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Bill protects rescuers from being sued in Wyoming
AP
Grand Teton National Park rescue rangers move Laura Mason, of Royal Oak, Mich., over boulders and loose rock before getting her onto snow to lower her to a landing zone in the upper meadows of Garnet Canyon in this undated photo from 2011. Mason was the 27th major rescue in the park that season. A bill proposed by Wyoming State Rep. Keith Gingery would authorize county sheriff's departments, who coordinate many rescues, to charge victims for costs incurred during search and rescue efforts. (AP Photo/Grand Teton National Park)
Posted 12/12/12
JACKSON, Wyo. — A Jackson lawmaker is sponsoring a bill that would make it nearly impossible to sue search and rescue volunteers individually in Wyoming.
Rep. Keith Gingery recently filed House Bill 35, which would add search and rescue workers to the list of nonprofit volunteers who are exempt from being named personally in civil lawsuits.
The Republican tells the Jackson Hole News & Guide (http://bit.ly/SOjXG7) that current state law makes it way too easy to go after volunteers now.
Existing laws put search and rescue volunteers on the same level as sheriff's deputies. Volunteers typically work under the supervision of the sheriff.
But Gingery said there should be a distinction between search and rescue volunteers and sheriff's deputies.
The 2013 legislative session convenes Jan. 8.
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Information from: Jackson Hole (Wyo.) News And Guide, http://www.jhnewsandguide.com