Sen. Jesse James

Maddy summarySenate Bill 73 prevents individuals under the age of 18 from being prosecuted for committing an act of prostitution. It amends current law to explicitly state that a person under 18 cannot be charged under the statute defining this offense (944.30 (1m)). The bill also makes conforming changes to other statutes, removing requirements for DNA collection and certain expungement provisions that would otherwise apply to offenses under this section for minors. This legislation establishes a non-prosecutorial approach for minors involved in acts of prostitution.

Maddy summarySB 299 creates a state grant program to help law enforcement agencies buy automated registration plate reader systems (high-speed cameras that scan license plates and convert data). The bill requires at least half of the grant funds to go to agencies in rural areas (defined as communities under 20,000 people at least 15 miles from larger cities). Law enforcement agencies applying for grants must submit a detailed spending plan for review by the Department of Justice. This program directly affects local police departments, sheriffs' offices, and tribal law enforcement in rural communities seeking to enhance public safety technology.

Maddy summarySB 280 redirects $172 million in interest earned from coronavirus state and local fiscal recovery funds to the general fund. It directly affects the state's budget by moving existing interest funds that would otherwise remain in the department of administration's appropriation. The bill's key mechanism is a fiscal adjustment under section 20.906(1), lapsing these funds to the general fund upon the bill's effective date. This is a procedural budget reallocation, not a new policy or program.

Maddy summarySB 303 creates a grant program to fund technical colleges in developing detailed digital maps of their campus buildings for law enforcement use. These maps must include specific location details like room numbers, floors, and building layouts to help first responders during emergencies, and must work with existing public safety technology without requiring additional software purchases. The Office of School Safety will administer the grants, accepting applications from technical college leaders working with local law enforcement. The bill also requires an annual report tracking grant funding and how the maps are used.

Maddy summarySB 308 allocates $1 million in state funding to Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan to purchase and renovate an existing facility in Chippewa Falls. The grant will create a 50-bed treatment center specifically for men with substance use disorders who need recovery services. The bill directs the Department of Administration to award this grant in the 2025-26 fiscal year. It directly affects men in Chippewa Falls seeking substance use treatment by providing a dedicated facility. The key mechanism is the state grant covering facility acquisition and renovation costs.

Maddy summarySB 245 establishes a two-year pilot program for school-centered mental health services at two selected schools (one rural, one urban) to support at-risk students and families. The bill requires participating schools to offer existing behavioral health resources and allow surveys/data sharing, while mandating providers to deliver year-round therapy, family coaching, classroom observations, and community resource connections. Funding from the Department of Health Services covers full-time therapist and family coach positions at these schools, with providers required to report on improvements in students' mental health symptoms, social needs, and academic/social-emotional growth. The pilot aims to evaluate how integrated school-based mental health services impact student well-being and academic outcomes before potential expansion.

Maddy summarySB 307 creates a new state grant program to fund crisis intervention services for people contacting the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline from within the state. The bill directs the state department to award grants to organizations providing crisis care coordination to individuals who call or text 988. These grants specifically support services for callers who are residents of the state, regardless of where they physically are when contacting the national hotline. The law defines "national crisis hotline" as 988 or its successor under federal law, ensuring state funding aligns with the existing national system.

Maddy summarySB 306 requires the University of Wisconsin (UW) System Board to contract with a vendor providing virtual mental health services for students at UW institutions with 30,000 or fewer full-time undergraduate students (based on April 1 enrollment data). The services must complement existing campus mental health resources, extend support beyond regular hours, and include licensed providers with higher education experience. Vendors must have at least five years of experience in student mental health services and submit annual reports on student usage to the board and legislature. This bill directly affects eligible UW students and aims to expand access to virtual mental health support through a structured vendor partnership.

Maddy summarySB 236 is a technical amendment to update the bill's language from "broadband service" to "wireless service" in multiple sections. It does not create new penalties or change existing legal requirements for tampering with telecommunication or electric wires. The bill directly affects how the law references service types in its text, aligning terminology with modern technology. This is a procedural correction with no substantive policy impact, as the bill only adjusts wording in existing legal references. The measure was reported out of committee unanimously but was later laid on the table without further action.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 71 ratifies the Dietitian Licensure Compact, a multi-state agreement designed to streamline the licensing process for dietitians. This bill allows licensed dietitians in participating states to practice in other compact member states by obtaining a "compact privilege" instead of a full separate license. It establishes a dietitian licensure compact commission and amends various state statutes to recognize this new privilege, affecting dietitians and their ability to practice across state lines.