SB 1074 makes Wisconsin's additional child and dependent care tax credit fully refundable starting in 2026. For tax years beginning after December 31, 2025, taxpayers can claim the full credit amount against their state taxes, and if the credit exceeds their tax liability, the state will pay the difference directly. This affects Wisconsin residents who qualify for the federal child and dependent care tax credit and claim it on their state return, primarily low-to-moderate income families with childcare expenses. The bill creates a new state appropriation to fund these payments, ensuring the credit is refundable without interest on unused amounts.
SB 1013 requires all public and private schools, including charter schools, to maintain an on-site, easily accessible supply of opioid overdose reversal medication. Schools must ensure this supply is available at all times to address potential opioid overdoses on campus. The bill also appropriates $100,000 for fiscal year 2026-27 to fund grants helping schools purchase this medication, effective September 1, 2026.
SB 1018 creates a mandatory one-year prison sentence for anyone convicted of a felony committed with the intent to terrorize, intimidate, or coerce two or more people inside a church. It prohibits probation for these offenses and requires courts to obtain a special verdict confirming the intent to terrorize church occupants. Prosecutors cannot dismiss or amend related charges without court approval, and deferred prosecution programs are banned for such cases. This law directly affects defendants charged with church-targeted violent crimes, prosecutors handling these cases, and courts overseeing sentencing.
AB 1041 requires all Wisconsin public, private, and charter schools to integrate age-appropriate instruction about African American history into K-12 social studies curricula. It mandates the development of a state model curriculum covering African American contributions to U.S. and state history, with collaboration from organizations like the Wisconsin Black Historical Society. The bill funds three full-time education consultants ($384,900 annually) to support schools in implementing this curriculum. This policy directly affects all K-12 schools and educators, requiring concrete changes to social studies teaching standards starting with the 2026-27 school year.
This bill increases penalties for individuals convicted of felony crimes targeting church occupants with intent to terrorize or intimidate them. It mandates a minimum one-year prison sentence (with no probation allowed) for such offenses and requires prosecutors to seek court approval before dismissing or amending charges. Additionally, it prohibits deferred prosecution programs for these cases and directs courts to verify the specific intent element during trials. The law applies to any felony where the defendant intended to terrorize two or more people inside a church.
SB 1073 would establish requirements for hospitals, fire stations, emergency medical services stations, and law enforcement agencies that choose to install newborn infant safety devices (secure containers for surrendering newborns). Facilities must meet criteria like 24-hour staffing, having a 24/7 surveillance system to monitor the device, and placing interior access points in visible areas for staff. The bill also allows parents to call 911 to surrender a newborn and have an officer or EMS provider meet them, while requiring facilities to monitor devices continuously, check them twice daily, and test alarms weekly.
AB 1038 would allow private sector employees to deduct union dues specifically used for education or training from their state individual income tax. To qualify, the dues must be allocated for these purposes, and the employee's union must operate a training facility within the state. This deduction applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025. It directly affects union members in private-sector jobs whose dues support in-state training programs.
SB 1067 makes it a Class H felony to knowingly share a law enforcement officer's personally identifying information online with the intent to intimidate, harass, obstruct an investigation, or disrupt their duties. It directly affects all defined officers, including police, tribal officers, correctional staff, juvenile detention officers, and federal agents operating in the state. The law prohibits posting or disclosing personal details (like home addresses or phone numbers) on public internet sites or forums when done to harm officers or interfere with their work. This policy change specifically targets online sharing meant to threaten or disrupt law enforcement, with penalties for those who commit such acts.
SB 1072 modifies child support rules for children in foster care by automatically assigning future child support payments to the state when a child enters foster care. It directly affects parents of foster children, county human services departments, the Department of Children and Families, and juvenile courts. The bill requires county departments to refer cases to child support enforcement if parents earn above 400% of the federal poverty line or receive adoption assistance, triggering an assignment of the parent’s future wages and benefits to cover foster care costs. Key provisions update statutes to streamline this assignment process and clarify which court orders trigger the state’s right to collect payments. The bill aims to ensure foster care costs are covered without requiring separate court orders for each case.
SB 1065 requires all public and private elementary and secondary schools, as well as licensed child care centers, to install carbon monoxide detectors in rooms with fuel-burning appliances. Detectors must be battery-powered for older buildings or hardwired with fire alarm monitoring for newer buildings, and must meet safety certification standards. The bill also creates a $75,000 grant program to help schools purchase detectors, with grants up to $3,000 per school, and mandates annual reporting on grant usage. These requirements apply directly to schools and child care centers serving students or children, with the grants specifically targeting compliance costs.
AB 1040 requires all public and private school boards, including charter schools, to maintain an easily accessible on-site supply of opioid antagonists (medication used to reverse opioid overdoses) at every school they oversee. It creates a grant program funded by a $100,000 appropriation increase for fiscal year 2026-27, allowing schools to purchase these antidotes to comply with the new requirement. The law takes effect on September 1, 2026, directly affecting school administrators and staff responsible for implementing this safety measure. This bill focuses on making life-saving medication readily available in schools without specifying outcomes or advocating for policy positions.
SB 1071 requires election officials to verify a candidate's constitutional eligibility before placing their name on the ballot for federal office, such as president or vice president. The bill mandates that candidates must meet U.S. Constitution requirements (like age, citizenship, and residency) to be listed on ballots or have their votes counted by presidential electors. It directly affects candidates running for national office and election officials responsible for ballot preparation. The law creates new statutory requirements for verifying eligibility through nomination documents, candidate admission, or other conclusive evidence.
