Senate Bill 73 prevents individuals under the age of 18 from being prosecuted for committing an act of prostitution. It amends current law to explicitly state that a person under 18 cannot be charged under the statute defining this offense (944.30 (1m)). The bill also makes conforming changes to other statutes, removing requirements for DNA collection and certain expungement provisions that would otherwise apply to offenses under this section for minors. This legislation establishes a non-prosecutorial approach for minors involved in acts of prostitution.
Senate Bill 241 creates special provisions for "data center districts" within tax incremental financing (TIF) districts. It exempts a TIF district from a standard 12 percent limit requirement if all its project costs are dedicated to a qualified data center located within its boundaries. This aims to streamline the creation or amendment of TIF districts specifically for data center development. However, districts receiving this exemption cannot later amend their project plans to include costs unrelated to the data center, and their value increment will not count towards the 12 percent limit calculation for other TIF districts.
SB 155 requires owners of parking structures (like multi-level garages) to hire a licensed engineer for a structural safety inspection at least once every five years. Owners must submit inspection reports to their local government or the state department responsible for building reviews. Failure to comply results in monthly fines of $200 and potential closure of the parking structure after 12 months without an inspection. The bill directly affects commercial parking facility owners and aims to ensure ongoing structural safety through mandatory, regular checks.
SJR 57 designates the month of May as "Older Americans Month" in Wisconsin through a symbolic resolution. It recognizes Wisconsin's over 1.45 million residents aged 60+ (25% of the state's population) and honors their contributions, aligning with the federal Older Americans Act's focus on community-based services like Meals on Wheels and senior center programs. The resolution does not create new programs or alter funding - it solely serves as a formal acknowledgment to promote awareness of seniors' roles and encourage community engagement. This ceremonial measure affects no specific individuals or policies, instead emphasizing recognition of older adults' value to Wisconsin society.
AB 224 requires that referendum questions on ballots - whether for constitutional amendments or other measures - be written in plain, clear language. It prohibits wording that would force voters to cast a "negative vote" to approve a proposal or an "affirmative vote" to reject one. For constitutional amendment questions, the ballot must also specify if any part of the amendment is already in existing state law. This rule applies to all public votes on measures submitted to voters, aiming to make ballot initiatives easier for the public to understand. The bill directly affects voters and election officials who draft and administer referendum questions.
AB 159 creates a grant program to support rural creative economy development in Wisconsin. It provides competitive grants of up to $50,000 to eligible applicants - including rural cities, tribes, nonprofits, and economic development organizations - for projects like renovating public spaces, supporting public arts, and promoting local creative businesses. Applicants must secure matching funds from nonstate sources (with no more than 25% in-kind), and grants must directly benefit rural areas defined as populations under 10,000 or non-urbanized regions. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation must report on the program's effectiveness by May 2027.
AB 116 creates a new reimbursement program for county governments to cover transportation costs when moving minors into emergency detention for safety reasons. It directly affects counties handling youth detention, minors receiving medical assistance, and third-party transportation providers (like ambulances or contracted vendors) who transport minors. The bill requires counties to use the least restrictive transportation method possible (like non-law enforcement vendors when feasible) and establishes that state reimbursement through the Medical Assistance program will only occur if federal approval is secured. This is a procedural change to clarify funding mechanisms, not a policy shift on detention standards.
SB 212 requires ballot questions for referendums and constitutional amendments to be written in plain language and avoid misleading phrasing (e.g., requiring a "no" vote to approve a proposal). It mandates that questions clearly state whether any part of a constitutional amendment is already part of current law. This bill affects all future voter referendums in the state by standardizing ballot language to improve clarity for voters.
SB 173 creates a grant program administered by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to support rural creative economies. It provides competitive grants (max $50,000) to eligible applicants like small towns, counties, tribes, or nonprofits in rural areas (defined as towns under 10,000 people, non-urban areas, or counties under 55,000 people). Grants must fund tourism, public arts, space renovations, arts education, or business support for creative enterprises, requiring applicants to secure matching funds equal to the grant amount. The program requires an effectiveness report to the legislature by May 2027.
AB 114 allows licensed clinicians (such as psychologists, psychiatrists, or clinical social workers) in counties with fewer than 750,000 residents to initiate emergency detentions for minors who are mentally ill, drug-dependent, or developmentally disabled. Clinicians must complete county-approved training, document specific reasons (including why detention is the least restrictive option), and obtain county department approval before initiating detention. The county department must arrange transport to a treatment facility and file documentation with the court within 24 hours. This bill does not apply to large counties (750,000+ population) and replaces existing law for clinician-initiated detentions.
AB 112 allows minors aged 14 or older to consent to inpatient mental health treatment without parental or guardian approval, directly affecting these minors, their parents/guardians, and mental health facilities. The bill amends statutes to let minors 14+ sign treatment applications themselves, and if parents refuse consent or cannot be found, minors may petition a court for approval. Facilities must now inform minors and parents (if available) of their rights, including the right to an independent evaluation and court hearings. The law requires facilities to file court petitions within 3 days if a minor aged 14+ refuses to join a treatment application. This bill focuses on expanding minor autonomy in mental health care decisions while maintaining court oversight.
SB 107 allows minors aged 14 or older to consent to their own inpatient mental health treatment for mental illness or developmental disability without parental permission. It amends statutes to require minors 14+ to sign admission applications directly, with parents/guardians only needing to sign if the minor refuses. If a minor 14+ seeks treatment but parents refuse or cannot be found, the minor may petition a court for approval within 3 days. The bill also mandates facilities to inform minors and parents of their rights, including court review options, and sets a 5-day timeline for courts to decide on admission petitions. This directly affects minors 14+, their families, and mental health facilities.
