination that failed to

reveal evidence of the listed disease for which the presumption

is sought.

(d) The presumption in subsection (a) of this section does

not apply:

(i) If the listed disease is known to be caused by

tobacco use and the firefighter:

(A) Is a regular user of tobacco for five (5) or

more years; or

(B) Was a regular user of tobacco for five (5)

or more years and it has been fewer than ten (10) years since

the firefighter gave up the use of tobacco products.

(ii) In a cause of action brought in a state or

federal court except for judicial review of a proceeding in

which there has been a grant or denial of employment-related

benefits or compensation.

(e) This act does not create a cause of action.

(f) This act does not enlarge or establish a right to any

benefit or compensation or eligibility for any benefit or

compensation.

(g) A firefighter who qualifies for a presumption

established under this act is entitled only to the benefits or

compensation to which the firefighter would otherwise be

entitled to receive at the time the claim for benefits or

compensation is filed.

(h) A presumption under this act is not limited to the

current listed diseases. A firefighter is not precluded from a

case-by-case demonstration before the Wyoming workers'

compensation medical commission that the dominant cause of the

firefighter's disease, illness, health impairment or disability

is or was employment as a firefighter.

(j) Paragraph (d)(i) of this section only prevents the

application of the presumption authorized by this chapter and

does not affect the right of a firefighter to provide proof,

without the use of the presumption, that an injury, disease,

illness, health impairment or disability occurred during the

course and scope of employment.

27-15-103. Presumption rebuttal.

A person opposed to the award of benefits or compensation listed

under W.S. 27-15-102(b) may rebut the presumption under this act

through a showing by a preponderance of the evidence that a risk

factor, accident, hazard or other cause not associated with the

firefighter's service was the dominant cause of the listed

disease.