Healthcare

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 114: Relating to: clinician initiation of emergency detention of a minor and providing a penalty.

AB 114 allows licensed clinicians (such as psychologists, psychiatrists, or clinical social workers) in counties with fewer than 750,000 residents to initiate emergency detentions for minors who are mentally ill, drug-dependent, or developmentally disabled. Clinicians must complete county-approved training, document specific reasons (including why detention is the least restrictive option), and obtain county department approval before initiating detention. The county department must arrange transport to a treatment facility and file documentation with the court within 24 hours. This bill does not apply to large counties (750,000+ population) and replaces existing law for clinician-initiated detentions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables clinicians to initiate mental health emergency detentions for minors with mental illness/drug dependence, supporting timely access to care and structured intervention protocols.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 303: Relating to: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline grants. (FE)

AB 303 creates a new state grant program to fund crisis intervention services for people contacting the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline from within the state. The bill requires the state department to award grants to organizations providing crisis care coordination to individuals who call or text 988. This directly affects crisis service providers that serve callers within the state's geographic boundaries. The key mechanism is a state-funded grant program administered by the department to support these organizations, ensuring consistent access to crisis care for 988 users. The bill does not change the 988 hotline's operation but provides state funding to support local crisis response services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates state grant program for 988 crisis services, directly funding mental health intervention coordination and expanding access to crisis care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 631: Relating to: use of public lands to provide temporary residence for the homeless and providing a penalty. (FE)

AB 631 creates "structured camping facilities" on designated public lands (excluding parks and fairgrounds) to provide temporary housing for homeless individuals and families. Local governments or the state department can designate these facilities, requiring residents to complete mental health or substance use evaluations, with a waiting list system when capacity is reached. The bill also establishes penalties for unauthorized camping on public property, classifying second or subsequent violations as Class C misdemeanors. It mandates data collection on facility usage, including occupancy and referrals for services, while ensuring safety and sanitation at all sites.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires mental health/substance use evaluations for residents of structured camping facilities, linking housing access to healthcare services and improving access to mental health support.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates structured camping facilities on public lands for homeless temporary housing, directly addressing homelessness through new housing solutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Homelessness

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 547: Relating to: regulating medical cannabis, the prescription drug monitoring program, and providing a penalty. (FE)

AB 547 establishes a new Office of Medical Cannabis Regulation within Wisconsin's Department of Health Services to oversee medical cannabis programs. It defines "medical cannabis product" consistently across state laws and adds protections preventing courts from denying child custody based solely on lawful medical cannabis use or registry enrollment. The bill also updates local ordinances to clarify restrictions on marijuana possession, ensuring penalties don't apply to medical cannabis users under specific circumstances. These changes aim to create a clearer regulatory framework while addressing legal inconsistencies in existing statutes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes medical cannabis regulatory office within health agency, defines products consistently, and protects patients from custody denial due to lawful use, advancing healthcare access and rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 72: Relating to: creating an individual income tax deduction for certain income earned by an individual from the practice of psychiatry or from providing psychiatric or mental health services. (FE)

SB 72 creates a state income tax deduction for psychiatrists and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners who work in Wisconsin. It allows eligible individuals to deduct up to $100,000 annually from their taxable income if they practice outside medically underserved areas, or up to $200,000 if they work in such areas (as defined by state law). To qualify, professionals must claim the deduction within their first two years of practicing in Wisconsin or returning to the state, and can only use it for up to five consecutive years. The bill directly affects licensed psychiatrists and certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners who meet the location and eligibility requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax deduction reducing taxable income for psychiatrists - direct tax relief aligned with support indicators for targeted tax breaks.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates tax deduction for mental health professionals to increase access, especially in underserved areas, directly supporting mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

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vetoed · Wisconsin · Assembly May 13, 2026

AB 73: Relating to: statutory recognition of specialized treatment court and commercial court dockets.

AB 73 creates a new statute (Chapter 798) to formally recognize two types of specialized court programs in Wisconsin: treatment courts and commercial courts. Treatment courts (e.g., drug, mental health, veterans courts) address underlying issues like addiction to reduce recidivism through treatment and supervision, while commercial courts handle business disputes more efficiently. The bill establishes these dockets within the existing court system, requiring judges to receive specialized training and operate using graduated sanctions and rewards. It directly affects courts handling these case types, aiming to improve outcomes for participants and streamline dispute resolution.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes treatment courts to reduce recidivism through rehabilitation (e.g., drug/mental health programs), directly aligning with criminal justice reform indicators like reducing recidivism and improving rehabilitation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly creates statutory recognition for mental health treatment courts, directly supporting mental health services as part of reducing recidivism through treatment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Mental Health Substance Abuse

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signed · Wisconsin · Senate Dec 10, 2025

SB 190: Relating to: ratification of the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact. (FE)

SB 190 ratifies Wisconsin's participation in the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, enabling respiratory therapists licensed in Wisconsin to practice in other participating states without obtaining new licenses. This bill directly affects respiratory care practitioners and healthcare facilities that employ them, as it establishes reciprocal licensing recognition across states. Key provisions amend Wisconsin statutes to recognize "compact privileges" for respiratory therapists certified under the compact, streamlining practice across state lines. The law requires the state medical examining board to appoint a commission to administer the compact, aligning Wisconsin with similar agreements for healthcare professionals.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves licensing barriers for respiratory therapists, enabling cross-state practice and improving access to care services.85% confidence

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 552: Relating to: funding for the birth defect prevention and monitoring system and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 552 increases annual funding for Wisconsin's birth defect prevention and monitoring system from $95,000 to $500,000. It also authorizes 3.3 additional full-time staff positions at the Department of Health Services to maintain this system. The bill allocates an extra $405,000 for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 from the state health services budget. This directly affects the Department of Health Services, which will use the funds to strengthen birth defect monitoring and prevention efforts. The changes are purely fiscal, with no new policy requirements beyond the specified funding and staffing adjustments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly increases state funding for public health program by $405k over two fiscal years, directly strengthening budget allocation for essential services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases funding for birth defect prevention system by $405,000 annually and adds staff positions to strengthen public health monitoring within healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 563: Relating to: requiring hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to implement policies to prevent exposure to surgical smoke in operating rooms. (FE)

AB 563 requires hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to implement policies preventing exposure to surgical smoke during procedures. It mandates the use of smoke evacuation systems (equipment capturing smoke at the source) in operating rooms for any surgery likely to generate surgical smoke - defined as gaseous byproducts from tools like lasers or scalpels. Exceptions allow providers to skip the system if they determine it's unnecessary for a specific procedure. The bill directly affects healthcare facilities and surgical staff by establishing a concrete safety standard for smoke exposure.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates smoke evacuation systems in operating rooms to prevent health hazards from surgical smoke, directly improving patient and provider safety in healthcare services.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates smoke evacuation systems to prevent occupational exposure, directly improving workplace safety for healthcare workers in operating rooms.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workplace Safety

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 62: Relating to: health care costs omnibus, granting rule-making authority, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE)

AB 62 establishes a Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board to address prescription drug costs. The board, with members representing pharmaceutical companies, health insurers, healthcare providers, and the public, must meet quarterly and avoid conflicts of interest. Key provisions include creating a $500,000 annual grant program for healthcare providers to develop tools showing patients the cost of prescriptions (Section 601.415), launching a diabetes medication pilot project (Section 601.41), and repealing a section requiring copayments for certain Medicaid services (Section 7). This bill directly affects insurers, pharmacies, drug manufacturers, and healthcare providers who must disclose drug costs to patients.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $500,000 annually for healthcare cost transparency tools, directly funding a public service initiative under state budget management.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board, funds cost transparency tools ($500k grants), and launches diabetes medication pilot to lower healthcare costs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Medicaid Prescription Drugs

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