SB 308 allocates $1 million in state funding to Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan to purchase and renovate an existing facility in Chippewa Falls. The grant will create a 50-bed treatment center specifically for men with substance use disorders who need recovery services. The bill directs the Department of Administration to award this grant in the 2025-26 fiscal year. It directly affects men in Chippewa Falls seeking substance use treatment by providing a dedicated facility. The key mechanism is the state grant covering facility acquisition and renovation costs.
SB 137 requires pharmacists to dispense lawfully prescribed contraceptives and other drugs without delay, unless specific exceptions apply. It defines "absolute contraindication" (a condition making a drug unsafe) and lists valid refusal reasons, such as prescription errors, drug incompatibility, or fraud. If a pharmacist refuses for religious or moral reasons, they must immediately transfer the prescription to another pharmacy without delay. The bill also prohibits pharmacy benefit managers from penalizing pharmacists for dispensing drugs for off-label uses under a valid prescription.
SB 245 establishes a two-year pilot program for school-centered mental health services at two selected schools (one rural, one urban) to support at-risk students and families. The bill requires participating schools to offer existing behavioral health resources and allow surveys/data sharing, while mandating providers to deliver year-round therapy, family coaching, classroom observations, and community resource connections. Funding from the Department of Health Services covers full-time therapist and family coach positions at these schools, with providers required to report on improvements in students' mental health symptoms, social needs, and academic/social-emotional growth. The pilot aims to evaluate how integrated school-based mental health services impact student well-being and academic outcomes before potential expansion.
SB 307 creates a new state grant program to fund crisis intervention services for people contacting the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline from within the state. The bill directs the state department to award grants to organizations providing crisis care coordination to individuals who call or text 988. These grants specifically support services for callers who are residents of the state, regardless of where they physically are when contacting the national hotline. The law defines "national crisis hotline" as 988 or its successor under federal law, ensuring state funding aligns with the existing national system.
SB 82 prohibits state and local governments from restricting the use or sale of motor vehicles based on their energy source (like gasoline, electric, or hydrogen power). It also bans similar restrictions on other devices that rely on specific energy sources for key functions. The law applies broadly to all government agencies and units, preventing them from enacting policies that target vehicles or devices solely by their power source. The only exception allows governments to maintain their own vehicle purchase policies for their own fleets.
SB 204 creates a 30% tax credit for video game companies in the state, allowing them to reduce their tax liability by 30% of wages paid for qualifying game development activities. The credit applies to wages paid for developing, producing, or creating video games (excluding gambling platforms, social media tools, political/religious content, or marketing sites) beginning in 2025. Companies can claim the credit against state taxes, with unused portions paid from a new appropriation fund. This directly affects video game developers operating within the state who meet the eligibility criteria.
SB 302 creates a performance-based grant program for regional probation and parole offices, rewarding them with funds when they improve employment rates for individuals on probation, parole, or extended supervision compared to a 2021-2024 baseline. The grant amount is calculated by multiplying the region's improvement in employment rates (for all three supervision categories) by the total number of individuals under supervision and $2,500, but only if the improvement is positive and the region did not experience increased revocations for new crimes. Regional offices must use the funds for employee bonuses, and the department will track and report annually on employment outcomes, recidivism, program changes, and potential cost savings from reduced incarceration.
SB 2 expands veterans' burial benefits to cover individuals who served in Laos supporting U.S. efforts during the Vietnam War. It directly affects eligible veterans (including those covered by the federal Hmong Veterans Naturalization Act of 2000) who previously did not qualify for national cemetery burial under existing rules. The bill adds a new provision (45.61 (2) (e)) to state law, linking eligibility for burial benefits to the federal naturalization act for these veterans. This change creates a concrete policy update to include a specific group of veterans in existing burial benefit programs. The bill is currently referred to the Senate Rules Committee for further consideration.
SB 306 requires the University of Wisconsin (UW) System Board to contract with a vendor providing virtual mental health services for students at UW institutions with 30,000 or fewer full-time undergraduate students (based on April 1 enrollment data). The services must complement existing campus mental health resources, extend support beyond regular hours, and include licensed providers with higher education experience. Vendors must have at least five years of experience in student mental health services and submit annual reports on student usage to the board and legislature. This bill directly affects eligible UW students and aims to expand access to virtual mental health support through a structured vendor partnership.
AB 297 creates performance grants for regional probation and parole offices based on improving employment rates for individuals on supervision (probation, parole, or extended supervision). Offices earn grants by increasing employment rates above a 2021-2024 baseline, with "eligible employment" defined as 130+ wage-earning hours monthly. Funds must be used for employee bonuses, and the department tracks outcomes like employment duration, recidivism rates, and cost savings tied to reduced incarceration. Offices are disqualified from grants if their region saw increased revocations for new crimes in the prior year. Annual reports will detail regional employment trends and program impacts for public transparency.
SB 257 requires manufacturers of electronic vaping devices sold in the state to certify annual compliance with new rules starting July 1, 2025. It creates a specific exemption for devices containing hemp (as defined by state law) without nicotine, which manufacturers must document via lab analysis. To comply, sellers must submit FDA marketing authorization proof, evidence of pending applications, or independent lab results confirming the device meets the hemp/nicotine exemption. This directly affects vaping device manufacturers and distributors operating in the state.
AJR 34 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Wisconsin's child support program on its 50th anniversary, specifically recognizing January 4, 2025 - the anniversary of the federal law that established the program. It highlights the program's impact, noting it served 341,000 children and collected $841 million in fiscal year 2023 while ranking third nationally in support collection. The resolution commends the work of county, state, and tribal child support agencies and their staff, who help enforce support orders, connect parents to services, and promote financial security for families. As a joint resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the program's role in reducing child poverty and supporting Wisconsin families.
