AB 738 requires the decertification (removal of professional certification) of law enforcement, jail, juvenile detention, and tactical emergency medical services officers within 30 days for specific actions, including resigning to avoid termination for cause or violating training rules. It also mandates that officers terminated while under investigation for misconduct cannot be recertified without a waiver from a police commission or local governing body. The bill directs the licensing board to develop and update biennially model "best practices" use-of-force policies, emphasizing de-escalation, limiting force against vulnerable populations (like those with disabilities or mental health conditions), and requiring officers to use the least force necessary. This applies directly to certified officers in law enforcement, jail, and juvenile detention roles across the state.
AB 730 mandates that inmates in state correctional facilities and county jails must be allowed at least two in-person visiting periods per week, with limited exceptions for lockdowns (up to 10 days). It requires facilities to allow inmates to designate up to 25 visitors, permits physical embraces for 20 seconds at the start and end of visits, and provides visitors with paper and writing supplies upon request. Inmates may keep original artwork or notes created during visits using facility-provided materials. The bill directly affects incarcerated individuals and their visitors, while setting clear operational requirements for correctional departments and sheriffs.
AB 715 regulates "nonrecourse civil litigation advances," where companies provide cash to people with pending lawsuits in exchange for a share of settlement proceeds. It directly affects consumers (individuals with legal disputes) and companies offering these advances by setting strict limits: maximum $100,000 per advance, finance charges capped at the weekly prime rate plus 10%, and repayment must occur within 36 months. The bill requires clear contract disclosures (in bold, 12-point font) about costs, the right to cancel within 5 days, and prohibits companies from controlling lawsuits or paying referral fees to attorneys. Violations incur fines of $25-$5,000 per offense, with additional penalties for willful violations.
AB 705 modifies alcohol licensing laws to explicitly include "painting art studios" as eligible for retail alcohol licenses. The bill defines a painting art studio as an establishment primarily offering painting instruction where customers can also purchase food and beverages to consume while painting. It adds these studios to lists of businesses permitted to serve alcohol under existing license categories, such as in hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues. This change directly affects art studios that teach painting and serve food or drinks on-site, allowing them to legally sell alcohol during their regular hours. The bill does not alter alcohol sales hours or create new licensing requirements for these businesses.
AB 740 limits solitary confinement to a maximum of 10 days per instance and requires a 60-day waiting period between solitary periods for inmates in state prisons and county jails. It mandates that prison and jail staff provide inmates in solitary with specific items (like books, hygiene products, and paper), access to prenatal care for pregnant individuals, three weekly 25-minute video visitation sessions, and at least 15 hours per week of structured programming - including in-person visits from case managers and department staff (like health or education). The bill directly affects all inmates placed in solitary confinement under current rules, ensuring minimum standards for their well-being during confinement. The legislation is pending in the Corrections Committee after being introduced on December 3, 2025.
AB 727 requires state prison leaders and county jail officials to provide inmates with 3 hours of outdoor access weekly, starting after specific waiting periods. For state prisons, this applies to most inmates after 91 days (except those in certain facilities under Section 302.01(1)(i)), while county jails must provide access after 31 days. Exceptions include inmates in lockdowns or solitary confinement. The law takes effect for the Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility on January 1, 2028, with broader implementation following. This policy directly affects incarcerated individuals in state and county correctional facilities across the state.
AB 743 adds post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosed from military service as a potential mitigating factor in sentencing for veterans convicted of crimes. It specifically applies to veterans (defined as those who served in U.S. armed forces) who have a documented PTSD diagnosis linked to their military service. Courts may now consider this PTSD diagnosis when determining sentences, potentially leading to reduced penalties. The bill takes effect for offenses committed after it becomes law.
AB 717 is a procedural bill that renumbers an existing statute section (changing 961.16 (3) (cm) to 961.14 (2) (nd) 9g) within the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. It does not create new penalties or list carfentanil as a controlled substance; it only adjusts the statutory reference for administrative clarity. This bill directly affects the legal code structure but does not change any existing penalties or substance classifications. The summary is limited to the procedural renumbering, as no substantive policy changes are described in the bill text.
SB 730 requires law enforcement, jail, juvenile detention, and tactical EMS officers to be decertified within 30 days if they resign to avoid termination, are terminated for just cause, or violate board rules regarding training or conduct. It also mandates decertification for officers terminated while under investigation for misconduct, barring future certification without a waiver. The bill creates a new requirement for the board to develop and update best practices for use-of-force policies, specifically addressing interactions with vulnerable populations like those with mental health conditions, disabilities, or limited English proficiency. These changes apply to all affected officers and agencies, with the decertification rules taking effect upon the bill's enactment.
SB 703 requires health insurers, administrators, and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to provide large employer plan sponsors (those covering 50+ employees) with full access to their health claims data. Plan sponsors own this data and can request specific details - like itemized billing for high-cost claims ($25,000+ medical, $10,000+ pharmacy), payment histories, pharmacy rebates, and administrative fees - within 7 business days of a written request. Insurers and PBMs must deliver this data electronically in usable formats, and cannot sell the data without the plan sponsor’s and individual’s permission. The bill directly affects large employers managing health benefits and the companies providing those benefits, ensuring transparency in how claims data is handled and shared.
SB 718 would provide free admission to Wisconsin state parks for veterans and gold star families. Specifically, it allows free entry for vehicles (excluding motor buses) occupied by individuals who can verify their status as a veteran (per federal law) or as a family member of a service member who died in action (a "gold star" family). The bill creates a new statute requiring parks to honor this exemption upon presentation of valid proof. It directly affects veterans, their families, and state park operations by adding this specific access benefit. The policy change is limited to admission fees, not other park services or costs.
AB 714 requires health insurers, administrators, and pharmacy benefit managers to provide large employers (those with 50+ employees) full access to their health claims data. The bill states that employers (as "plan sponsors") own this data, including detailed records of high-cost claims (exceeding $25,000 for medical, $10,000 for pharmacy), billing statements, payment histories, and rebate information. Insurers and pharmacy managers must deliver this data within 7 business days of a written request, in electronic format, and cannot sell the data without employer and individual permission. The law aims to give employers greater transparency into their health plan costs and administration.
