Wisconsin Bills | MyRepTracker

signed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 13, 2026

SB 920: Relating to: health care providers providing excused absences under the compulsory school attendance law.

SB 920 amends Wisconsin law to allow more health care providers to issue written excuses for student absences under the state's compulsory school attendance rules. It specifically permits licensed physicians, dentists, chiropractors, optometrists, psychologists, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, registered nurses, and Christian Science practitioners (listed in the Christian Science Journal) to provide these excuses. The written excuse must state the valid time period, which cannot exceed 30 days. This change directly affects students needing medical or mental health absences and school staff responsible for verifying attendance. The law takes effect on September 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 13, 2026

SB 692: Relating to: listing of carfentanil under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act and providing a penalty.

SB 692 would add carfentanil - a powerful opioid used in veterinary medicine but dangerous to humans - to Wisconsin's list of controlled substances under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. This change directly affects individuals who possess, distribute, or use carfentanil without authorization, subjecting them to existing penalties for controlled substance violations. The bill modifies the statute by renumbering the section that lists carfentanil as a Schedule I controlled substance, aligning it with other opioids. The measure is pending in the Senate Committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention, Children and Families after being introduced in December 2025.

signed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 13, 2026

SB 259: Relating to: the notice of an investigation of child abuse or neglect or unborn child abuse provided to appropriate authorities of the U.S. Department of Defense. (FE)

SB 259 modifies the timeline for notifying the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) when child abuse or neglect investigations involve military personnel or facilities. It replaces a strict "within 24 hours" requirement with a more flexible "as soon as practicable after" standard. This change directly affects child welfare agencies and DoD authorities who handle such cases. The bill does not alter the underlying investigation process but adjusts the notice deadline to allow for practical coordination between state and federal entities.

signed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 13, 2026

SB 620: Relating to: tracking a person who is registered as a sex offender but unable to provide an address.

SB 620 requires sex offenders on parole or extended supervision who cannot provide an address to notify the department within 24 hours of becoming unable to do so. It also mandates that the department use location tracking technology (passive positioning systems) for these individuals if they fail to provide an address as required under existing registration rules. The bill directly affects sex offenders subject to registration who lose the ability to provide a stable address. Key mechanisms include the 24-hour notification deadline and automatic departmental implementation of tracking when address information is unavailable. The policy change ensures continuous monitoring of this specific group to maintain public safety oversight.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 13, 2026

SB 537: Relating to: nonfunctional and counterfeit airbags and providing a penalty.

SB 537 prohibits the sale, installation, or distribution of nonfunctional airbags (deployed, faulty, or misleading replacements) and counterfeit airbags (unauthorized imitations of original parts). It defines these terms clearly and applies to dealers, mechanics, and sellers who must ensure airbags meet safety standards. Violations carry fines up to $5,000 or up to one year in jail, with felony charges for repeat offenses or cases causing injury or death. The law includes limited exemptions for police vehicles, dealers without knowledge of issues, and insurance-related vehicle transfers.

signed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 459: Relating to: admissibility of expert witness testimony.

SB 459 clarifies the standard courts must use to admit expert witness testimony in legal cases. It requires judges to determine, before testimony is presented, that it is "more likely than not" based on sufficient facts, reliable methods, and properly applied to the case details. This change directly affects courts, lawyers, and expert witnesses in civil and criminal trials by strengthening the judge's role in reviewing testimony quality. The bill does not create new laws but refines existing rules for evaluating expert evidence, applying to cases filed after its effective date.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 466: Relating to: age for the issuance of a Missing Child Alert.

SB 466 raises the age threshold for issuing a Missing Child Alert from under 10 to under 12 years. It directly affects minors aged 10 or 11 who go missing and are deemed unable to return home without assistance due to a disability or condition. The bill amends statute 175.51(1m)(a)2 to change the age requirement from "not attained the age of 10 years" to "not attained the age of 12 years." This adjustment ensures children in this age group qualify for alerts when their safety is at risk. The change applies to alerts issued when a minor's location is unknown and other alert criteria aren't met.

signed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 413: Relating to: immunity from prosecution for certain crimes based on assisting a victim of sexual assault, extending the time limit for prosecution of second-degree sexual assault, and the standard for terminating residential residency when tenant is the victim of sexual assault.

SB 413 provides legal immunity for individuals who assist sexual assault victims by calling 911, reporting the assault, or seeking help at a medical facility. It extends the statute of limitations for second-degree sexual assault prosecutions from 10 to 20 years for specific offenses under state law. The bill also allows tenants who are sexual assault victims to immediately terminate their lease by providing an injunction order, without liability for future rent, and requires landlords to change locks upon request. Additionally, it mandates 20-year storage of sexual assault kits to give victims more time to report incidents. These changes directly affect sexual assault victims, tenants in rental housing, and individuals seeking to assist victims without fear of drug-related charges.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing

signed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 439: Relating to: levy increase limit for the village of Oregon and the towns of Oregon and Rutland. (FE)

SB 439 authorizes annual state funding to three local governments in Oregon: the Village of Oregon ($172,400), the Town of Oregon ($51,100), and the Town of Rutland ($1,100) for the 2026-27 fiscal year. It creates a new process where the Department of Revenue must distribute these specific amounts by June 30 each year as "levy adjustment grants" under statute 73.50. These grants are designed to offset local tax levy increases, providing direct financial support to these communities. The bill passed unanimously in November 2025 and establishes a recurring funding mechanism for these municipalities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 673: Relating to: school board policies on appropriate communication with pupils. (FE)

SB 673 requires all Wisconsin school boards to adopt written policies by July 1, 2026, governing appropriate communication between school employees and volunteers (acting in their official capacity) and students. The policies must cover both in-school and outside-school communications, specify standards for content and communication methods, and outline consequences for violations. This applies to all public school districts and students attending home-based private educational programs. The bill does not define "appropriate" communication but mandates school boards establish their own clear standards and enforcement mechanisms.

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 6, 2026

AB 677: Relating to: creating a crime of grooming a child for sexual activity and providing a penalty.

AB 677 creates a new criminal offense for "grooming a child for sexual activity," defined as manipulating a child to facilitate sexual abuse. This law directly affects individuals convicted of such grooming behavior, adding it as a punishable offense under Wisconsin statutes like 948.02 (sexual exploitation of a child) and 948.072 (grooming). Key provisions amend multiple laws to include grooming as a disqualifying factor for home placements, licensing for childcare, and reporting requirements, while defining it as a "serious crime" for entities serving minors. The bill does not change existing penalties for actual sexual abuse but establishes grooming itself as a distinct criminal violation with specific legal consequences.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Wisconsin · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 339: Relating to: the weight limit for utility terrain vehicles.

This bill (SB 339) establishes a weight limit for utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) in the state, though the specific weight limit value is not provided in the available text. It sets an effective date of January 6, 2026 (or March 1, 2026, if published after January 7, 2026). The bill directly affects UTV owners, manufacturers, and local authorities responsible for enforcement. The context provided does not specify the exact weight limit, who is exempt, or the enforcement mechanisms, so a detailed summary of the policy changes cannot be completed. The bill passed the legislature on October 14, 2025, and was cosponsored by Representative Tranel.

Topics ✓ Transportation