Rep. Dave Murphy

Maddy summaryAB 256 designates April 24 as Armenian Genocide Awareness Day in Wisconsin public schools, to be observed annually as part of Genocide Awareness Month. The bill requires schools to recognize this day on their calendars but does not mandate specific curriculum or activities. It directly affects all public K-12 schools in Wisconsin, beginning with the school year after the law takes effect. The legislation creates a new statutory provision (118.02 (7d)) to formalize this observance without altering existing educational requirements.

Maddy summaryAB 499 requires health insurance plans and self-insured health plans to provide equal coverage for nonopioid pain treatments compared to opioids. Specifically, plans must cover at least two nonopioid prescription medications (not controlled substances) and three non-drug pain management options, without imposing stricter prior authorization or step therapy rules on nonopioid treatments than on opioids. The law prohibits designating nonopioid drugs as "nonpreferred" if opioids are listed and mandates annual public disclosure of pain management coverage details to enrollees and providers. This directly affects all health plans covering prescription drugs in Wisconsin, aiming to expand access to nonopioid pain management alternatives.

Maddy summaryAJR 94 is a symbolic resolution that would officially recognize January as "Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month" across Wisconsin. It directly affects all Wisconsin residents by designating a specific month for statewide awareness efforts focused on human trafficking. The resolution has no binding legal requirements but serves as a formal declaration to encourage educational events, community outreach, and resource sharing related to human trafficking prevention during January. It does not create new laws or allocate funding.

Maddy summaryAB 191 requires that subpoenas directed at law enforcement officers or tribal law enforcement officers serving in their official capacity must be delivered only to the officer's work address, not their personal residence. This applies to all such officers as defined in existing statutes (including tribal officers under Section 165.85(2)(g)). The bill specifies three acceptable service methods: handing the subpoena to the officer, giving them a copy, or leaving a copy at their work address. It does not change the officers' duties or responsibilities but modifies the procedural requirement for subpoena delivery. This is a procedural rule affecting how legal process is served to these officers during official duties.

Maddy summaryAB 34 prevents courts from allowing criminal complaints against law enforcement officers in officer-involved deaths when a district attorney has already determined there is no basis for prosecution. The bill requires that courts and judges cannot issue complaints unless "new or unused evidence" is presented, effectively barring judicial override of a district attorney's initial decision. This directly affects law enforcement officers involved in such deaths and the legal process for pursuing criminal charges against them. The law applies to cases defined under statute 175.47 (1) (c), limiting judicial action based on a district attorney's prior assessment.

Maddy summaryAB 278 creates a grant program for law enforcement agencies to purchase data-sharing platforms that integrate real-time data from multiple systems, eliminate duplicate records, and provide secure, customizable search and analytics tools. The bill specifies that platforms must meet 11 detailed requirements, including secure access controls, compatibility with existing systems, compliance with data security standards, and retention of agency data ownership. The Department of Justice will award grants using up to $2 million annually from state funds to support this initiative. This bill directly affects local and state law enforcement agencies seeking to upgrade their data-sharing capabilities.

Maddy summaryAB 198 creates two key programs: (1) grants for technical colleges offering emergency medical services (EMS) training, provided they don't give admission priority based on residency; and (2) a reimbursement program for individuals or their employers who paid tuition/materials for initial EMS certification/licensure as an emergency medical responder or practitioner. Eligible applicants must complete required courses, pass exams, and obtain their license/certification through the Department of Health Services. The bill also establishes a "live 911" pilot program allowing grants for real-time video communication during emergency calls, requiring a performance report by October 2027. This directly affects EMS students, practitioners, their employers, and public safety answering points.

Maddy summaryAB 77 prohibits the use of devices designed to conceal, alter, or obstruct license plates on vehicles. It defines such devices as any manual, electronic, or mechanical tool that switches plates, moves them, or makes registration numbers unreadable. The bill bans possessing, selling, installing, or using these devices, and allows police to impound vehicles equipped with them (with costs paid by the owner). Violators face fines up to $1,000 or 90 days in jail. This directly affects vehicle owners who might use such devices to obscure license plates.

Maddy summaryAB 449 requires local governments to allow at least one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) - a separate living space on a single-family property - as a standard permitted use, meaning homeowners can build one without special approvals. Local rules may still limit ADU size (to match the main home's square footage), height, or yard space requirements, but cannot block ADUs entirely. The bill also prohibits using newly created ADUs as short-term rentals (like Airbnb) after a specific date. This directly affects homeowners in single-family zones and local governments that set zoning rules.

Maddy summaryAB 353 requires hospitals to provide clear, upfront pricing for services and restricts certain aggressive debt collection tactics against patients. It directly affects hospitals by mandating transparent cost disclosures and patients by limiting how debt collectors can pursue unpaid medical bills. Key provisions include requiring hospitals to publish standard charges and prohibiting collectors from garnishing wages or threatening lawsuits for small amounts. The bill also establishes penalties for violations of these transparency and debt collection rules. This legislation aims to make healthcare costs more understandable and protect patients from excessive collection practices.