Governor Gordon Approves Wyoming Mental Health Reform Bill To Fund Jail Treatments And Reduce Hospital Backlogs

Governor Mark Gordon signed SF 10 to fund mental health treatments in Wyoming jails, aiming to cut a 5-month wait for state hospital beds.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 9, 2026, 8:26 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from WyoFile

New Statutory Authority for Mental Health Reimbursements

The Wyoming Department of Health and local detention centers have gained the authority to enter into financial contracts designed to address the systemic backlog of mentally ill inmates in county jails. Governor Mark Gordon officially signed Senate File 10 on Friday, describing the move as a critical first step toward fixing a fractured system. Under the new law, the state can now reimburse sheriffs for the costs associated with holding and treating individuals who are awaiting court ordered mental health evaluations or competency restoration services.

Addressing the Five Month State Hospital Wait

Law enforcement and health officials have long advocated for this legislative shift to relieve the financial and operational strain on Wyoming counties. Currently, inmates requiring specialized psychiatric care often wait approximately five months for an available bed at the Wyoming State Hospital in Evanston. By providing jails with the resources to initiate treatment and evaluations on site, the law seeks to reduce the time individuals spend in legal limbo without access to clinical stabilization.

Funding and Integrated Mental Health Initiatives

The implementation of Senate File 10 is backed by a $5 million allocation included in the state budget for the next two years. This funding is part of a broader push to modernize Wyoming's approach to mental health in the justice system. The initiative also includes telepsychiatry programs for law enforcement to assist during remote crisis interactions and pilot programs connecting low level misdemeanor defendants with community based treatment. Additionally, salary increases for state employees at psychiatric facilities are intended to improve recruitment and retention of health workers.