This bill establishes new funding and administrative provisions for Wisconsin's Medical Assistance program, including grants for community primary care and outreach services. It allocates $41.75 million for 2025-26 and $66.75 million for 2026-27 to support community health centers in hiring health workers, nurses, and social workers to provide care coordination services, particularly for individuals facing barriers like mental illness or homelessness. The legislation also creates a stabilization fund of $20 million for the BadgerCare Direct program, which pays providers directly for services rather than through insurance intermediaries. Additionally, the bill adds requirements for the state to maintain a 24/7 nurse consultation helpline, improve provider recruitment, and explore ways to reduce healthcare costs while ensuring timely access to medically necessary services.
This bill requires health insurance policies and plans in Wisconsin to cover maternal mental health screenings for each pregnancy, while also allowing the Medical Assistance program to reimburse these screenings. The legislation mandates that screening standards be developed in consultation with organizations led by Black, Indigenous, and other persons of color, and permits licensed midwives, nurse-midwives, advanced practice registered nurses, and other qualified healthcare providers to administer the screenings. Additionally, the bill requires state disability insurance policies and self-insured health plans that include maternity coverage to include these screenings. The law takes effect on the day after publication, with specific provisions for collective bargaining agreements to apply when new or renewed.
AB 1088 requires Wisconsin hospitals to schedule a free postpartum home visit within 14 days for new mothers who request it, covering physical recovery, breastfeeding support, and mental health screening. The visit must be provided by trained doulas, midwives, or other licensed health providers. Insurance plans - including government-run health programs - must cover this service without deductibles, copays, or other patient costs. The bill directly affects new mothers, hospitals, and health insurers across Wisconsin.
SB 933 requires social media platforms serving users in this state to display a clear mental health warning each time a user accesses the platform. The warning must note potential negative mental health effects and provide access to crisis resources like the 988 suicide hotline. Platforms cannot hide the warning, make it less visible, or disable it except under specified conditions. Violations could result in fines up to $5,000 per incident or lawsuits by affected users seeking damages or injunctions.
SB 939 prohibits operators of "companion chatbots" (AI systems designed to simulate ongoing, personalized relationships with users) from making these tools available to children under 18 without specific safety measures. It requires such chatbots to avoid encouraging self-harm, replacing professional mental health care, promoting illegal activity, sharing explicit content, prioritizing validation over safety, or optimizing engagement beyond safety features. Operators face civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation per day, and affected children or their guardians may sue for damages. The law exempts customer service bots, internal business tools, and research systems, and includes a 2027 implementation deadline.
SB 926 creates a two-year pilot program (2026-27 and 2027-28 school years) to provide behavioral health prevention tools to at least 50,000 high school students across Wisconsin. The program allocates $3 million in funding, with up to $1.5 million per school year, to deliver an electronic tool meeting specific requirements: online education resources, moderated peer support, private sessions with mental health professionals, mobile/web accessibility, and English/Spanish language support. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction will administer the pilot, potentially contracting with educational service agencies, and must select tools proven effective in rural and urban schools in other states. This program directly affects high school students by expanding access to preventive mental health services through a structured digital platform.
AB 1007 amends the definition of "veteran at risk" in Wisconsin law to explicitly include active-duty members of the U.S. armed forces, National Guard, or military reserves who have service-related physical or mental health conditions. The bill clarifies that a person qualifies as "at risk" based on information provided in a report about such conditions. This change directly affects military service members and veterans who may be identified through the existing veterans at risk alert system. The amendment refines the eligibility criteria for the system without creating new programs or funding.
SB 920 amends Wisconsin law to allow more health care providers to issue written excuses for student absences under the state's compulsory school attendance rules. It specifically permits licensed physicians, dentists, chiropractors, optometrists, psychologists, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, registered nurses, and Christian Science practitioners (listed in the Christian Science Journal) to provide these excuses. The written excuse must state the valid time period, which cannot exceed 30 days. This change directly affects students needing medical or mental health absences and school staff responsible for verifying attendance. The law takes effect on September 1, 2026.
SB 833 creates a $2 million appropriation for school counseling grants starting in the 2026-27 school year. It directly affects licensed school counselors (those holding a department-issued license under Wis. Admin. Code PI 34.059) by providing funds for their continuing education in mental and behavioral health. The bill requires the Department of Public Instruction to develop a program and promulgate rules to administer these grants. The funding is specifically allocated for counselor training costs, with no additional requirements or eligibility criteria detailed in the bill text.
AB 828 creates a new program to provide grants to licensed school counselors in Wisconsin for mental and behavioral health training. Starting in the 2026-27 school year, the Department of Public Instruction will award these grants to cover costs related to continuing education in this field. The bill appropriates $2 million for the program in the 2026-27 fiscal year. It requires the department to develop rules to administer the grants, targeting counselors who hold a specific state license under Wisconsin Administrative Code § PI 34.059.
