AB 76 creates a state income tax deduction for Wisconsin psychiatrists and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners. It allows eligible professionals 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 statute). The deduction applies only to income earned from their specific practice in Wisconsin and is limited to 5 consecutive taxable years, starting within 2 years of beginning or returning to practice in the state. To qualify, practitioners must be licensed and certified as specified in the bill, with the higher deduction requiring service in designated underserved regions.
AB 178 creates a new state grant program to fund county and tribal programs that offer treatment alternatives to jail for people facing criminal charges related to substance use or mental health issues. It requires these programs to use evidence-based treatment, integrate mental health services, and include graduated incentives for participants. The bill directly affects criminal defendants with substance use disorders or mental illness who qualify for these programs, as well as counties and tribes receiving grants. Key provisions include mandating collaboration between courts, prosecutors, public defenders, and health agencies to develop and oversee the programs, while exempting participants in approved programs from losing good time credit in jail.
SB 70 allows minors aged 14 or older who are unaccompanied youth (without adult supervision) to consent to essential health services without parental permission, provided they are verified as such by specific professionals like school counselors or shelter staff. The bill defines "medically necessary care" as services that prevent, diagnose, or treat illness or injury while meeting standard medical criteria, excluding experimental or duplicative treatments. Healthcare providers who follow this process are protected from liability for providing such care, though existing mandatory reporting laws and other consent rights (e.g., under Chapter 51) remain unchanged. This directly affects vulnerable minors in school, shelters, or transitional living programs who lack parental oversight.
AB 351 requires health insurance companies to accept virtual credit card payments for premium payments. It directly affects policyholders who pay premiums and insurers who process those payments. The key provision adds virtual credit cards as a valid payment method, alongside traditional cards or electronic transfers. This change aims to provide consumers with more flexible payment options for their health insurance coverage.
SB 107 allows minors aged 14 or older to consent to their own inpatient mental health treatment for mental illness or developmental disability without parental permission. It amends statutes to require minors 14+ to sign admission applications directly, with parents/guardians only needing to sign if the minor refuses. If a minor 14+ seeks treatment but parents refuse or cannot be found, the minor may petition a court for approval within 3 days. The bill also mandates facilities to inform minors and parents of their rights, including court review options, and sets a 5-day timeline for courts to decide on admission petitions. This directly affects minors 14+, their families, and mental health facilities.
This bill would permit certified advanced practice nurses (who prescribe medications) to perform radiography services, such as X-rays, as part of their existing practice. It creates a new statutory provision explicitly expanding their scope to include radiography without requiring separate radiography certification. The change directly affects these nurse prescribers, allowing them to conduct medical imaging procedures in healthcare settings. The bill was introduced in 2025 and referred to the Health committee for review.
SB 646 amends Wisconsin statute 51.61(1)(g)3 to allow reports assessing whether involuntarily committed individuals can refuse mental health treatment to be based on examinations by advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) with psychiatric expertise, not just physicians. This directly affects individuals in involuntary mental health commitments and expands the healthcare professionals authorized to certify treatment necessity and competency to refuse care. The bill requires such reports to include a signed statement from the APRN or physician confirming the individual needs treatment and lacks competence to refuse it. The change takes effect September 1, 2026, after a transitional period allowing either physicians or qualified APRNs to issue these reports until that date. The law maintains existing court hearing requirements for treatment decisions but broadens who can provide the foundational medical assessment.
SB 128 establishes a Municipal PFAS Grant Program to help communities test for and address PFAS ("forever chemicals") in drinking water systems. It allows water utilities to use service funds to cover up to half the cost of source reduction measures (like filtration) if cheaper than endpoint treatment, and creates an exception for utilities acting quickly on unexpected PFAS contamination (without penalties if they notify regulators within 30 days and costs stay under $2 million). The bill prioritizes projects addressing serious health risks and extends grant eligibility to disadvantaged communities affected by water contamination, regardless of their existing service area status. It also creates a referral system connecting PFAS contamination claims to the existing Innocent Landowner Grant Program.
SB 251 requires specific health insurance plans - including those offered by state/local governments - to cover asthma prescription drugs and related medical supplies (like inhalers) without deductibles. It caps patient out-of-pocket costs at $25 per month for asthma medications and $50 per month for related supplies, preventing higher costs as treatment needs increase. This applies to limited service health organizations, preferred provider plans, and defined network plans covering asthma treatment. The bill takes effect for new policy years starting after its enactment, ensuring consistent affordability for covered asthma care.
SB 396 increases funding for the Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program by $512,900 for fiscal year 2025-26 (adding 7 staff positions) and $602,800 for fiscal year 2026-27. This directly expands services provided to veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs by authorizing additional staff to support outreach and recovery efforts. The bill makes specific appropriations to the department without creating new program requirements or altering eligibility. It affects veterans seeking outreach services and the department’s capacity to deliver them.
