Wyoming Legislature Joint 2023 Indian Child Welfare Act Task Force

The purpose of this meeting is to begin the Task Force's interim work. The Task Force will review other states' Indian child welfare laws and discuss potential changes to the Wyoming Indian Child Welfare Act, which was enacted during the 2023 General Session. Finally, the Task Force will review the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Haaland v. Brackeen, which upheld the federal Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978.

The meeting will be held in person in Riverton and remotely with a live video stream available on the Legislature's Website (www.wyoleg.gov). A limited number of participants can sign up to provide public comment virtually for a specified agenda item during the Committee's upcoming meeting. The total amount of time dedicated to virtual public comment is set by the Committee Chairmen per Management Council Policy. Please fill out the public comment form to ensure the Committee knows you intend to provide public comment virtually. Only those that fill out the form to provide public comments virtually and who are e-mailed the Zoom invite from the Legislative Service Office will be permitted into the Zoom meeting to testify.

Individuals who plan to provide materials to the Committee during the meeting should provide the materials in electronic format to Committee staff and provide sufficient hard copies for members of the Committee, Committee staff and interested members of the audience. Hard copies should be on three hole paper.

All materials provided to the Committee in written form will be part of the official record of the Committee’s meeting and will be on file at the Legislative Service Office.

Persons with disabilities requiring special accommodations to attend this meeting should contact the Legislative Service Office at: (307) 777-7881, or by e-mail at: lso@wyoleg.gov, for assistance.

Members of the Indian Child Welfare Act Task Force

Senators: Cale Case, Affie Ellis

Representatives: Forrest Chadwick, Lloyd Larsen

Additional members: Director (or designee) of Dept. of Family Services; 1 County or Prosecuting Attorney in Wyoming appointed by Governor; 1 Private Attorney who practices predominantly family law in Wyoming appointed by Governor; 2 appointed by Governor upon recommendation of the Eastern Shoshone Business Council; 2 appointed by Governor upon recommendation of the Northern Arapaho Business Council