Rep. Joel Kitchens

Maddy summaryAB 158 modifies Wisconsin's worker's compensation rules for mental injuries (specifically PTSD) among certain public safety professionals. It adds emergency medical responders, emergency medical services practitioners, correctional officers, emergency dispatchers, coroners, medical examiners, and medicolegal investigation staff to the list of workers eligible for mental injury claims. The bill requires these claims to meet additional conditions to be compensable, specifically for mental injuries not accompanied by physical harm. This change affects how these essential public safety workers access benefits for work-related PTSD under Wisconsin's worker's compensation system.

Maddy summaryAB 97 extends health coverage under Wisconsin's Medicaid program (Medical Assistance) for postpartum women from 60 days to 365 days after pregnancy, directly affecting pregnant and postpartum women who qualify for the program. The bill changes eligibility rules to ensure coverage continues without regard to income changes during this extended period. It also adds a provision allowing women with family incomes above 300% of the poverty line to qualify if their income is spent on medical care or health insurance premiums. This policy update aims to provide longer-term health coverage for new mothers during a critical postpartum period.

Maddy summaryAB 693 allows hunters in Wisconsin's designated central and southern farmland zones to offer legally taken deer to meat processing facilities in exchange for local business gift cards. The processed meat must then be provided to food distribution services (as defined by state law) that supply food pantries. This bill creates a new legal pathway for connecting hunting harvests with food assistance programs through a specific gift-card exchange mechanism. It directly affects hunters in those zones, meat processors, and food pantries receiving donated meat. The policy change streamlines how donated venison from legal hunts can reach food pantries via this structured process.

Maddy summaryAB 514 authorizes new circuit court branches and additional judicial staff in Kenosha, Brown, and Menominee/Shawano counties to address growing caseloads. Specifically, it adds a ninth branch in Kenosha County (effective August 2028), a ninth branch in Brown County (effective August 2027) and a tenth branch (effective August 2028), and a third branch in Menominee/Shawano Counties (effective August 2027). The bill also authorizes new circuit judge and court reporter positions for these branches, plus 30.5 additional assistant district attorney positions across 24 counties. These changes are funded through existing state court appropriations and will take effect on the specified dates.

Maddy summaryAB 658 raises the maximum annual compensation limits for volunteer emergency responders (firefighters, EMTs, and emergency medical responders) who also hold elected local government offices in cities, villages, or towns. It increases the cap to $35,000 for communities with under 5,000 residents and $25,000 for larger communities (over 5,000 residents), up from previous limits of $25,000 and $15,000, respectively. The bill clarifies that holding an elected office is compatible with receiving wages from certain local government positions, such as those under sections 60.37(4) or 61.327. This change directly affects volunteer emergency workers seeking to serve in local elected roles without exceeding compensation thresholds.

Maddy summaryAB 443 increases the maximum fee municipal courts can collect for most cases from $38 to $48 per matter, such as traffic violations or other non-traffic offenses. The bill affects municipal courts directly, as they collect these fees for cases not excluded (like certain traffic violations under specific statutes). For each fee collected, $5 goes to the state general fund, while the remainder stays with the municipality. This change applies to all court actions in municipal courts except for financial responsibility violations or certain ordinance violations. The bill does not alter the minimum fee ($15) or the fee structure for excluded cases.

Maddy summaryAB 61 increases penalties for harming police or fire department animals used in official duties. It creates three penalty tiers: a Class A misdemeanor for negligent harm, a Class I H felony for intentional injury, and a Class H G felony for intentional killing. The law applies specifically to animals working for law enforcement or fire departments during their duties. Penalties depend on the perpetrator's intent (intentional vs. negligent) and the outcome (injury vs. death). This bill, enacted as 2025 Wisconsin Act 28, directly affects individuals who intentionally or negligently injure or kill such animals.

Maddy summaryAB 237 extends the age limit for infants covered under Wisconsin's safe haven law from 72 hours to 30 days. This means parents can now safely relinquish an infant to a hospital or emergency responder without legal consequences if the child is 30 days old or younger, instead of only 72 hours. The bill modifies three statutes to update references to "72 hours" to "30 days" in the legal definitions for safe haven surrender, court findings of relinquishment, and related procedures. It directly affects parents seeking to surrender newborns and impacts hospitals, law enforcement, and child welfare systems that handle these surrenders. The change provides a longer window for parents to make this decision while maintaining the legal framework for safe relinquishment.

Maddy summaryAB 677 creates a new criminal offense for "grooming a child for sexual activity," defined as manipulating a child to facilitate sexual abuse. This law directly affects individuals convicted of such grooming behavior, adding it as a punishable offense under Wisconsin statutes like 948.02 (sexual exploitation of a child) and 948.072 (grooming). Key provisions amend multiple laws to include grooming as a disqualifying factor for home placements, licensing for childcare, and reporting requirements, while defining it as a "serious crime" for entities serving minors. The bill does not change existing penalties for actual sexual abuse but establishes grooming itself as a distinct criminal violation with specific legal consequences.

Maddy summaryAJR 91 is a ceremonial joint resolution recognizing the U.S. Navy's 250th birthday on October 13, 2025, marking the anniversary of the Continental Congress vote to establish the Navy on October 13, 1775. It expresses the Wisconsin Legislature's appreciation for the Navy's historical service and its legacy of defending U.S. freedoms, values, and interests over 250 years. The resolution has no binding effect or policy changes; it solely serves to honor the Navy's history and its connections to Wisconsin through shipbuilding, named vessels, and military contributions.