Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 272: Relating to: eligibility for Family Care for individuals who are deaf-blind. (FE)

AB 272 amends eligibility rules for Wisconsin's Family Care program to automatically include individuals who are deaf-blind, as defined under federal law (29 U.S.C. § 1905). This change directly affects deaf-blind residents seeking Family Care services, removing the need for separate care-level assessments for this group. The bill establishes that deaf-blind status alone satisfies the "functional eligibility" requirement under existing statute. It does not alter other eligibility criteria or funding mechanisms for the program. The bill was introduced in May 2025 and referred to the Health, Aging and Long-Term Care committee.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAutomatically includes deaf-blind individuals in Family Care program, removing barriers to healthcare access without altering other criteria, expanding eligibility for health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 197: Relating to: a levy limit exemption for regional emergency medical systems and eligibility for the expenditure restraint incentive program. (FE)

AB 197 creates a new exemption allowing local governments (like counties or municipalities) to count certain regional emergency medical services costs toward their budget limits without triggering spending restrictions. To qualify, the service must cover at least 232 square miles or include 8 municipalities, and annual cost increases must stay below the inflation rate plus 5%. The exemption requires confirmation of a regional service area and a designated coordination entity for EMS across the area. This specifically affects jurisdictions operating joint emergency medical services districts or intergovernmental agreements for EMS, including fire department-provided services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts regional EMS costs from budget limits, enabling continued funding for essential emergency services without triggering spending restrictions.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts regional EMS costs from budget limits, enabling sustained funding for emergency medical services without spending restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Tags Public Safety

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 534: Relating to: regulating medical cannabis, the prescription drug monitoring program, and providing a penalty. (FE)

SB 534 creates an Office of Medical Cannabis Regulation within the Department of Health Services to oversee medical cannabis programs. It defines "medical cannabis product" consistently across statutes and prohibits courts from considering lawful medical cannabis use or registry status when making child custody decisions, except in cases where a child accesses the products. The bill also amends provisions related to prescription drug monitoring and clarifies that local ordinances cannot prosecute for marijuana possession under specific conditions. These changes primarily affect patients using medical cannabis, courts handling custody cases, and state agencies managing cannabis and drug monitoring programs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates Health Department office for medical cannabis regulation and prohibits courts from penalizing lawful use in custody cases, advancing patient access and rights within healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 252: Relating to: independence accounts. (FE)

SB 252 amends eligibility rules for state benefit programs by excluding up to $40,000 in inherited assets when calculating an individual's total assets. It directly affects people applying for or receiving state benefits (like Medicaid or food assistance) who inherit assets, allowing them to retain more inheritance without losing eligibility. The bill modifies existing rules to clarify that inherited assets up to $40,000 will not count toward asset limits, while requiring individuals to deposit earned income into designated accounts. This is a procedural adjustment to benefit eligibility criteria, not a new program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prevents loss of Medicaid eligibility by excluding inherited assets from asset calculations, directly supporting healthcare access for beneficiaries.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 437: Relating to: automated external defibrillators in child care centers and making an appropriation. (FE)

This bill provides $1 million every two years to help licensed child care centers purchase and maintain automated external defibrillators (AEDs). It requires centers to contribute 33% of the grant amount as matching funds. The Department of Children and Families will administer the grants, distributing funds to eligible centers under state licensing rules. This policy directly affects all licensed child care centers in the state by improving emergency cardiac response capabilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $1M biennially for AED grants in child care centers, directly funding a public safety program through state budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds AEDs for emergency cardiac response in child care centers, enhancing public health services and patient access to life-saving equipment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 574: Relating to: funding for the supplemental food program for women, infants and children during the federal government shutdown and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 574 creates a state funding mechanism to maintain Wisconsin's WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program benefits during federal government shutdowns. It requires the Department of Health Services to continue providing WIC benefits at pre-shutdown levels if federal funding lapses, specifically referencing the October 1, 2025 funding gap. The bill ensures uninterrupted access to nutrition support for low-income pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and young children who rely on WIC. This temporary provision expires on October 1, 2026, and is repealed upon federal funding restoration. The measure directly affects WIC participants and state budgeting during federal funding interruptions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state appropriation to fund WIC benefits during federal shutdown, ensuring uninterrupted access to essential nutrition program for vulnerable populations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill secures state funding to maintain WIC nutrition benefits during federal shutdowns, protecting access to healthcare services for pregnant women, infants, and children.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 657: Relating to: noncompete clauses for medical practitioners.

SB 657 prohibits noncompete clauses that restrict medical practitioners from working for more than 24 consecutive months after starting a job. It also makes all such noncompete agreements unenforceable if an employer terminates the practitioner’s employment for any reason. The law applies to defined medical practitioners, including physicians, physician assistants, psychologists, and advanced practice nurse prescribers. These provisions make affected noncompete agreements void and unenforceable under Wisconsin law. The bill takes effect after publication, with specific definitions updated to clarify the scope of "medical practitioner."

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits noncompete clauses restricting medical practitioners' mobility, improving patient access to healthcare services by preventing employment barriers.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits restrictive noncompete clauses, protecting medical practitioners' employment mobility and workers' rights under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 112: Relating to: consent to mental health treatment by minors who are age 14 or older.

AB 112 allows minors aged 14 or older to consent to inpatient mental health treatment without parental or guardian approval, directly affecting these minors, their parents/guardians, and mental health facilities. The bill amends statutes to let minors 14+ sign treatment applications themselves, and if parents refuse consent or cannot be found, minors may petition a court for approval. Facilities must now inform minors and parents (if available) of their rights, including the right to an independent evaluation and court hearings. The law requires facilities to file court petitions within 3 days if a minor aged 14+ refuses to join a treatment application. This bill focuses on expanding minor autonomy in mental health care decisions while maintaining court oversight.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands minor's access to mental health treatment without parental consent, improving patient access and protecting rights per bill's core provision.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 317: Relating to: requiring cardiac emergency response plans for cardiac emergencies that occur on school property or at school-sponsored athletic events. (FE)

SB 317 requires all Wisconsin public schools and charter schools to develop written cardiac emergency response plans by the 2027-28 school year. These plans must include core elements like response teams, AED maintenance details, annual drills, and staff training in CPR/AED use following national guidelines (e.g., American Heart Association). High schools must additionally require coaches to maintain current CPR/AED certification. Schools are not mandated to purchase AEDs, but must plan for their use if available. The law specifically targets cardiac emergencies occurring on school property or at school-sponsored athletic events.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates cardiac emergency response plans in schools, improving access to timely medical care during cardiac emergencies per national health guidelines.90% confidence

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passed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 362: Relating to: requiring cardiac emergency response plans for cardiac emergencies that occur on school property or at school-sponsored athletic events. (FE)

AB 362 requires all public school districts and charter schools to create written cardiac emergency response plans for cardiac emergencies occurring on school property or at school-sponsored athletic events, starting in the 2026-27 school year. These plans must include core elements like designated response teams, clear AED placement and maintenance, annual drills, and staff training in CPR and AED use following American Heart Association guidelines. Schools must also ensure coaches at athletic events hold current CPR/AED certification and that AEDs are accessible at all athletic venues. The law directly affects all K-12 schools and their staff, aiming to improve immediate response to cardiac emergencies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates cardiac emergency response plans including AEDs, CPR training, and drills in schools, improving emergency medical access for students/staff during cardiac events.90% confidence

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