Rep. Francesca Hong

Maddy summaryAB 361 eliminates specific criminal defenses in cases where a defendant claims they acted due to the victim's gender identity or sexual orientation. The bill amends statutes to prevent defendants from using "adequate provocation," "self-defense," or "not guilty by reason of mental disease" as justifications if the claim relates to the victim's actual or perceived gender identity, expression, or sexual orientation. This specifically blocks defenses in situations like when the victim made a romantic advance without force or when the defendant and victim dated. The law applies to offenses committed on its effective date and directly affects defendants in criminal cases involving these specific circumstances.

Maddy summaryAB 365 requires cities, towns, and homeowners' associations to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) - small secondary homes on existing properties - as a "permitted use" without special permits on eligible parcels. It prohibits local governments and HOAs from charging extra fees (beyond standard building permits), imposing stricter design rules than for main homes, requiring separate utilities or parking, or banning ADUs via deed restrictions. The bill permits size limits (capping ADUs at 75% of the main home's square footage on single-family parcels) but bans all other restrictive rules. It directly affects local zoning authorities, municipal ordinances, and HOA covenants governing residential properties.

Maddy summaryAJR 79 is a ceremonial joint resolution recognizing June 2025 as LGBTQ Pride Month in Wisconsin. It formally acknowledges the state’s historical support for LGBTQ rights - including being the first to pass anti-discrimination laws in 1982 - and highlights ongoing community efforts, though it does not create new policies or affect specific groups. As a symbolic resolution, it has no legal force or binding requirements.

Maddy summaryAB 339 creates a state-funded program to reimburse school districts and charter schools for comprehensive mental health services provided to students during school and after-school hours, starting in the 2025-26 school year. Eligible services include mental health literacy programs, parent training, community partnerships, mental health navigators, and telehealth setup costs, while excluding direct treatment services, insurance deductibles, and regular school operating expenses. The program allocates $83.8 million for each of the next two fiscal years, with reimbursement capped at either $100,000 per school or $100 per enrolled student. This funding aims to expand accessible mental health support within schools without requiring new taxes or fees.

Maddy summaryAB 355 removes specific restrictions on abortion access and requires certain health insurance plans to cover abortion care without cost-sharing. It directly affects patients seeking abortion services and health insurers offering coverage under specified plans. Key provisions eliminate mandatory waiting periods and counseling requirements, while mandating coverage for abortion services in state-regulated health insurance plans. This policy change aims to improve access by removing regulatory barriers and ensuring insurance coverage.

Maddy summaryAB 267 requires Wisconsin state parks to waive all daily admission fees (including any issuing fees) on April 22 each year, commemorating Earth Day and its founder, Gaylord Nelson. This policy directly affects all visitors to Wisconsin state parks on April 22, making entry free on that specific date. The bill creates a new statutory provision (27.01(9)(b)) that mandates this automatic fee waiver annually. It does not change existing fee structures outside of Earth Day or create new funding obligations.

Maddy summaryAB 17 creates tax incentives to encourage business transitions to employee ownership. It provides a credit covering 70% of conversion costs (up to $100,000) for worker-owned cooperatives and 50% (up to $100,000) for employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), plus a deduction for capital gains tax on business transfers to these models. The bill directly affects business owners in Wisconsin who convert their companies to employee ownership structures, requiring employee ownership to exceed 50% to qualify. It also establishes an education program to support these transitions, aiming to make such conversions more financially accessible.

Maddy summaryAB 314 updates state statutes to replace gendered terms like "husband and wife" with gender-neutral language across numerous legal provisions. The bill specifically amends fishing license statutes (such as 29.219(4), 29.228(5), and 29.228(6)) to use inclusive terms like "spouses" instead of gendered language. It also makes similar changes to marriage and parentage rights throughout the statutes. The bill does not create new rights but ensures consistent gender-neutral terminology in existing legal language. This affects how state agencies and legal documents refer to family relationships in multiple areas of law.

Maddy summaryAB 392 creates a state Task Force focused on addressing the crisis of missing and murdered African American women and girls in Wisconsin. The task force will develop recommendations to improve responses, prevention efforts, and support services for this community. The bill includes a funding appropriation to cover the task force’s operational costs. It was introduced by multiple legislators and referred to the Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety for further review.

Maddy summaryAB 402 requires all health insurance plans in Wisconsin to cover maternity and newborn care services. It grants the Commissioner of Insurance authority to create specific rules for implementing this coverage requirement. The bill directly affects health insurance providers and ensures these services are included in standard coverage for policyholders.