SB 838 creates a state grant program providing $1.25 million biennially to fund support services for human trafficking victims. Nonprofit organizations (tax-exempt under IRS 501(c)(3)) must submit applications, provide 50% private matching funds, and coordinate with law enforcement to qualify. Grants are capped at $125,000 per biennium for organizations offering housing services or $50,000 for other support services like advocacy, medical care, or job training. The Department of Justice will administer the program, prioritizing applicants with strong law enforcement partnerships and capacity to serve many victims.
AB 819 allows health care providers to offer discounts of up to 15% for prompt payment of fees by individuals covered under disability insurance policies. It directly affects health care providers serving patients with such coverage and requires providers to: (1) post discount policies online, (2) limit discounts to avoid collection costs, and (3) not shift discount costs to other patients or advertise discounts publicly. The bill does not require providers to offer discounts but prohibits them from reducing coinsurance/deductibles under disability insurance terms, except for these structured prompt payment discounts. It also ensures discounts comply with federal law and do not override existing provider contracts with insurers.
SB 910 updates Wisconsin law to replace the term "advanced practice nurse prescriber" with "advanced practice registered nurse" across multiple statutes, including those governing healthcare provider roles and immunization programs. The bill also allocates $50,000 in grants to HealthNet of Rock County, Inc., a public health organization. Key changes affect how healthcare providers (like nurses and physicians) are referenced in legal definitions, ensuring terminology aligns with current professional standards. The legislation is categorized as "remedial" to correct outdated language without altering healthcare access or responsibilities. It takes effect September 1, 2026.
AB 921 establishes a $35 monthly cap on out-of-pocket costs for insulin under disability insurance policies and self-insured health plans. It directly affects people with diabetes who rely on these specific insurance types for insulin coverage. The bill prohibits insurers from charging more than $35 for a one-month supply of insulin, covering all cost-sharing elements like deductibles and copays. This policy change applies to existing coverage requirements without altering other insurance benefits or mandates. The bill is pending in the 2026 Wisconsin Legislature.
AB 989 creates annual grants of up to $50,000 per year to community health organizations serving economically disadvantaged minority groups. The bill requires recipients to provide 50% in matching funds (cash or in-kind) and prioritizes non-federally qualified health centers and providers offering maternal/child health services. These grants, funded from a specific state appropriation account, aim to improve health outcomes for underserved minority populations through direct community health programs. The legislation directly affects community health providers and minority-serving organizations eligible to apply for these state-funded grants.
AB 960 requires most social media platforms operating in the state to display a clear, prominent mental health warning each time a user in the state accesses the platform. The warning must inform users about potential negative mental health effects and provide access to crisis resources like the 988 suicide hotline. It applies to platforms defined as user-generated content services (excluding search engines, email, business communication tools, and streaming services), and prohibits hiding warnings in terms of service or allowing users to disable them without specific conditions. Violations may result in fines up to $5,000 per incident, enforced by state departments.
AB 847 creates a state grant program providing $1.6 million annually to counties and tribes for mental health diversion programs. These programs offer alternatives to prosecution and incarceration for low-to-medium risk individuals with mental illness who interact with the criminal justice system, including deferred prosecution and restorative justice services. Eligible programs must provide holistic treatment (mental health care, housing, employment support), avoid including violent offenders, and collaborate with courts, prosecutors, and mental health providers. Counties receiving grants must submit annual reports on program impact, including effects on jail populations and participant outcomes, and comply with state audits. The bill aims to reduce incarceration costs, improve public safety, and address mental health needs through evidence-based approaches.
AB 891 eliminates the "personal conviction" exemption from school immunization requirements in Wisconsin. It directly affects students attending public or private schools, child care centers, and nurseries, as well as their parents or guardians. The bill amends statutes (49.155 and 252.04) to restrict immunization waivers solely to health or religious reasons, removing the option for parents to cite personal beliefs as a justification. Schools must now inform families of this limited waiver process when notifying them about immunization requirements. This is a concrete policy change to narrow exemptions, not a procedural or commemorative measure.
SB 896 creates a state tax credit for small Wisconsin businesses that offer individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements (ICHRAs) to employees. The credit provides up to $400 per covered employee annually for businesses with 1-50 employees, provided they contribute at least $400 per employee toward the ICHRA. To qualify, the ICHRA must meet federal requirements for health reimbursement arrangements. The credit reduces the business’s state income tax liability and applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025. This directly affects small employers and their employees who accept the ICHRA as part of their health coverage.
AB 988 requires surgical facilities (like hospitals and ambulatory centers) to offer patients the option to have their surgical procedure recorded on video. The video must be continuous, include audio, show the time/date, cover the entire surgical suite from preparation through cleanup, and include preoperative discussions and discharge instructions if requested. Facilities must inform patients (or parents/guardians for minors, or authorized representatives for incapacitated patients) about this option, associated fees, and procedures before surgery. The bill does not mandate recording but gives patients a choice, with facilities required to comply if a surgical practitioner requests it and the patient consents.
