Bill Protects Rescuers From Being Sued In Wyo.

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — 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 Associated Press 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.