SB 325 establishes a three-year pilot program to test virtual reality (VR) technology in public school math and science education for grades 6-12. The bill requires the Department of Public Instruction to select one rural, one suburban, and one urban school district (based on student enrollment thresholds) to participate, with the VR program needing to meet specific criteria like alignment with state academic standards and proven effectiveness in improving Algebra 1 outcomes via third-party research. The program must serve at least 16,000 students across participating districts and provide 3,200 VR headsets, while also offering teacher training on using the technology for classroom instruction. The Department must report monthly to legislative education committees on the program’s progress. This pilot directly affects participating school districts, their middle and high school math teachers, and students in grades 6-12.
SB 324 prohibits mental health providers from offering conversion therapy to individuals under 18 years old. The bill defines conversion therapy as any attempt to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, while exempting counseling supporting gender transition, providing acceptance/support, or addressing unsafe behaviors without intent to change orientation/identity. Violations could result in disciplinary actions against providers, including license suspension or revocation by state licensing boards. The law applies to licensed psychologists, counselors, social workers, and other mental health professionals covered under state licensing statutes.
SB 357 establishes English as the official state language and requires all state agencies and local governments to conduct oral and written communications in English, with limited exceptions (e.g., health/safety, legal proceedings, or census work). The bill allows government entities to use AI or machine translation tools instead of hiring human interpreters for individuals with language barriers. It prohibits state or local governments from restricting people’s ability to learn or use any language for private, non-governmental purposes. The law applies to all state agencies, cities, counties, and school districts, but does not affect federal requirements or private business practices.
This bill allocates $2 million annually for two years to fund LGBTQIA+ rights training for school counselors and social workers in Wisconsin public schools. It requires school boards to provide department-approved training on LGBTQIA+ rights, defined as including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and other nonheterosexual or noncisgender identities. The training must be developed or approved by the state Department of Public Instruction. School counselors and social workers employed by participating school boards will directly receive this training through the grant program. The funding is tied to specific statutory provisions creating new grant categories under education budgets.
AB 336 would allocate $11 million annually for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years to fund additional mental and behavioral health services at the University of Wisconsin System. The bill specifically directs these funds toward improving student health services through enhanced staffing, training, prevention programs, and assessment tools. It directly affects all University of Wisconsin System campuses and their students by expanding access to mental health support. The funding mechanism is a direct state appropriation with no additional requirements for institutions.
SB 351 allocates $11 million annually for improved student mental and behavioral health services at the University of Wisconsin System. It directly affects UW System students by funding additional staffing, training, operations, assessment, and prevention programs in this area. The bill creates a new funding line (20.285(1)(cm)) in the state budget, specifying these funds must support mental and behavioral health services. The appropriation applies to the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years.
AB 174 amends energy statutes to redefine "renewable resources" for reporting purposes, explicitly including nuclear energy starting in 2026. It establishes new definitions for large-scale wind/solar systems (100+ megawatts) and battery storage, while clarifying that local governments cannot restrict energy installations more strictly than state rules. The bill affects energy developers, utilities, and local governments by changing how transmission contracts are audited and how renewable/nuclear projects are categorized. It does not create new project requirements but updates existing reporting frameworks for the state legislature and governor. The bill is pending in the Energy and Utilities Committee after being introduced in April 2025.
AB 335 creates a new $2 million annual appropriation to provide monthly stipends for school social worker interns. It directly affects interns enrolled in graduate programs leading to school social work licensure who are placed in public schools by school boards. The bill establishes that funds from the Public Instruction budget will cover these stipends starting in the 2026-27 school year. This is a concrete funding mechanism with no additional requirements or policy changes beyond the stipend payments.
AB 341 creates a $5 million annual grant program to help prospective school social workers cover education costs for licensure. It specifically targets individuals who are members of racial minority groups (including Black Americans, American Indians, Hispanic individuals, Asian/Pacific Islanders, or multiracial people) and are either school employees or enrolled in relevant graduate programs. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction will administer the grants and establish rules to implement the program. The bill allocates funding for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years, with implementation starting after the 2025 budget act is published.
AB 342 creates a $5 million annual grant program for school districts to hire mental health professionals who are members of racial minority groups. The bill defines "racial minority group" to include Black Americans, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Hispanic individuals, Asian/Pacific Islanders, and multiracial people. School districts receiving grants must use funds specifically to hire qualified professionals from these groups. The Department of Public Instruction will administer the program and establish rules for implementation, with funding allocated for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years.
AB 359 prohibits licensed mental health professionals from providing conversion therapy to individuals under 18 years old. The bill defines conversion therapy as any attempt to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, while explicitly excluding supportive counseling for gender transition, general acceptance, or safety-focused interventions. Violations could lead to disciplinary actions by licensing boards, including license suspension, revocation, or limitations on practice. This law directly affects minors under 18 and mental health professionals licensed under chapters 448, 455, or 457 of the statutes.
SB 380 eliminates three specific criminal defenses (adequate provocation, self-defense, and not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect) when a defendant claims the defense was based on the victim’s actual or perceived gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. Key provisions explicitly bar these defenses in cases involving romantic advances without force, past relationships, or disclosures of the victim’s identity. The bill directly affects criminal defendants who attempt to justify violence using prejudice against LGBTQ+ identities as a legal argument. It applies to offenses committed on or after the bill’s effective date, removing these defenses from Wisconsin’s criminal code without altering the underlying crimes.
