AB 1007 amends the definition of "veteran at risk" in Wisconsin law to explicitly include active-duty members of the U.S. armed forces, National Guard, or military reserves who have service-related physical or mental health conditions. The bill clarifies that a person qualifies as "at risk" based on information provided in a report about such conditions. This change directly affects military service members and veterans who may be identified through the existing veterans at risk alert system. The amendment refines the eligibility criteria for the system without creating new programs or funding.
SB 976 allocates $600,000 for municipal emergency medical services programs to hire full-time community paramedics or practitioners, with preference for rural, suburban, and urban programs. It creates a pilot program funding up to seven municipal EMS programs (six initial grants, one potential additional) to expand community-based emergency care. Additionally, the bill adds $200,000 annually for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to fund statewide falls prevention awareness initiatives through the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging. These provisions directly affect municipal EMS programs seeking to hire staff and the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging, which will administer falls prevention efforts.
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 1082 allocates $2 million for a public health campaign to prevent youth tobacco and e-cigarette use, along with grants to local organizations providing youth vaping prevention and cessation services. The bill creates a new funding mechanism under the Department of Health, requiring annual reports to the legislature detailing grant recipients and purposes starting in 2027. It directly affects youth (by targeting prevention) and community organizations working on vaping issues (through grant funding). The key change is increasing the Department of Health's existing appropriation by $2 million for these specific public health efforts.
AB 1089 creates a state working group to improve coordination of the Medical Assistance program (state Medicaid) and enhance the experience for program recipients. The Department of Health Services must form this group by June 1, 2026, including representatives from the department, resource centers, multicounty consortia or tribal programs, legislators, healthcare providers, and at least one recipient. The group must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the department and legislature within seven months of its first meeting. This bill directly affects state program administration and recipients by requiring structured collaboration to address changes from recent federal 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.
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 974 creates a program to reimburse community paramedics and community emergency medical services practitioners (or their employers) for tuition and materials costs paid toward state-approved training programs required for licensure. It directly affects individuals seeking initial certification as community paramedics (under §256.205) or community EMS practitioners (under §256.21), and their employers who covered these costs. To qualify, applicants must complete approved training and receive department approval, with employers needing to verify their employees met these requirements. The reimbursement requires a formal application to the board using a prescribed form.
SB 1032 would create a sales and use tax exemption for over-the-counter drugs. The bill defines qualifying drugs as those with specific labeling, including a drug facts panel or a list of active ingredients. This exemption would remove sales tax from the purchase of these medications, directly affecting consumers buying common drugs like pain relievers or cold medicine and retailers selling them. The policy change applies only to drugs meeting the defined labeling requirements, not to prescription medications or other products.
SB 1066 prohibits health insurance companies (including disability insurance and self-insured plans) from using artificial intelligence to deny prior authorization for medical treatments or experimental procedures. Instead, the bill requires a licensed healthcare provider to review these requests before a denial can be issued. It directly affects insurers that currently use AI for these decisions and healthcare providers who seek approval for patient care. The law takes effect in the fourth month after publication, with specific transition rules for plans under collective bargaining agreements.
