Sen. Melissa Ratcliff

Maddy summarySB 350 creates state funding to help schools increase mental health staff. Starting in the 2026-27 school year, school districts, charter schools, and participating private schools can receive 50% reimbursement for additional spending on counselors, social workers, psychologists, and nurses compared to the prior year. The bill adds $16.5 million for 2025-26 and $18 million for 2026-27 to this program. This directly supports schools seeking to expand mental health services for students.

Maddy summarySJR 67 is a resolution honoring Anna Mae Robertson, a Milwaukee resident and member of the historic 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion (the "Six Triple Eight") during World War II. It recognizes her service in clearing a 17-million-piece mail backlog in England in 1945, her post-war work as a nurse's aide in Milwaukee, and her legacy as one of the last surviving members of the all-Black, all-female battalion. The resolution formally acknowledges her contributions, extends condolences to her family following her death at age 101, and commemorates her recognition with service medals and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2025.

Maddy summarySJR 72 is a non-binding resolution that officially designates June 2025 as "Immigrant Heritage Month" in Wisconsin. It does not create new laws or policies but serves as a symbolic proclamation to honor the contributions of immigrants to Wisconsin's history, economy, and communities. The resolution highlights that immigrants contribute significantly to Wisconsin's workforce, economy (including $1.2 billion in annual state/local taxes), and key sectors like agriculture and technology. This designation applies statewide and aims to foster unity and recognition of immigrant contributions, without altering legal status or creating new programs.

Maddy summarySB 353 creates a procedure for Wisconsin to pause state payments to the federal government if federal aid to the state is withheld under a presidential executive order or court order. The state secretary must calculate the lost federal aid, report it to the governor and legislature within 60 days, and then withhold up to that amount from upcoming state payments to the federal government over the next year. Payments to the federal government are restored once the withheld federal aid is fully returned. This bill directly affects state financial transactions with the federal government and applies when federal aid is blocked through specific legal or executive actions.

Maddy summarySB 355 creates a new legal pathway for individuals whose constitutional rights (under U.S. or state law) were violated by government actors acting "under color of law" (e.g., police, officials). It allows affected people to sue for damages, injunctions, or other relief against the violating party, including government entities. The bill specifically requires courts to award reasonable attorney fees to winning plaintiffs and sets a 6-year deadline to file such lawsuits. This directly affects anyone facing rights violations by government officials, providing a clear legal remedy where none existed previously under the cited statutes.

Maddy summarySB 354 authorizes the state to place liens on federal properties within the state if federal aid is unlawfully withheld under a presidential executive order or court order violation. The bill requires the state secretary to calculate the withheld aid amount, identify eligible federal properties, and request the attorney general to secure liens up to that value. It mandates a 60-day report to the legislature detailing the aid loss and property locations. The liens would automatically release once the withheld federal aid is restored.

Maddy summarySB 342 requires certain health insurance plans - including preferred provider plans, limited service health organizations, and government health plans (like those for state/local employees) - to cover at least 28 mental health or substance use treatment visits per year, or as many as needed to meet a patient’s treatment goals. It prohibits insurers from requiring pre-approval (prior authorization) for this coverage. If an actuarial analysis shows the policy changes would raise costs for insurers by more than 10%, the requirement may be delayed. The bill applies to policies starting in the first policy year after its effective date, with specific timelines for government plans affected by collective bargaining agreements.

Maddy summarySB 346 creates a state grant program to help prospective school social workers cover education costs for licensure. It specifically targets individuals from racial minority groups (including Black Americans, American Indians, Hispanic individuals, Asian/Pacific Islander individuals, or multiracial people) who are either school employees or enrolled in relevant graduate programs. The bill appropriates $5 million annually for 2025-26 and 2026-27 to fund these grants, with the Department of Public Instruction administering the program and establishing necessary rules. This directly affects eligible prospective school social workers seeking licensure, not current professionals or other school staff.

Maddy summarySB 352 creates a $5 million annual grant program to help school districts hire mental health professionals who are members of racial minority groups. It directly affects school districts (which apply for grants) and mental health professionals from specified racial minority groups, including Black Americans, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Hispanics, Asians, Pacific Islanders, and multiracial individuals. The bill requires the state education department to administer the grants and develop rules for implementation, with funding allocated for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years. The policy change focuses on increasing access to culturally representative mental health support in schools through targeted hiring.

Maddy summarySB 347 creates a new state grant program to reimburse school districts and charter schools for comprehensive mental health services provided to students. It covers eligible costs like mental health literacy programs, telehealth services, parent training, mental health navigators, and equipment for telehealth, but excludes direct treatment costs or staff salaries for non-mental health roles. Reimbursement is capped at $100,000 per school or $100 per enrolled student annually, with a $83.888 million appropriation for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. The bill directly affects public schools and charter schools by providing funding for in-school and out-of-school mental health support.