Sen. LaTonya Johnson

Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 43 is a commemorative resolution that officially congratulates the Wauwatosa West Boys Basketball Team and Coach Christopher Newbauer for winning the 2025 Division II State Basketball Championship. The resolution commends the team for their achievement and successful season.

Maddy summarySJR 13 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Patrick Fuller, former Wisconsin Assembly Chief Clerk, who passed away in January 2025. It recognizes his 25-year U.S. military career (including service in the Marines and Army, with combat deployments) and his 20-year tenure managing Assembly operations across multiple legislative sessions. The resolution, introduced by numerous legislators, formally expresses the legislature's condolences to his family and extends tribute to his public service. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but serves as a formal acknowledgment of his contributions.

Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 56 proclaims April 20 to 26, 2025, as National Infertility Awareness Week in Wisconsin. The resolution highlights that infertility affects one in six individuals and recognizes it as a disease, impacting women and men equally. It affirms the legal right of patients with infertility to undergo treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other fertility options. The resolution also rejects the concept of embryonic or fetal "personhood" and encourages participation with RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association.

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 summaryThis bill (SJR 60) is a symbolic resolution that formally proclaims June 6, 2025, as "Gun Violence Awareness Day" in Wisconsin. It does not create new laws or policies but uses the legislature's authority to recognize gun violence as a critical public health issue, citing statistics on firearm deaths and injuries in Wisconsin (including 741 annual gun deaths, 64% suicides, and 1,500 annual injuries). The resolution aims to raise public awareness and align with broader efforts to address gun violence, as noted in its "whereas" clauses referencing national and state data. It directly affects all Wisconsin residents by designating a specific day for community reflection and education on the topic.

Maddy summarySB 64 increases penalties for harming police or fire department animals used in official duties. It creates three escalating offenses: intentional injury causing harm is a Class A misdemeanor, intentional injury causing death is a Class H G felony, and intentional injury causing death is a Class I H felony. The law specifically targets individuals who knowingly harm working animals (like police dogs or fire department horses) while aware of their official role. This directly affects anyone who intentionally harms these animals during their service, with penalties based on the severity of the outcome (injury or death). The bill does not cover accidental harm or animals not performing official duties.

Maddy summarySB 251 requires specific health insurance plans - including those offered by state/local governments - to cover asthma prescription drugs and related medical supplies (like inhalers) without deductibles. It caps patient out-of-pocket costs at $25 per month for asthma medications and $50 per month for related supplies, preventing higher costs as treatment needs increase. This applies to limited service health organizations, preferred provider plans, and defined network plans covering asthma treatment. The bill takes effect for new policy years starting after its enactment, ensuring consistent affordability for covered asthma care.

Maddy summarySJR 74 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing June 19, 2025, as Juneteenth Day in Wisconsin. It formally declares this date to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States, referencing the historical event when Union troops announced freedom to enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865. The resolution highlights Wisconsin's longstanding Juneteenth celebration tradition, dating to Milwaukee's first observance in 1971, and acknowledges Juneteenth's national significance as a federal holiday since 2021. This resolution has no legal effect beyond symbolic recognition and does not create new laws or funding.

Maddy summarySB 320 creates $2 million in annual state funding for grants to school boards to provide LGBTQIA+ rights training for school counselors and social workers. The bill requires the Department of Public Instruction to award these grants for training programs developed or approved by the department. It directly affects school counselors, social workers, and school boards across the state, with the training focusing on supporting LGBTQIA+ students. The legislation specifies that "LGBTQIA+" includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and other nonheterosexual or noncisgender identities.

Maddy summarySB 322 creates a new Child Care Quality Improvement Program within the Department of Children and Families. It provides $221 million in annual funding (for 2025-26) to make monthly payments and per-child payments to certified child care providers, licensed child care centers, and school-based child care programs. The bill establishes rules for eligibility, payment amounts, and how funds must be used, while repealing outdated sections of law related to child care funding. The program is funded through specific appropriations in the state budget, with rules to be developed by the Department of Children and Families.