Maddy summarySB 120 requires all school boards to create written policies by July 2026 governing how schools handle changes to a student's legal name and pronouns in official records. The bill mandates that schools must obtain written parental consent or specific affidavits (with documentation for minors or age 18+ students) before updating records, notify parents for minor requests, and allow appeals for denied requests. It also specifies that school staff may not use names or pronouns conflicting with a student's biological sex without parental written permission, except for shortened legal names. The policy must align with federal privacy laws (20 USC 1232g) and directly affects students, parents, and school staff in implementing name/pronoun changes.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 52 updates access rules for historical birth records by changing the date cutoff from September 30, 1907, to "January 1 of the year that is 100 years prior to the request date." This means records for births occurring before that date (e.g., requests in 2024 would cover records before 1924) become more accessible. The bill requires uncertified copies of these older records to include a "not for identity purposes" notice and clarifies that written requests with fees are needed for access. It directly affects individuals seeking historical birth records and ensures consistent handling of these documents across state and local registrars.
Maddy summarySB 90 amends Wisconsin's tax code to limit the sales and use tax exemption for residential electricity and natural gas to the winter months of November through April. This change directly affects homeowners and renters who use these utilities for heating during the colder months. The bill modifies an existing statute to specify that the tax exemption applies only during these six months, rather than year-round. It does not alter the tax rate itself but restricts the period when the exemption applies. The bill is currently in committee review after being introduced in March 2025.
Maddy summarySJR 19 is a commemorative resolution honoring the late Representative Jonathan Brostoff, who served in the Wisconsin Assembly (2014-2023) and Milwaukee Common Council (2022-2024). The resolution recognizes his advocacy for criminal justice reform, disability rights, and community service, including his volunteer work with youth and veterans' organizations. It formally expresses the Wisconsin Legislature's condolences to his family and extends recognition for his public service. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or affect policy.
Maddy summarySB 18 standardizes how schools and districts are rated in annual accountability reports by maintaining consistent scoring methods. It requires using the same cut scores, score ranges, and performance categories (like "Proficient" or "Advanced") that were applied in the 2019-20 school year for all schools and districts. For grades 3-8 English/language arts and math tests, it mandates alignment with National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) standards, while grades 9-11 will use scoring from the 2021-22 school year. This bill directly affects public schools and districts in the state that receive these accountability reports. The changes apply starting with the 2025-26 school year.
Maddy summarySB 104 requires all public and private schools to develop and maintain a drinking water management plan within 16 months of the law's effective date. The plan must specify locations for filtered bottle-filling stations (at least one per 100 occupants) or filtered faucets, detail water sampling schedules for lead (≤5 parts per billion) and certain chemicals, and outline filter replacement procedures. Schools must test filtered water regularly and immediately shut off outlets if lead exceeds 5 ppb or chemicals exceed standards, posting clear notices until resolved. The law applies directly to school boards and governing bodies managing schools, with no new state funding provided for implementation.
Maddy summarySB 6 modifies vehicle impoundment rules for traffic offenses by requiring law enforcement to check if an impounded vehicle was reported stolen before returning it to the owner. If stolen, the vehicle must be returned without fees, and if unclaimed for over 90 days, it may be disposed of like an abandoned vehicle. The bill directly affects law enforcement agencies handling impoundments and vehicle owners whose vehicles were used in traffic offenses. Key provisions mandate theft verification, waive fees for stolen vehicles, and clarify disposal procedures after 90 days. This changes administrative processes but does not alter the underlying traffic offenses or penalties.
Maddy summarySB 91 upgrades penalties for child trafficking by imposing mandatory life imprisonment without parole when the crime involves three or more child victims. It applies to individuals who recruit, transport, or exploit children for commercial sex acts (as defined by existing law), as well as those who benefit financially from such trafficking. The bill amends statutes to classify these offenses as Class A felonies with no possibility of parole or extended supervision. This change directly affects convicted traffickers and their enablers, ensuring life sentences for repeat or large-scale cases involving multiple minors.
Maddy summarySenate Bill 129 establishes a "right to repair" for motor vehicles, aiming to give owners and independent repair facilities greater access to necessary information and tools. It prohibits motor vehicle manufacturers from creating technological or legal barriers that prevent owners and repairers from accessing vehicle-generated data and critical repair information, including diagnostics, software, and parts catalogs. The bill requires manufacturers to provide this data and information directly and wirelessly, and at a fair cost, while also preventing them from mandating specific brands of parts or tools for repairs. This allows owners and independent repair shops to diagnose, service, and maintain vehicles in a manner similar to manufacturers or dealerships.
Maddy summarySenate Bill 174 establishes state regulations for health plans regarding preexisting conditions and benefit limits. It would prevent individual and group health plans from denying coverage or imposing exclusions based on an individual's preexisting health condition. The bill also prohibits lifetime and annual dollar limits on benefits and sets rules for how premium rates can vary for individual and small employer plans. These provisions would only take effect if federal Affordable Care Act regulations related to these issues are no longer enforceable or preempt state law.