Relating to: discrimination based on arrest record under the fair employment law.
This bill amends Wisconsin's fair employment law to prevent employers and licensing agencies from refusing employment or licenses solely because an applicant has a pending criminal charge. It allows such refusal only if the pending charge is substantially related to the specific job or licensed activity (e.g., refusing a security position for a theft charge). The law explicitly prohibits discrimination based on arrest record alone, requiring a direct job-related connection before denying employment or licensing. This directly affects job seekers and licensed professionals facing pending criminal charges who may have been automatically disqualified under previous rules. The change clarifies that pending charges cannot be the sole basis for denial without demonstrating relevance to the position.
Bill status
vetoed
4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Sep 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
Assembly Passage
Feb 2026
Vetoed
Mar 2026
Introduced Sep 29, 2025
Vetoed Mar 27, 2026
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What changed between versions
Bill Text
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Text as Enrolled
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1 edit
MINOR
This bill removes the requirement that pending charges against an individual must be criminal in nature for an employer or licensing agency to consider them when making hiring or licensing decisions. Previously, the law only allowed discrimination based on pending criminal charges; now, agencies can also consider pending non-criminal charges if those charges are substantially related to the specific job or licensed activity.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of allowable considerations for employers and licensing agencies from only pending criminal charges to include pending non-criminal charges as well, provided the charges are relevant to the specific role.
ELIGIBILITY
Changed the definition of 'pending charge' in the exceptions to arrest record discrimination to include non-criminal offenses, not just criminal ones.
Floor votes · Assembly Feb 19, 2026
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
27
Key actions
3
Committee
2
Mar 27, 2026
Vetoed
Report vetoed by the Governor on 3-27-2026
upper
Feb 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 54, Noes 41
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Committee
Referred to committee on Rules
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read a third time and passed, Ayes 18, Noes 15
upper
Jan 16, 2026
Upper · Passed
Report passage recommended by Committee on Government Operations, Labor and Economic Development, Ayes 3, Noes 2
upper
Sep 29, 2025
Introduced
Introduced by Senators Wanggaard and Nass;
cosponsored by Representatives Duchow, Behnke, Green, Kitchens, Knodl, Murphy, Penterman, Piwowarczyk and Stubbs
upper
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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