Rep. Christine Sinicki

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Wisconsin statutes to clarify and expand protections against housing discrimination based on various characteristics including sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital and family status, victim status of domestic abuse or stalking, lawful source of income, receipt of rental assistance, age, and ancestry. It explicitly extends state anti-discrimination laws to cover owner-occupied single-family residences, requiring local governments to assist in preventing discrimination in housing sales and rentals. The bill also defines key terms such as "rental or housing assistance" and "small landlord" to ensure consistent application of these protections across different housing situations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans and self-insured state and local health plans to cover vaccines for children from birth to age six that are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If the CDC withdraws a vaccine recommendation, the bill mandates that these plans continue to cover the vaccine based on recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics or the American Academy of Family Physicians. The legislation also directs the state immunization program to consider recommendations from these medical organizations when deciding which diseases to target for elimination. Additionally, the bill requires healthcare providers to maintain records of vaccine administration, including the manufacturer, lot number, and administering provider information.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Wisconsin State Legislature to officially recognize February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. It does not change laws or create new programs, but instead serves as a symbolic resolution to raise awareness about dating violence among young people. The measure highlights statistics about teen abuse and encourages public education about healthy relationship dynamics. It directly affects the state legislature and the public by designating a specific month for awareness activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to amend the Wisconsin Constitution to remove an exception that currently allows slavery or involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime. If passed, it would prohibit all forms of slavery and involuntary servitude without exception, regardless of criminal conviction. The measure requires approval by two successive legislatures and ratification by voters before it becomes law. It directly affects the state's constitutional framework regarding human rights and criminal punishment.

Maddy summaryThis bill would remove specific legal restrictions that currently prohibit state and local government entities from contracting with companies that boycott Israel. By repealing sections 16.75(10p) and 20.931 of the statutes, the legislation aims to eliminate contractual barriers that prevent public agencies from working with businesses involved in such boycotts. The bill also amends related statutes to clarify how state agencies can proceed with procurement decisions without being hindered by these prohibitions. This change would allow government entities to consider all potential bidders without regard to their positions on Israel-related boycotts.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Department of Health Services to create a public health campaign aimed at preventing youth from starting to use tobacco and electronic cigarettes. It also provides funding for grants to local and regional organizations that work on youth vaping prevention and offer cessation services. The legislation includes a requirement for the department to submit annual reports to the governor and legislature evaluating the success of the grant program. Additionally, the bill appropriates $2 million for fiscal year 2026-27 to support these initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Office of the Ombudsperson for Corrections within the Department of Administration to investigate complaints from prisoners, staff, contractors, and their families regarding abuse, unfair treatment, or rights violations in state correctional facilities and community-based correctional services. The ombudsperson, appointed by the governor with Senate approval, will receive complaints at no cost to the complainant after internal processes are exhausted, investigate facility policies and practices, and make recommendations to facility operators, the governor, or the legislature. The office will have authority to subpoena records and witnesses, require facility operators to cooperate with investigations, and publish annual reports with statistics on complaints and recommendations on a public website. The bill also authorizes funding for the new position and establishes the ombudsperson's role within the state's correctional oversight structure.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers in Wisconsin to provide reasonable break time and specific accommodations for breastfeeding employees with children under one year of age. Employers must offer a private space shielded from view and free from intrusion, along with access to electrical outlets, running water, and a refrigerator for storing breast milk. The law applies to all employers, including state and local government agencies, but includes an exception for small businesses with fewer than 50 employees if compliance would cause undue hardship. Employees cannot be discriminated against or retaliated against for taking these breaks, and violations can be reported to the department for enforcement. The bill also clarifies how unpaid break time affects health care coverage eligibility and when it counts as paid work time.

Maddy summaryThis bill would remove a specific legal provision that currently allows landlords to use a tenant's waiver of their right to a jury trial as a defense in eviction cases. By repealing this section of the statutes, the legislation would eliminate that particular defense strategy available to property owners. The change directly affects landlords and tenants involved in eviction proceedings where such waivers might have been signed. This policy adjustment aims to alter how eviction defenses are structured in court proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for Wisconsin's Medical Assistance program to include parents or caretakers of dependent children and adults under 65 with family incomes between 101% and 133% of the poverty line. The legislation requires the state to seek federal approval before these new eligibility categories take effect, with the changes scheduled to begin on January 1, 2029, if approved. If federal approval is not obtained, individuals meeting the new income and relationship criteria would not qualify for Medical Assistance benefits. The bill also adjusts existing income thresholds for current eligible families and reorganizes statutory sections to accommodate these changes.