Wyo. Stat. § 9-2-2601 (2026)

responsibilities; agreements with other agencies authorized;
definition; merger with department of employment.

     (a) The department of workforce services is created. The
department is the authority for workforce services. The
department is the successor agency for public employment and
training services which previously existed under the department
of employment. The department shall perform all functions
previously performed by those programs.

     (b) The department may submit a plan for the state to the
appropriate federal agencies for work activities and programs as
authorized under section 102 of the act of congress approved
July 22, 2014 entitled "Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
Act", P.L. 113-128, 29 U.S.C. 3112 or subsequent similar
enactments.

     (c) The department shall adopt rules and regulations
pursuant to the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act to
implement requirements of the federal Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act or subsequent similar enactments. When adopting
such rules and regulations the department shall use language
which focuses on the importance of a person, rather than a
person's disability.
     (d) The department shall administer expenditures from the
workforce development training fund as provided in W.S.
9-2-2604. The department shall administer expenditures from the
Wyoming workforce development-priority economic sector
partnership subaccount within the economic diversification
account as provided in W.S. 9-2-2609 through 9-2-2611 and
9-12-1404.

     (e) The department is the designated agency for the state
under 29 U.S.C. § 49 et seq. and shall:

          (i) Comply with the requirements of and secure
benefits for the state under 29 U.S.C. § 49 et seq.;

          (ii) Establish and maintain public employment offices
throughout the state; and

          (iii)   Cooperate with federal agencies under 29 U.S.C.
§ 49 et seq.

     (f) The department may cooperate and enter into agreements
with the railroad retirement board, any other federal or state
agency or any private nonprofit organization for the provision
of public employment offices and services and may accept
contributions for this purpose.

     (g)   The department shall take appropriate steps to:

          (i) Reduce and prevent unemployment and provide
supportive services that are necessary to assist individuals to
take part in activities leading to self-sufficiency;

          (ii) Encourage and assist in the adoption of
practical methods of vocational training, retraining and
guidance;

          (iii) Investigate, recommend, advise and assist in
the establishment and operation of public works reserves by the
state and its political subdivisions to be used in times of
business depression and unemployment;

          (iv) Promote alternative reemployment of unemployed
workers throughout the state;

          (v) Conduct and publish results of investigations and
research studies;
           (vi) Assist the Wyoming workforce development council
and the state youth council in pursuing their missions and
goals; and

          (vii) Administer contracts pursuant to W.S. 9-2-2608
and 9-2-2609 through 9-2-2611.

     (h) In any civil action to enforce this act, the
department may be represented by the attorney general at the
request of the department.

     (j) As used in this article unless the context requires
otherwise, "department" means the department of workforce
services.

     (k) On or before July 1, 2011, the department of workforce
services shall include all divisions, programs and functions
previously assigned to the department of employment created by
W.S. 9-2-2002.