Rep. Cindi Duchow

Maddy summaryAB 318 requires fair organizations (like county fairs, agricultural societies, or associations) seeking state aid to submit two annual reports. Within 30 days after each fair, they must file a detailed report verifying that gambling devices, most alcohol sales (except fermented malt beverages and wine), and "immoral" exhibitions were prohibited at the event. By January 31st each year, they must also submit a finance report covering receipts, disbursements, attendance, and other required details. State aid payments are tied to submitting these reports on time, ensuring compliance before funds are released.

Maddy summaryAB 348 lowers the minimum age for assistant child care teachers in Wisconsin from 17 or 18 to 16 years old, directly affecting licensed child care centers hiring these staff. To qualify, individuals must complete early childhood education training (e.g., two college credits, a department-approved course, or an approved program) within six months. The bill maintains current rules that assistant teachers may only provide sole supervision during specific times (like opening/closing hours or naptime) if a qualified child care teacher is present on-site. It does not change requirements for child care teachers themselves.

Maddy summaryAB 350, introduced on July 8, 2025, by multiple state representatives and senators, aims to establish new regulations for family and group child care centers. It directly affects child care providers operating under these models by setting standards for safety, staffing, and facility requirements. The bill is currently referred to the Committee on Children and Families for further review. As introduced, it focuses on creating specific regulatory frameworks for these centers without detailing exact provisions in the provided context.

Maddy summaryAB 349 would allow certified child care operators to provide care for up to six children, changing the current capacity limit for licensed providers. This directly affects licensed child care facilities operating under state certification. The bill amends regulatory standards to establish six as the new maximum number of children per certified operator. It applies specifically to certified settings and does not alter requirements for unlicensed care.

Maddy summaryAB 164 standardizes terminology across Wisconsin's unemployment insurance system, replacing "unemployment insurance" with "reemployment assistance" in state laws to align with federal programs. It creates a new Division of Reemployment Assistance within the Department of Workforce Development and clarifies responsibilities for home care workers, requiring placement agencies to inform consumers about who pays federal social security taxes, state reemployment assistance contributions, and worker compensation insurance. The bill ensures home care consumers aren't unexpectedly liable for these costs if agencies fail to provide required notices, and establishes mechanisms for recovering costs from agencies when they do. These changes primarily affect home care workers, placement agencies, and state agencies administering unemployment benefits.

Maddy summaryAB 284 streamlines the management of state construction projects by raising the cost threshold for mandatory project enumeration from $1 million to $2 million. It requires quarterly budget reports for projects needing increases, sets a 6-month deadline for the Claims Board to resolve certain construction claims, and mandates state agencies to collaborate with energy conservation contractors on pilot projects. The bill also clarifies responsibilities for utility costs in contracts, modifies bidding procedures, and transfers $32 million from the general fund to the state building trust fund for infrastructure. These changes primarily affect state agencies, the building commission, and contractors managing public construction projects.

Maddy summaryAB 92 creates a Spinal Cord Injury Council in Wisconsin's Department of Health Services to oversee research funding. It allocates $2.5 million biennially for grants supporting research into new treatments for spinal cord injuries, including pharmaceutical, medical device, and rehabilitative approaches. The council - composed of researchers, patients, veterans, and family members - sets grant criteria, reviews applications, and recommends awardees. Grant recipients must present findings at department-hosted symposia (held no more than once every two years) and report annual results to the legislature. This directly affects Wisconsin-based researchers and medical institutions conducting spinal cord injury research.

Maddy summaryAB 311 would allow transgender and intersex individuals to update their sex marker on birth certificates without requiring medical documentation. The bill directly affects people seeking to align their legal identity with their gender identity through simplified administrative changes. Key provisions would replace current requirements (like court orders or medical certifications) with a straightforward self-attestation process. The bill is currently under review in the Assembly Judiciary Committee after being introduced on June 6, 2025.

Maddy summaryAB 448 allows eligible nonprofit agricultural organizations (specifically, long-standing, member-directed cooperatives established before 1922 and meeting IRS 501(c)(5) requirements) to provide health benefit coverage exclusively to their members and members' families. Key provisions require these organizations to offer coverage in all state counties, provide written notice clarifying this is not health insurance, cover all physician services without preexisting condition exclusions beyond six months, and maintain sufficient financial reserves via annual actuarial reviews. The bill also mandates reinsurance with state-authorized companies and establishes complaint resolution processes mirroring those for standard health insurance. This framework directly affects qualifying agricultural co-ops and their members, creating a regulated pathway for member-only health benefits while ensuring basic consumer protections.

Maddy summaryAB 412 would require certain professionals, such as teachers and healthcare workers, to directly report suspected child abuse cases to law enforcement instead of child protective services. This changes the current reporting process by mandating immediate referrals to police for safety concerns. The bill applies to individuals already designated as mandated reporters under existing law. It was introduced in August 2025 and referred to the Criminal Justice Committee for review.