Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special enrollment period for pregnant individuals in Wisconsin health insurance plans, allowing them to sign up for coverage at any time during their pregnancy rather than waiting for an open enrollment window. It directly affects health benefit plans, self-insured plans, and nonprofit cooperative health plans that operate under state insurance regulations. The key provision requires plans to cover pregnant individuals and their dependents starting from the first day of the month in which medical verification of pregnancy is received, with plans also required to notify enrollees about this option when first offered coverage. The bill applies to policies and plans beginning on January 1 of the year following its effective date, with special provisions for collective bargaining agreements.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill would allow local governments in Wisconsin to create rules governing how landlords and tenants handle lease renewals and property showings. It enables cities, villages, towns, and counties to require landlords to make good faith offers to renew leases unless there is a valid reason not to, and to set standards for determining what counts as valid reasons. The legislation also permits local ordinances to regulate when landlords can show properties to new tenants and to establish penalties for violations, including requiring relocation assistance for affected tenants. Additionally, the bill ensures that these local rules cannot be overridden by individual lease agreements.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a sales and use tax exemption for breast pumps, breast pump kits, and specific collection and storage supplies used during breastfeeding. It defines breast pumps to include the device and its power components, and specifies which supplies qualify for the exemption while excluding items like nursing bras, cleaning supplies, and non-specific bottles. The exemption applies to purchases made within the state and removes the requirement for sellers to obtain exemption certificates for these items. The tax exemption is set to expire on June 30, 2027, and the law takes effect on the first day of the third month after publication.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates new authority for the Wisconsin attorney general to investigate and sue individuals or entities for civil rights violations in housing, employment, education, and public accommodations. It allows the attorney general to conduct investigations requiring sworn statements, access to documents, and subpoenas when there is reasonable cause to believe a pattern of rights violations or a denial of rights with public importance has occurred. If violations are found, courts can order injunctive relief, award damages, and impose civil forfeiture penalties of up to $50,000 for first violations or $100,000 for subsequent violations within seven years. The bill also permits the attorney general to accept voluntary compliance agreements instead of pursuing litigation, though violations of such agreements remain subject to penalties.
Maddy summarySB 1108 establishes a framework for reimbursing certified doulas under the Medical Assistance program and requires hospitals and birthing centers to allow these doulas to accompany patients during labor and childbirth. The bill defines a certified doula as someone certified by a department-recognized organization and authorizes the state to seek federal waivers to cover doula services for pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum support. It mandates that healthcare facilities adopt policies permitting Medical Assistance recipients to have a doula of their choice present, while exempting doulas from facility guest quotas and requiring hospitals to publish relevant policies online. The legislation also includes liability protections for hospitals and requires doulas to provide written proof of certification when requested by healthcare facilities.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a clause to the state constitution that explicitly prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime where the person has been duly convicted. The amendment would modify the existing constitutional language to clarify that the exception for criminal punishment remains in place. If approved by voters, it would codify a long-standing legal principle into the state's fundamental law. The measure is currently in the legislative process and has not yet been adopted.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes reporting requirements for political committees that make mass communications, such as distributing 500 or more identical pieces of material, sending 500 or more identical emails, making 500 or more identical phone calls, or disseminating messages during the 60 days before an election. It requires political action committees, independent expenditure committees, political parties, and legislative campaign committees to file registration statements and detailed expenditure reports when they spend money on these mass communications. The bill defines specific thresholds and timing for when committees must register and report, ensuring transparency around spending on large-scale communications that appeal to voters to support or oppose candidates.
Maddy summaryThis bill limits when health insurance companies can demand repayment for claims they have already paid. It applies to disability insurance policies and various health care plans, including those offered by the state, counties, and other organizations. Under the bill, insurers can only request repayment within 12 months of making the initial payment, or 18 months if the claim involved coordination with other programs like Medicare or state medical assistance. The only exception is when the original claim was based on fraudulent information. The bill would take effect for policy years beginning on the date it is enacted, with special rules for plans covered by collective bargaining agreements.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates new criminal penalties and civil remedies for intentionally disrupting access to reproductive health service facilities or places of religious worship. It prohibits actions such as using force or physical obstruction to injure, intimidate, or interfere with individuals seeking or providing reproductive health services, as well as damaging property at these locations. Violations are classified as a Class A misdemeanor for first offenses and a Class I felony for repeat offenses. The legislation also allows affected individuals and entities to file civil lawsuits seeking injunctive relief, damages, and attorney fees, while permitting prosecutors to seek civil forfeitures ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 depending on the severity and frequency of the violation.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers in Wisconsin to provide reasonable break time and a private, shielded space for breastfeeding employees to express breast milk for children under one year of age. The law mandates access to electrical outlets, running water, and refrigeration for milk storage, while allowing unpaid break time unless the employee remains partially on duty. Employers with fewer than 50 employees may claim an undue hardship exemption if compliance would cause significant difficulty or expense. The bill also prohibits discrimination or retaliation against employees who take these breaks and establishes a complaint process through the state department for enforcement.