Maddy summarySB 380 eliminates three specific criminal defenses (adequate provocation, self-defense, and not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect) when a defendant claims the defense was based on the victim’s actual or perceived gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. Key provisions explicitly bar these defenses in cases involving romantic advances without force, past relationships, or disclosures of the victim’s identity. The bill directly affects criminal defendants who attempt to justify violence using prejudice against LGBTQ+ identities as a legal argument. It applies to offenses committed on or after the bill’s effective date, removing these defenses from Wisconsin’s criminal code without altering the underlying crimes.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySJR 73 is a symbolic resolution recognizing June 2025 as LGBTQ Pride Month in Wisconsin. It does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the state's history of LGBTQ equality efforts and the ongoing importance of Pride Month. The resolution highlights Wisconsin's 1982 anti-discrimination law, its LGBTQ legislative representation, and the significance of Pride Month for fostering inclusion. It has no direct impact on individuals or existing laws, as it is purely a ceremonial recognition.
Maddy summarySB 271 establishes a fundamental right to abortion under Wisconsin law (253.094), stating individuals have the right to bodily autonomy and access abortion at any pregnancy stage if medically necessary. It mandates abortion coverage in all state health plans offering maternity care (40.51(9m)), repeals parental consent requirements for minors (46.245), and eliminates gestational age limits and "medical emergency" restrictions (253.107, 253.10). The bill directly affects patients seeking abortion care, healthcare providers, and insurers offering state-sponsored health plans. It removes existing regulatory barriers while requiring coverage for abortion services without new funding mandates.
Maddy summarySB 301 revises Wisconsin's retirement rules for state retirees who return to work. It removes the previous requirement that rehired retirees must work a minimum percentage of full-time hours (one-third for those retired before July 1, 2011; two-thirds for others) to remain covered by the retirement system. Instead, the bill requires rehired retirees to file a written election to be included as participating employees, which triggers the suspension of their retirement annuity. The bill also repeals outdated provisions related to time limits for applying for retirement benefits after rehire.
Maddy summarySB 343 requires state highway departments to include bike paths and pedestrian pathways in all new highway construction or reconstruction projects funded by state or federal money. It creates specific exceptions allowing projects to skip these features only if the cost exceeds 20% of the total project budget, if they would cause excessive harm in a tight space, if there's no community need, or if a local community refuses to maintain them. The bill directs the state transportation department to create rules defining these exceptions, with a requirement for a senior official to review cost-based exceptions. This policy directly affects state highway planning and project developers working with state or federal funds.
Maddy summarySB 402 designates *Lactococcus lactis* (a bacterium used in dairy fermentation) as Wisconsin’s official state microbe. The bill amends Wisconsin statutes to add this designation to the list of state symbols included in the Wisconsin Blue Book, alongside items like the state song, bird, and tree. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, programs, or people - only formally recognizes this microbe as a symbolic representation of Wisconsin. This is a ceremonial measure, consistent with similar bills naming state symbols.
Maddy summarySB 321 updates legal language across numerous statutes to use gender-neutral terms, replacing references like "husband and wife" with "spouses" or "parents." It directly affects marriage, family, and parental rights by ensuring laws apply equally regardless of gender identity. Key provisions include amending provisions related to fishing licenses, marriage certificates, adoption, and child custody to remove gender-specific language. The bill makes no new policy changes but aligns existing legal terminology with inclusive language. This affects all residents covered by the amended statutes, including same-sex couples and non-binary individuals.
Maddy summarySB 404 creates a Task Force on Missing and Murdered African American Women and Girls, directly affecting African American women and girls experiencing violence in Wisconsin. The task force, established by the attorney general within 45 days, will examine systemic causes of violence against this group, data collection methods, policing and institutional practices, and prevention strategies. It must submit a report by December 15, 2026, with recommendations for policy changes, violence reduction, and victim support. The bill appropriates $80,200 for fiscal year 2025-26 and $99,500 for 2026-27 to fund the task force, which terminates on January 1, 2027, or after the report is submitted.
Maddy summarySB 401 requires employer-sponsored disability insurance policies and self-insured health plans to cover maternity and newborn care as an essential health benefit, directly affecting employees and their families. The bill mandates coverage with minimal or no out-of-pocket costs, prohibits discrimination in coverage decisions based on disability or life expectancy, and directs the Insurance Commissioner to set specific benefit standards through rules. The Commissioner must base these standards on typical employer coverage surveys and update them periodically to address gaps in access. This applies to most employer health plans but excludes certain disability policies described in existing law.
Maddy summarySB 329 creates a $700,000 annual grant program to train law enforcement on filing extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), which temporarily restrict firearm access for individuals deemed a risk to themselves or others. The bill amends background check requirements to include searches for active ERPOs under Section 813.124, ensuring courts and law enforcement verify if applicants are subject to such orders before firearm purchases. It also clarifies court procedures for ERPO cases, including venue rules and extensions of temporary orders when judges are reassigned. This bill directly affects law enforcement agencies (through training grants), courts (via updated procedures), and individuals subject to ERPOs.