Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 959: Relating to: requirements for the use of a memory care designation by community-based residential facilities. (FE)

SB 959 sets new requirements for community-based residential facilities that use the "memory care" designation in their name, advertising, or communications. It requires these facilities to serve residents with irreversible dementia (like Alzheimer’s) and provide staff with comprehensive dementia care training, including dementia basics, person-centered care strategies, communication techniques, non-drug behavioral interventions, and supporting independence. Facilities must complete initial training for administrators and resident care staff by July 1, 2027, and provide annual refresher training on these topics. Existing facilities using "memory care" before July 1, 2027, must comply with these rules by that date to continue the designation.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 1064: Relating to: carbon monoxide detection systems on motorboats and providing a penalty. (FE)

SB 1064 requires all new motorboats with enclosed sleeping/galley compartments (defined as "enclosed accommodation compartments") to have certified marine carbon monoxide detection systems installed before sale. It also mandates that cabin motorboat owners display a visible carbon monoxide warning sticker and ensures the state department provides free safety information and stickers during boat registration. Violating these requirements carries a $300 penalty for repeat offenses. The law applies to new boats sold, registered, or operated after its effective date.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 1021: Relating to: fall prevention and recovery training, CPR and first aid certification, a duty to provide aid in certain residential facilities, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 1021 requires adult family homes and residential care apartment complexes to implement specific safety measures. It mandates fall prevention and recovery training for all staff and residents within 30 days of move-in (unless medically certified otherwise), and requires facilities to maintain at least one certified CPR provider, one certified first aid provider, and one staff member trained in fall recovery and safe lifting techniques on-site at all times. The bill also establishes a duty for facilities to provide immediate CPR or first aid during medical emergencies (pending emergency services) and to attempt safe lifting of fallen, uninjured residents before calling for help. These requirements directly affect staff and residents in these residential care facilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 826: Relating to: vaccination of minors without parental consent. (FE)

SB 826 allows healthcare providers to vaccinate minors aged 16 or older without parental consent if the minor requests it. The bill requires providers to obtain the minor’s consent before billing insurance or other third parties for the vaccination. If the minor declines third-party billing, they are responsible for payment directly to the provider, following existing fee guidelines. This applies specifically to medically appropriate vaccines and affects minors aged 16+, healthcare providers, and third-party payers. The bill does not change parental rights for minors under 16.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 842: Relating to: violence prevention grants and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 842 creates a program to fund violence prevention initiatives using tax revenue from vapor products. It directs local health departments and tribal health centers to apply for grants to run violence prevention programs or award subgrants to community organizations, while explicitly prohibiting funds from going to law enforcement agencies or entities working with them. The bill appropriates $30,000 for administrative staffing in fiscal year 2025-26 and $120,000 for 2026-27 to manage the program, with grant applications due annually by June 30. This policy change directly affects local health entities and tribal health centers by providing dedicated funding streams for community-based violence prevention work.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 7, 2026

AB 916: Relating to: a home repair program and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 916 creates a state-funded home repair program to address habitability issues and improve energy efficiency in affordable housing. It provides grants of up to $25,000 per unit to eligible homeowners (income ≤100% of area median income who own or occupy their homes) and interest-free loans of up to $25,000 to eligible landlords (owning ≤5 properties/15 units of affordable housing). The program prioritizes repairs for homes with health/safety hazards, energy efficiency upgrades, and accessibility improvements for individuals with disabilities or young children. Properties must be between 10 and 40 years old to qualify, and funds are administered by the state authority or contracted counties/nonprofits with strict reporting requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Housing

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 7, 2026

AB 984: Relating to: requirements for the use of a memory care designation by community-based residential facilities. (FE)

AB 984 sets new standards for community-based residential facilities that use the "memory care" designation in their name, advertising, or communications. It requires these facilities to serve only individuals with irreversible dementia (like Alzheimer’s) and to provide mandatory staff training on dementia care. The training must cover dementia basics, person-centered care, communication techniques, non-drug behavioral interventions, and supporting residents’ independence - both for initial hiring and annually thereafter. These requirements take effect July 1, 2027, with existing facilities needing compliance by that date to continue using the designation.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 6, 2026

AB 1231: Relating to: the distribution of the Wisconsin Blue Book and highway maps. (FE)

This bill modifies how the Wisconsin Blue Book and highway maps are distributed to state legislators, changing from automatic distribution to a request-based system. Under the new rules, legislative offices must request copies of the Blue Book before printing, with each Senator allowed up to 600 copies and each Assembly Representative up to 350 copies. Highway service maps will be provided free of charge to each legislator and officer, with a limit of 50 copies per person, while folded highway maps will be distributed without charge to each legislator and officer with a limit of 500 copies per person. The bill also requires the department to contact legislators to determine their specific needs before distributing these documents, ensuring that distribution matches actual demand rather than being automatically sent to all members.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 6, 2026

AB 1044: Relating to: grants for patient lift devices and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 1044 creates a state grant program allocating $300,000 for the 2025-26 fiscal year to help adult family homes, community-based residential facilities, nursing homes, and residential care apartment complexes purchase patient lift devices. These devices must be state-approved, allow independent or staff-assisted operation, and mechanically lift a person. Facilities receiving grants must report usage data, with up to $100,000 of the appropriation reserved for collecting and analyzing this information.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

passed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 6, 2026

AB 910: Relating to: the amounts of fines and fees state agencies are authorized or required to impose by law. (FE)

AB 910 requires state agencies to adjust fines and fees for inflation every three years. Agencies must report current amounts, calculate inflation-adjusted values using the consumer price index, and recommend whether to increase, decrease, or maintain fees based on inflation. This applies to all state agencies collecting fees for services or penalties (like driver’s license fees or permit charges), affecting individuals who pay these fees. Agencies can spread increases over up to four years and must consider their service costs when recommending changes. The bill establishes a regular process to keep fee levels aligned with inflation, rather than allowing them to become outdated.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Wisconsin · Senate Apr 6, 2026

SB 822: Relating to: allowing discounts for prompt payment of health care fees.

SB 822 allows health care providers to offer discounts for prompt payment of fees to patients covered by disability insurance policies, while prohibiting them from reducing required coinsurance or deductibles under those policies. Key provisions require discounts to be no more than 15% of the fee, based on actual collection savings, and mandate providers to post their discount policy on their website. Providers cannot shift discount costs to other patients, include discounts in third-party payer agreements, or advertise the discount publicly (merely posting online is permitted). The bill directly affects health care providers, disability insurance patients, and insurers, with exceptions for undue financial hardship or federal law conflicts.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 6, 2026

AB 992: Relating to: requirements for proposed administrative rules that impose costs. (FE)

AB 992 revises cost thresholds for administrative rule reviews, lowering the trigger point from $10 million to $4 million in projected costs for businesses, local governments, and individuals over two years. It prohibits agencies from splitting a single rule into multiple rules to avoid this cost analysis requirement. Agencies must halt rulemaking if costs exceed the threshold unless they modify the rule to reduce costs, then re-evaluate. This directly affects state agencies creating regulations and entities bearing compliance costs.

Bill results