Sen. Jesse James

Maddy summarySB 260 establishes certification requirements for surgical technologists working in hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers. It mandates that individuals performing surgical technology tasks must either complete an accredited educational program and hold national certification, have been employed before December 31, 2027, or meet specific military or federal service criteria. The law includes a 24-month grace period for those completing education but not yet certified, and excludes cardiac radiology, dental auxiliaries, and optometry from these rules. The bill takes effect January 1, 2028, directly affecting healthcare facilities and surgical technologists seeking employment.

Maddy summarySB 145 establishes a process for Wisconsin to add federal newborn screening recommendations to its state-required list. It requires the Department of Health Services (DHS) to evaluate new federal disorders within 18 months, conduct annual reviews of excluded disorders, and begin rule-making to include them if appropriate. The bill grants DHS authority to create new screening rules and exempts these rules from standard emergency rule procedures. It directly affects newborns in Wisconsin by potentially expanding screening tests for certain disorders, with testing for newly added disorders required to begin within six months of rule publication. The law applies to federal recommendations approved after January 1, 2025, and includes specific timelines for evaluation and implementation.

Maddy summarySB 180 modifies Wisconsin's housing programs under the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA). It allows WHEDA to offer loans with interest rates at or below market rate minus 1% (or no interest) and requires newly constructed workforce or senior housing to remain affordable for 10 years after initial occupancy. For owner-occupied homes, it restricts resale prices to the original purchase price plus annual inflation (capped at 5% per year), with these rules recorded on property deeds and published online by WHEDA. The bill directly affects developers receiving WHEDA loans and future homeowners purchasing qualifying affordable housing units, applying to new loans starting January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 323 establishes a state program providing no-interest loans to eligible dairy farms for specific upgrades. It directly affects dairy operations with 50-714 cows that meet strict criteria, including 98% in-state workforce, no recent environmental or safety violations, and legal employment compliance. Loans can fund technologies to improve milk production efficiency, animal health, milk quality, or reduce environmental impacts from manure management. The program prioritizes applicants creating new skilled jobs or reducing environmental effects per gallon of milk produced. The bill creates a formal process for applications and administration through the state corporation, with a fiscal estimate received as of July 2025.

Maddy summarySB 492 requires health insurance plans and self-insured employers to cover nonopioid pain treatment options equally with opioids. It mandates coverage for at least two nonopioid prescription drugs (approved by the FDA and not controlled substances) and three non-drug pain management options, such as physical therapy. The bill prohibits health plans from imposing stricter prior authorization or step therapy rules on nonopioid drugs compared to opioids. It also requires annual public reporting of pain management coverage details on plan websites. This affects all health plans covering prescription drugs in Wisconsin, directly impacting patients seeking nonopioid pain treatment options.

Maddy summarySJR 90 is a symbolic resolution that declares January as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month in Wisconsin. It aims to increase public awareness about human trafficking, which the resolution describes as modern-day slavery targeting vulnerable groups like youth (with an average victim age of 12-15), people with disabilities, and those disconnected from support networks. The resolution emphasizes statewide recognition of trafficking in all 72 counties and encourages education to identify victims and support prevention efforts. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or allocate funding but serves as a formal statement of the state's commitment to addressing human trafficking.

Maddy summarySJR 99 is a symbolic resolution recognizing October 14, 2025, as "First Responders Appreciation Day" in Wisconsin. It honors all professional and volunteer police, fire, and emergency medical services personnel (including Wisconsin's over 4,800 career firefighters, 20,600 volunteer firefighters, 14,700 law enforcement officers, and 17,426 EMS personnel) for their daily service and risks. The resolution has no policy or legal effect - it merely declares a day of recognition through legislative proclamation. It does not create new requirements, funding, or changes to laws affecting first responders.

Maddy summarySB 407 creates a grant program to fund Rogers Behavioral Health's new integrated mental health facility in the Chippewa Valley. The bill requires Rogers to submit detailed certification plans for all service levels (inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient care) to meet state licensing requirements before receiving funds. It also mandates that the facility accept Medical Assistance recipients (Wisconsin's Medicaid program), admit involuntary patients within two years, and provide annual reports to the Department of Health Services for five years. This bill directly affects Rogers Behavioral Health and mental health patients in the Chippewa Valley region seeking comprehensive care.

Maddy summarySB 274 amends the statute governing the Controlled Substances Board by adding new voting members to its composition. It requires the board to include the chairpersons of five medical examining boards (pharmacy, medical, physician assistant, dentistry, and nursing) and two appointed experts - a psychiatrist and a pharmacologist - each serving 3-year terms. This change directly affects how the board is structured, ensuring representation from key medical licensing bodies and specialized health professionals. The bill focuses on updating the board's membership to include specific clinical expertise relevant to drug regulation, without altering its core responsibilities.

Maddy summarySB 115, as amended, requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to collect and report specific criminal case data. The bill mandates the DOJ to create an interactive dashboard, starting by January 1, 2026, to display a summary of this data. This dashboard will specifically include arrest charges from the arresting agency and will not contain any personally identifying information for criminal defendants. The goal is to provide accessible, summarized data on criminal cases.