Rep. Jerry O'Connor

Maddy summaryAB 1013 updates Wisconsin's licensing rules for massage therapy and bodywork therapy businesses. It creates clear definitions for business types (like mobile services, out-call appointments, and sole practitioner operations) and allows reduced license fees for sole practitioners. The bill also establishes a "responsible manager" role for businesses and clarifies that fingerprinting is generally prohibited for licensing, except in specific cases. These changes aim to modernize the regulatory framework for massage therapy providers and their establishments.

Maddy summaryAB 819 allows health care providers to offer discounts of up to 15% for prompt payment of fees by individuals covered under disability insurance policies. It directly affects health care providers serving patients with such coverage and requires providers to: (1) post discount policies online, (2) limit discounts to avoid collection costs, and (3) not shift discount costs to other patients or advertise discounts publicly. The bill does not require providers to offer discounts but prohibits them from reducing coinsurance/deductibles under disability insurance terms, except for these structured prompt payment discounts. It also ensures discounts comply with federal law and do not override existing provider contracts with insurers.

Maddy summaryAB 832 requires schools to implement human trafficking and sextortion prevention education in health classes for students in grades 6-8 and 9-12 starting in the 2026-27 school year. It mandates that teachers receive training to identify children at risk of trafficking (under s. 948.051) or sextortion - defined as threatening to release explicit content unless victims send money or more content. The bill directs the Department of Children and Families and Department of Justice to create a list of age-appropriate training courses for educators. This affects all public school districts, teachers, and students in the specified grade ranges, with curriculum content aligned to the recommended training courses. The law takes effect for the 2026-27 school year.

Maddy summaryAB 843 would require all law enforcement officers and tribal law enforcement officers in the state to be U.S. citizens. This bill directly affects individuals seeking or currently holding these law enforcement positions, including tribal officers. The key provision creates a new statutory requirement stating: "No person may be employed as a law enforcement officer or tribal law enforcement officer unless that person is a citizen of the United States." The bill does not alter existing hiring practices for other public safety roles, focusing solely on citizenship as a mandatory qualification for these specific law enforcement positions.

Maddy summaryAB 861 extends the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits related to child trafficking. It allows victims to file lawsuits for damages before reaching age 35, instead of the previous deadline. The bill specifically creates new legal provisions (895.439(2) and 893.586) to clarify this timeline for child trafficking cases. It does not change criminal penalties but ensures victims have more time to pursue civil claims, regardless of whether criminal charges were filed. The law directly affects minors who were trafficked and now have until their 35th birthday to seek legal remedies.

Maddy summaryAJR 129 is a symbolic resolution designating February 6 as "Ronald Reagan Day" in Wisconsin. It does not create new laws or affect specific groups; instead, it urges Wisconsin citizens to recognize this day in observance of Ronald Reagan's birthday (February 6, 1911). The resolution highlights Reagan's roles as a governor, president, and his historical impact, including economic policies and Cold War contributions. As a commemorative measure, it has no binding effect beyond encouraging public acknowledgment of Reagan's legacy.

Maddy summaryAB 841 expands Wisconsin's sex offender registration requirements by adding specific sexual assault and child abuse crimes to the list of offenses triggering registration. It updates the legal definition of "sex offense" to include violations of statutes covering crimes like sexual assault of minors, certain predatory acts, and offenses against children under 14. People convicted of these specific crimes will now be required to register as sex offenders, with the exception that the rule applies only when the victim was a minor and the offender was not the victim’s parent. This change directly affects individuals convicted of the newly listed offenses under Wisconsin law.

Maddy summaryAB 885 limits how cities can regulate land development outside their official boundaries. It prevents municipalities from denying approval for land plats or surveys based solely on the proposed land use, unless the denial follows specific, pre-approved rules related to: (1) land use itself, (2) public improvements, (3) land division standards, or (4) annexation agreements. This directly affects developers and landowners seeking to build in areas adjacent to cities but not yet within city limits. The bill ensures cities can only block development for clearly defined reasons, not arbitrary concerns about how land might be used.

Maddy summaryAB 895 modifies sentencing and parole procedures for individuals under 18 convicted of crimes. It requires courts to consider youth-specific mitigating factors and relevant information when determining eligibility for release to extended supervision or parole. The bill creates new provisions (e.g., § 302.114(5)(cs), § 304.06(1)(bc)) that apply specifically to "youthful offenders" as defined in § 973.014(3)(a). These changes directly affect minors in the state’s criminal justice system by mandating more individualized review of their cases during sentencing and parole decisions.

Maddy summaryAB 896 requires local governments (cities, towns, counties, school districts) to coordinate with federal refugee resettlement programs. If federal authorities or a private agency contact a local official about placing refugees, the official must report this within 7 business days to their chief elected official. Within 30 days, the local government must appoint a designee to consult with federal agencies, form a county committee for discussion, and hold a public hearing before making a recommendation on refugee placement. This bill establishes a structured process for local input on federal refugee resettlement plans, affecting all local governments within a 100-mile radius of the initial contact.