Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevara

Maddy summarySB 83 creates exceptions to prior authorization requirements for antipsychotic drugs under the state's Medical Assistance program (Medicaid). It specifies four situations where prior approval isn't needed for recipients aged 18+: if the drug was previously approved at a different dose, the recipient was recently enrolled after 30 days of continuous use, prior authorization expired after 60 days of continuous use, or the recipient was stabilized on the drug after a recent hospital discharge. The bill does not override federal Medicaid rules. It directly affects Medicaid recipients prescribed antipsychotic medications who meet these specific criteria.

Maddy summarySB 578 allows designated patient representatives to consent to health care facility admissions for individuals who cannot manage their own health care decisions (incapacitated) without requiring a court-appointed guardian or protective placement petition. The bill mandates that incapacity be certified by two physicians or one physician and one advanced practice clinician, excluding individuals diagnosed with developmental disability or mental illness. Patient representatives can make health care decisions, enroll the individual in Medical Assistance, and authorize health care costs until the individual is no longer deemed incapacitated or a court appoints a guardian. This streamlines consent for eligible patients while maintaining medical oversight and avoiding traditional guardianship processes.

Maddy summarySB 418 creates a sales and use tax exemption for ski lift operators in Wisconsin. It specifically exempts the purchase, storage, use, or consumption of ski lifts, related machines, equipment, and parts used exclusively for operating ski lifts from state sales and use taxes. This bill directly affects ski resorts and mountain operations that purchase or maintain ski lift infrastructure. The exemption applies to qualifying equipment purchases and is effective starting the first day of the third month following publication. The bill was recently recommended for passage by the Agriculture and Revenue Committee.

Maddy summarySB 305 creates a new grant program providing up to $300,000 annually for mental health clubhouses, with individual clubhouses eligible for up to $50,000 per year. The bill directly affects nonresidential mental health clubhouses that support individuals diagnosed with or awaiting diagnosis for mental illness (but do not provide medical treatment), requiring them to meet specific criteria like matching grant funds, maintaining separate facilities, and ensuring voluntary membership. Key provisions include annual funding limits, mandatory member diagnosis requirements, and a requirement that clubhouses raise matching funds equal to the requested grant amount. The program expires on June 30, 2030, and is codified under new sections 20.435(5)(bk) and 46.67 of the statutes.

Maddy summarySB 92 increases penalties for repeat theft offenses by creating new sentencing provisions. It allows prosecutors to charge and convict individuals with a Class I felony for certain misdemeanors if they have prior convictions for specific theft crimes under sections 943.20(3)(a)-(cm) or 943.50(4)(a)-(c). Similarly, it elevates felony charges to a higher classification when prior theft convictions exist. The bill applies to offenses committed on its effective date but permits counting prior convictions toward sentencing. It directly affects repeat offenders of specified theft offenses by imposing harsher penalties.

Maddy summarySJR 4 proposes a constitutional amendment to protect religious gatherings during emergencies. It would amend the state constitution to prohibit state or local governments from closing places of worship or banning gatherings there during a declared state of emergency, including public health crises. This directly affects religious organizations and government entities with emergency authority. The amendment requires voter approval in the November 2026 election, with the ballot question asking if the constitution should be changed to prevent closures of places of worship during emergencies. It is a proposed constitutional change, not a law.

Maddy summarySB 203 regulates pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) by requiring them to pay pharmacies within 30 days for electronic claims and 60 days for paper claims. It mandates that claims for 340B drugs (federally discounted medications) include specific identifiers for processing. The bill also prohibits PBMs from forcing pharmacies to join multiple networks or penalizing them for declining to join such networks. These provisions directly affect PBMs, pharmacies, and prescribers within the state’s health insurance system.

Maddy summarySB 170 creates a new option for Wisconsin state retirees who return to work: they can choose to keep receiving their retirement annuity for up to 60 months (non-consecutive) instead of having it automatically suspended. To qualify, retirees must have separated from a state job at least 75 days prior, not have a pre-existing agreement to return to work, and elect not to become a participating employee. If they choose this option, their new employer must pay the Wisconsin Retirement System the same contributions they would have made as an active employee. This bill directly affects retirees who return to state employment after separation, changing the default rule from automatic annuity suspension to this voluntary arrangement.

Maddy summarySB 611 clarifies teachers' authority to manage classrooms and respond to disruptions, requiring them to notify school principals within 24 hours of removing a student for disruptive behavior, violent incidents, or safety risks. It mandates that school principals place removed students in alternative settings unless a behavior intervention plan (BIP) exists for repeat offenders or safety incidents, and prohibits schools from retaliating against teachers who enforce classroom rules or report disruptions. The bill defines key terms like "disruptive behavior" and "violent incident" to standardize responses, while creating new protections for teachers facing disciplinary action related to student conduct. These changes directly affect teachers, students, and school administrators by establishing clearer procedures for classroom management and student re-entry.

Maddy summarySB 616 requires all public and charter schools to implement math screening tests three times yearly for students in kindergarten through 8th grade to identify those at risk of not meeting grade-level math standards. Schools must then provide approved math tutoring (aligned with classroom instruction and meeting specific time requirements) and develop personalized math plans for at-risk students within 30 days of identification. The bill also mandates schools to create achievement plans by July 2026, using data from screenings to set goals and include evidence-based teaching strategies. It establishes a state-approved list of high-quality tutoring providers and defines "quality tutoring" as requiring at least 3 days per week or 50 hours over 36 weeks. The law directly affects elementary and middle school students, schools where fewer than 51% of 4th graders met math standards, and tutoring providers seeking state recognition.