Rep. Karen Kirsch

Maddy summaryAB 1017 creates a new child care subsidy program specifically for custodial parents who work as employees in child care facilities. It allows these parents to qualify for subsidies under revised eligibility rules, bypassing standard income and asset requirements that typically apply to other subsidy recipients. The bill appropriates $1.2 million in fiscal year 2025-26 for administrative costs related to this new program. This directly affects parents employed by child care providers who have primary custody of children under 13 (or 19 if disabled) and meet the new eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryAJR 136 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would add a new Section 1m to Article I of the state constitution, stating: "As a necessary part of a free society, the people have an individual and fundamental right to privacy." This resolution, introduced by multiple assembly members and senators, would establish this privacy right as a fundamental constitutional protection for all residents. The bill requires voter approval at the next general election, as it must be referred to voters following a three-month publication period. It does not create immediate legal requirements but proposes a foundational constitutional change.

Maddy summaryAB 1010 allows adult and minor children to claim damages for loss of society and companionship if a parent is injured or dies due to medical malpractice. It specifically covers three situations: adult children with disabilities who relied on parental support, adult children in post-secondary education dependent on parental financial support, or children who incurred out-of-pocket medical, funeral, or legal costs. The bill creates new legal grounds for these claims while clarifying they do not replace other existing malpractice claims under Wisconsin law. It applies to cases arising after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryAB 1011 raises the cap on total noneconomic damages (such as pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life) in medical malpractice cases from $750,000 to $3,000,000 per incident. This directly affects patients who win malpractice lawsuits and healthcare providers or insurers who pay these damages. The bill amends statutes to set this new $3 million limit for all claims against health care providers or their employees for negligence occurring on or after April 6, 2006. It also updates the legislative findings to state that this amount balances victim compensation with maintaining affordable healthcare access. The bill does not change limits for economic damages (like medical costs) or alter liability rules.

Maddy summaryAB 1015 adjusts Wisconsin Shares child care assistance copayment rules and increases funding. It limits copayments to no more than 7% of a family’s gross income (49.155 (5) (ag)) and waives copayments entirely for families earning below 150% of the federal poverty line (49.155 (5) (ar)). The bill also increases annual funding for child care subsidies by $22.93 million for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. These changes directly affect low-income families using Wisconsin Shares child care assistance.

Maddy summaryAB 1077 updates Wisconsin's firearms laws by requiring courts to notify the Department of Justice when ordering firearm restrictions, ensuring accurate background checks for buyers. It creates new funding for firearm dealer permits and mandates law enforcement agencies to submit recovered firearms for tracing via the eTrace system within 48 hours. The bill directly affects firearms dealers (through permit fees), courts (in handling firearm restriction orders), and law enforcement (in firearm tracing procedures). Key provisions include standardized court notifications to the DOJ for firearm restrictions and new requirements for law enforcement to trace recovered weapons.

Maddy summaryAB 1043 requires adult family homes and residential care apartment complexes to implement fall prevention and recovery training for staff and residents. It mandates that facilities maintain at least one certified CPR provider, one certified first aid provider, and one staff member trained in fall recovery and safe lifting techniques on-site at all times. Facilities must provide fall prevention training to new residents within 30 days of move-in (unless a healthcare provider certifies they cannot participate) and require staff to complete related training. The bill also establishes a duty for facilities to administer CPR or first aid during emergencies before emergency services arrive, unless a do-not-resuscitate order exists, and prohibits policies that prevent staff from providing immediate aid.

Maddy summaryAB 1059 increases funding for home-delivered meals by $250,000 for fiscal year 2025-26 and another $250,000 for fiscal year 2026-27. This directly affects seniors and vulnerable adults who rely on state-funded home-delivered meal programs under Section 46.80(5)(a). The bill modifies the budget allocation to the Department of Health Services, specifically boosting the available funds for these services. It does not change program eligibility or service requirements, only increasing the financial support.

Maddy summaryAB 1048 repeals statute 66.0104, which governed local regulations of landlords. This procedural bill removes an existing legal provision without creating new rules or directly affecting landlords, tenants, or local governments. It was introduced by multiple legislators and referred to the Housing Committee. The bill's sole action is eliminating the referenced statute from the code.

Maddy summaryAB 823 creates a program to provide electronic benefit transfer (EBT) and credit/debit card processing equipment and services to farmers' markets and farmers who sell directly to consumers. It allocates $367,500 biennially for this payment processing program and increases funding by $1 million annually for the healthy food incentive program. The bill requires participating vendors to process local purchasing incentives (even if funded by third parties) and adds 0.625 FTE positions to administer the program. This directly affects farmers' markets and farmers selling directly to consumers who participate in EBT or incentive programs.