Wisconsin Bills

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1136: Relating to: prior authorization for treatment of severe misalignment or malocclusion of teeth under health insurance policies and plans.

This bill prohibits disability insurance policies and self-insured health plans from using the Salzmann Evaluation Index alone to deny coverage for treating severe misalignment or malocclusion of teeth. It directly affects dental coverage under various health insurance plans, including limited service organizations, preferred provider plans, and defined network plans. The legislation requires these plans to consider additional clinical factors beyond the Salzmann Index when making prior authorization decisions for orthodontic treatment. The bill applies to policies and plans starting with the 2026-2027 plan year, with additional provisions for collective bargaining agreements.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1153: Relating to: campaign contribution limits.

SB 1153 amends Wisconsin campaign finance laws to adjust contribution limits for various election candidates and political entities. The bill establishes specific dollar caps on how much individuals, political action committees, other organizations, and political parties can donate to candidates for state and local offices. Key provisions set maximum amounts ranging from $500 for state representatives to $86,000 for governor candidates, with different limits for judicial positions and local offices based on population. The legislation also modifies how contribution limits are calculated for local office candidates, using a formula based on jurisdiction population with a $2,500 maximum cap. This bill was introduced in March 2026 but failed to pass the Senate.

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1229: Relating to: prohibitions on nondisparagement clauses in employment contracts.

This bill prohibits employers from including clauses in employment contracts that require former employees to refrain from speaking negatively about their former employers after leaving the job. The law declares such nondisparagement provisions illegal, void, and unenforceable because they impose an unreasonable restraint on trade. Employers must also post a notice in conspicuous locations and on their websites informing current and former employees that these clauses are not legally binding. The restrictions apply to contracts entered into, extended, modified, or renewed on or after the bill's effective date.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1086: Relating to: restoring private individual authority to bring a qui tam claim against a person for making a false claim for medical assistance, actions by the attorney general against a person for making a false claim for medical assistance, and providing a penalty. (FE)

This bill restores the ability for private individuals to file qui tam lawsuits against those who knowingly submit false claims for medical assistance, such as Medicaid fraud. It establishes penalties requiring violators to pay three times the damages caused to the state, while also allowing for reduced penalties if the violator cooperates with the attorney general and reports the fraud promptly. The law outlines procedures for filing complaints, including a 60-day sealing period and the attorney general's option to intervene or take over the case, while also granting the state authority to settle cases with approval from the governor.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1127: Relating to: fertility treatment rights, reimbursement of fertility treatments under the Medical Assistance program, and requiring insurance coverage for fertility treatments. (FE)

This bill establishes legal rights for individuals to access fertility treatments, including egg and sperm preservation, artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, and related medications, while also protecting health care providers and insurance companies from interference when delivering these services. It creates a reimbursement mechanism for fertility treatments under the state's Medical Assistance program, though payment is contingent on federal approval or the absence of required federal waivers. The legislation defines fertility treatment broadly to include genetic testing, gamete donation, and other services aligned with American Society for Reproductive Medicine guidelines, and grants individuals rights to make decisions about their reproductive genetic material. Additionally, the bill provides legal recourse through civil actions for individuals, providers, or manufacturers whose rights are violated, with courts authorized to award equitable relief and litigation costs.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1094: Relating to: creating the penalty of death or life imprisonment for persons who are convicted of certain child sex offenses, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and providing a penalty. (FE)

This bill establishes the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole for individuals convicted of specific child sex offenses, including sexual abuse of a child and sexual exploitation of a child. It creates new statutory provisions that remove these offenders from eligibility for parole, work release, and extended supervision programs, ensuring they remain incarcerated for the duration of their sentences. The legislation also defines crimes punishable by death and adjusts sentencing guidelines for repeat offenders of serious violent crimes, while including administrative provisions for emergency rule procedures and controlled substance permits for executions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1091: Relating to: a premium assistance individual income tax credit and making an appropriation. (FE)

This bill establishes a state premium assistance tax credit for Wisconsin residents who pay monthly premiums for qualified health plans during the 2026 tax year. The credit allows eligible individuals to claim a refund equal to the federal premium assistance amount they would have qualified for between 2021 and 2025, but only if they are not already eligible for similar federal tax credits. The legislation applies only to full-year residents who file claims within the standard tax filing deadline and requires state funding to cover any credit amounts exceeding the taxpayer's tax liability.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1111: Relating to: penalties for certain offenses related to operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, restrictions related to ignition interlock devices, and providing a penalty. (FE)

This bill proposes stricter penalties for repeat drunk driving offenses by increasing license revocation periods and fines for individuals with two or more qualifying convictions within a 10-year window. It directly affects drivers convicted of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, particularly those with prior convictions, suspensions, or revocations that count toward the two-conviction threshold. The legislation establishes specific revocation durations ranging from one to two years, allows for occupational licenses after a waiting period if the driver completes required assessments and safety plans, and sets minimum fines between $350 and $1,100 with mandatory jail time of at least five days. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for tribal court revocations to align with state penalties and outlines conditions under which reduced jail sentences may apply if probation with treatment is successfully completed.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1200: Relating to: contributions by corporations, cooperative associations, labor organizations, and federally recognized American Indian Tribes.

This bill would allow corporations, cooperatives, labor organizations, and federally recognized American Indian Tribes to make contributions to segregated political funds, but only up to a total of $12,000 per calendar year. The law currently prohibits these entities from contributing to most political committees, with this change creating a specific exception for segregated funds. The bill does not permit these groups to contribute to independent expenditure committees or referendum committees. This provision would apply to both foreign and domestic corporations as well as the other specified organizations.

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1134: Relating to: criminal sentence adjustment due to sentencing.

This bill modifies Wisconsin's criminal sentencing laws to allow for adjustments when legal changes occur after a person is sentenced. It directly affects inmates currently serving prison time or on extended supervision by enabling courts to reduce their sentences if new laws would have resulted in shorter terms. The key mechanism allows courts to convert prison time to extended supervision or vice versa, with limits to ensure the adjusted sentence does not exceed what the offender could have received under the new laws at the time of sentencing. The bill also includes safeguards to prevent extended supervision from exceeding the maximum term allowed for the offense when the petition is filed.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1161: Relating to: ambulance staffing, late renewal and reinstatement of an emergency medical services practitioner license or emergency medical responder certificate, license and certification reciprocity standards for emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners, and a tax subtraction for stipends received by volunteer emergency responders. (FE)

This bill proposes changes to ambulance staffing rules, license renewal procedures, certification reciprocity standards, and tax benefits for volunteer emergency responders in Wisconsin. It would allow physicians, physician assistants, and registered nurses to practice their full scope of duties while staffing ambulances without departmental restrictions. The bill also simplifies the process for out-of-state emergency medical responders to obtain Wisconsin licenses by reducing documentation requirements and establishes clear pathways for late license renewal and reinstatement based on how long a license has been expired. Additionally, it creates a tax subtraction of up to $2,000 for stipends received by volunteer emergency responders based on calls or shifts worked.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1115: Relating to: minimum nurse staffing ratios in hospitals, registered nurses’ right to refuse a work assignment, prohibiting mandatory overtime for registered nurses, and providing a penalty.

This bill establishes minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios for various hospital units, such as limiting registered nurses to no more than four patients in emergency units or two patients in intensive care units. It requires hospitals to create and publicly post annual staffing plans that include input from nursing staff, maintain detailed records of actual staffing levels, and establish committees with a majority of frontline nurses to oversee staffing decisions. The legislation also grants registered nurses the right to refuse work assignments that violate these ratios and prohibits mandatory overtime for nurses. Hospitals that fail to comply with staffing requirements or submit plans by the deadline face financial penalties, including a $25,000 forfeiture for missing deadlines and daily fines for non-compliance with corrective action plans.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill results