Sen. Cory Tomczyk

Maddy summarySB 363 allows certified child care operators to provide care for up to six children under age 7 without needing a full child care center license. This directly affects certified home-based providers who currently face licensing requirements for caring for four or more young children. The bill creates a new exception in state law, permitting certified operators to care for six children regardless of family relationship, with adjusted limits if three or more children are under age 2 (e.g., caring for three children under 2 allows a total of five children). It reduces regulatory barriers for small-scale, certified providers while maintaining safety thresholds based on children's ages. The change modifies existing licensing rules under Wisconsin statutes to expand permitted care capacity.

Maddy summarySB 359 sets a minimum age of 16 for assistant child care teachers in licensed Wisconsin child care centers. It requires these assistants to complete specific early childhood education training (such as two credits, a non-credit course, or an approved program) within six months of starting their role. The bill also allows trained assistants aged 18 or older to provide limited sole supervision during specific times - like opening/closing hours or naptime in full-day centers, or short periods in school-age programs - when a lead teacher is present. This directly affects child care centers hiring assistants and ensures they meet defined training standards.

Maddy summarySB 94 creates a new civil cause of action for people injured or whose property was damaged during riots or vandalism. It allows victims to sue not only the person who committed the violent act but also anyone who provided "material support" (like weapons, funds, or equipment) with the intent to help commit the offense. The bill establishes a legal presumption that property damage was a natural consequence of the riot/vandalism, making it easier for victims to recover repair costs and other damages. It also prohibits government officials from restricting law enforcement’s authority to arrest participants or quell such activities. This directly affects victims, perpetrators, material supporters, and law enforcement agencies across the state.

Maddy summarySB 383 requires hospitals to publish clear pricing information for "shoppable services" (like surgeries and imaging) in a machine-readable format, including standard charges, negotiated rates with insurers, and discounted cash prices. This applies to all hospitals not specifically exempted (e.g., psychiatric or correctional facilities) and aims to help patients compare costs before receiving care. The bill also includes restrictions on certain aggressive debt collection practices against patients and establishes penalties for noncompliance with transparency requirements.

Maddy summarySB 140 creates a provisional certification pathway for social workers who haven’t passed the national licensing exam. It allows individuals to obtain a temporary certificate (valid for 36 months) after applying, paying fees, and passing a state law exam, enabling them to practice under supervision while completing required training. The bill requires 37.5 hours of supervised practice (including 25 hours of in-person one-on-one supervision) within the first 2,000 hours of practice, with no renewal option for provisional status. This directly affects new social work professionals seeking licensure after failing the national exam, streamlining their transition to full certification upon completing supervision. The bill modifies existing statutes to establish these provisional requirements and their conversion to permanent credentials.

Maddy summarySB 384 requires health care providers to provide the same standard of care and immediate hospital transport for any child born alive after an abortion or attempted abortion, as they would for any newborn of the same gestational age. Violating these requirements is a Class H felony, but the mother cannot be prosecuted for the incident. The bill also allows affected women to seek triple the cost of the abortion as civil damages, plus attorney fees, while protecting their identity through court confidentiality orders. It explicitly states the law does not create or recognize a right to abortion.

Maddy summarySB 75 creates a process for randomly assigning court venue in lawsuits where a government entity (such as a state official, agency, or legislative body) is a party. If filed in a first or second-class city, any party can request this random assignment within 5 days of filing or service, triggering a clerk to randomly select another circuit court. Once assigned, the venue is final and cannot be changed, and a fee applies for this option. The bill directly affects lawsuits involving government defendants or intervenors in specific cities, altering standard venue rules for these cases.

Maddy summarySB 415 exempts qualifying farm owners from needing a campground license to operate small-scale camping on their agricultural land. It directly affects farmers who run campgrounds on their own property, limiting exemptions to farms with only one campground containing three or fewer campsites. The bill defines "farm" as land primarily used for agriculture, and specifies that only farms meeting these criteria can operate without a license under existing campground regulations. This change simplifies licensing for small, farm-based camping operations while maintaining regulatory oversight for larger or commercial campgrounds.

Maddy summarySB 79 creates a new formal process for parents to permanently relinquish parental rights in adoption cases through a standardized "affidavit of disclaimer." It directly affects parents (including minors) considering adoption, requiring them to complete a specific affidavit within 120 hours after a child's birth but before the first birthday, with mothers unable to sign before birth. Key provisions include strict revocation windows (72 hours for mothers, up to 120 hours for fathers), mandatory counseling disclosures, and detailed requirements for the affidavit's content, such as confirming the child's status and informing parents of permanent legal consequences. The bill ensures the affidavit becomes irrevocable after specified deadlines unless obtained through fraud or duress, and no legal challenge can be filed more than three months after signing.

Maddy summarySB 21 creates tax incentives to encourage businesses in Wisconsin to transition to employee ownership. It provides a credit covering up to 70% of conversion costs (capped at $100,000) for worker-owned cooperatives and 50% for employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), plus a deduction for capital gains from such business transfers. These benefits apply to business owners converting ownership to employee-controlled structures where employees own more than 50% of the business. The bill also establishes an education program to support employee ownership transitions, effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.