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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Governor Gordon Signs Human Heartbeat Act into Law
“Despite the upright moral intentions behind this Act, I remain troubled it does not provide the durable solution Wyoming needs.”
CHEYENNE, Wyo. - March 9, 2026 – Governor Mark Gordon (R-WY) today signed Enrolled Act No. 29 / House Bill 126, the Human Heartbeat Act, into law, reaffirming his commitment to protecting unborn life while raising concerns about the law’s durability under Wyoming’s current constitutional framework since State v. Johnson, the recent Wyoming Supreme Court decision that removed abortion restrictions.
In a signing letter to Speaker Chip Neiman, the Governor acknowledged the deeply held moral convictions, convictions he himself shares, that motivated the legislation, but cautioned that Wyoming continues to face significant legal uncertainty surrounding abortion policy.
“Life is sacred,” Governor Gordon said. “Despite the upright, moral intentions behind HEA 29, I believe this Act very likely puts us back in the all too familiar and unfortunate territory of pro-life litigation. It does not offer the durable solution I had hoped for, and it does not put the issue before the people of Wyoming from whom, according to Article 1 of our Wyoming Constitution, all governmental power derives.”
Governor Gordon has repeatedly emphasized the need for a long-lasting policy solution that will likely require either a constitutional amendment or a narrowly crafted legislative approach that addresses the Supreme Court’s interpretation. Governor Gordon has previously called on the Legislature to find solutions that both protect life and withstand constitutional scrutiny so that Wyoming can move beyond repeated cycles of litigation on the issue. While this Act did not achieve that solution, the Governor wished to reaffirm his strong defense of the unborn.
“I resoundingly share the determination to defend the lives of unborn children and support the intentions behind the Human Heartbeat Act,” Governor Gordon said. “Regrettably, this Act represents another well-intentioned but likely fragile legal effort with significant risk of ending in the courts rather than in lasting, durable policy. Rather than finding a remedy that saves the unborn, I fear we have only added another chapter to the sad saga of repeatedly trying to force a specific solution.”
For more information:
Amy Edmonds, Communications Director, [email protected]
Janelle Collins, Strategic Communications Director, [email protected]
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