SB 889 creates legal immunity for individuals who assist someone experiencing a drug overdose and for the person receiving that assistance. Aiders (those seeking help during an overdose) cannot lose parole/probation or face prosecution for drug possession charges if they seek help "as soon as practicable" after recognizing the overdose. Aided persons (overdose victims) can avoid prosecution or parole revocation by completing a treatment program or accepting a deferred prosecution agreement that requires treatment. The bill directly affects people involved in overdose situations and shifts consequences from criminal penalties toward treatment for related drug offenses.
AB 833 creates a state grant program to fund nonprofit organizations providing support services to human trafficking victims. The bill appropriates $1.25 million biennially for grants to nonprofits that coordinate with law enforcement and provide at least 50% private matching funds. 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 and establish rules for grant distribution, prioritizing organizations with established law enforcement partnerships or capacity to serve large numbers of victims.
SB 897 defines specific threats against health care workers as criminal offenses. It makes it illegal to threaten a current or former health care provider, staff member, or their family member when the threat occurs in response to work at a health care facility or actions taken in an official capacity. The law specifies two key conditions: the threatener must know the victim works in health care, and the threat must relate to the victim's professional role. This bill uses existing statutory definitions for "health care facility" and "health care provider" to clarify when such threats violate the law, creating a new criminal penalty for these specific circumstances.
AB 889 establishes the Wisconsin Climate Corps program to create climate-focused job opportunities for workers aged 16-30, with at least 50% from underserved communities. The program funds projects like restoring natural lands, weatherizing homes for energy efficiency, and building community gardens, administered by a board overseeing contracts with nonprofit managers. Key requirements include paying workers $15/hour, providing housing stipends ($100/week), and gold-level health insurance. Sponsors (local governments, tribes, or nonprofits) must submit annual reports, and completed projects require permanent plaques identifying them as Wisconsin Climate Corps initiatives. The bill appropriates state funds for grants to approved projects under this framework.
AB 970 allocates $600,000 in state funding for two programs: (1) grants to six municipal emergency medical services programs (prioritizing two rural, two suburban, and two urban programs) to hire full-time community paramedics or practitioners, and (2) $200,000 annually for the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging to run statewide falls prevention initiatives. The bill creates a pilot program requiring grantees to report on cost savings and service impact within one year. It directly affects local EMS providers and aging services organizations by funding community-based health support. The funding is appropriated for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27, with a 12-month deadline for grant awards.
SB 914 modernizes Wisconsin's veterans' affairs laws by removing outdated provisions and updating key programs. It revises definitions (like "permanently and totally disabled veteran"), adds requirements for reporting on mental health services for PTSD, and clarifies rules for determining eligibility for veterans' assistance payments. The bill also creates a new "Council" to advise on veterans' programs, updates website requirements for information on depleted uranium exposure, and adjusts subsistence payment rules. These changes directly affect Wisconsin veterans accessing VA services and the Department of Veterans Affairs staff administering benefits.
SB 746 repeals a specific statute (252.03 (2j)) that currently grants local health officers the authority to mandate business closures during communicable disease outbreaks. This bill directly affects local health officials and businesses by removing their legal power to order closures for disease control. The key mechanism is simply the deletion of the existing provision from state law, eliminating this specific tool for public health responses. The bill does not create new requirements or exceptions - it solely removes an existing authority.
SB 747 creates a state grant program that matches counties' previous-year investments in healthcare and public health workforce development. Counties receive state funds to match their spending on recruiting, retaining, and supporting workers in healthcare, public health, child care, long-term care, and mental health services. The grant amount for each county cannot exceed $1.11 multiplied by its population. This policy directly affects all Wisconsin counties by providing financial support for local workforce initiatives in critical care sectors. The bill establishes a clear, per-capita funding limit to ensure predictable state spending.
SB 765 prohibits health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers from requiring step therapy protocols for certain cancer treatments. Specifically, it bans forcing patients to try less expensive drugs first before covering FDA-approved medications for metastatic cancer or related side effects (like severe treatment complications) that worsen health if untreated. The law applies only when the drug is consistent with medical best practices and supported by evidence-based research. This directly affects patients with advanced cancer and their insurers, ensuring faster access to prescribed treatments without unnecessary prior authorization hurdles.
SB 683 allocates state funds to cover refundable tax credits for long-term care insurance assessments. It directly affects Wisconsin residents who purchase qualifying long-term care insurance policies by enabling them to receive tax refunds for premiums paid. The bill specifies that funds from "Schedule A" will cover payments under several statutes (71.07, 71.28, 71.47, and 76.633) related to these credits. This is a fiscal appropriation bill, not a new policy, ensuring existing credit programs have dedicated funding. The measure requires legislative action to appropriate the funds but does not change eligibility or credit amounts.
