Sen. LaTonya Johnson

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state minimum wage of $15 per hour while allowing local governments to enact their own minimum wage ordinances. It creates a system where the state department of labor can set lower wages for specific groups like agricultural workers, camp counselors, and students, and can exempt certain casual employment arrangements. The minimum wage will automatically adjust annually based on changes in the consumer price index, unless inflation shows no increase. The legislation also prohibits the state from setting different minimum wages for men and women.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance policies and plans in Wisconsin to cover maternal mental health screenings for each pregnancy, while also allowing the Medical Assistance program to reimburse these screenings. The legislation mandates that screening standards be developed in consultation with organizations led by Black, Indigenous, and other persons of color, and permits licensed midwives, nurse-midwives, advanced practice registered nurses, and other qualified healthcare providers to administer the screenings. Additionally, the bill requires state disability insurance policies and self-insured health plans that include maternity coverage to include these screenings. The law takes effect on the day after publication, with specific provisions for collective bargaining agreements to apply when new or renewed.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the building commission to allocate $1,000,000 from building trust funds to create preliminary plans for expanding mother-young child care facilities within the state women's correctional system. The funding is intended to evaluate infrastructure needs and develop specifications for a prison nursery program that would allow eligible inmates and their children to reside together in correctional institutions. The proposed expansion aims to support infant development and provide comprehensive postpartum care for incarcerated mothers. The legislation also requires the development of plans to enable bonding, breastfeeding, and nurturing between mothers and their children while in custody.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to join an interstate compact that would allow states to elect the U.S. president and vice president based on the national popular vote rather than the Electoral College. It would take effect only when enough states have joined the agreement to collectively hold a majority of Electoral College votes. The bill amends state election laws to implement the compact's provisions, which require member states to count all popular votes nationwide and award all Electoral College votes to the candidate who wins the most popular votes across all participating states. The agreement includes provisions for state withdrawal, dispute resolution in case of ties, and termination if the Electoral College is abolished.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits employers from including clauses in employment contracts that require former employees to refrain from speaking negatively about their former employers after leaving the job. The law declares such nondisparagement provisions illegal, void, and unenforceable as unreasonable restraints on trade. Employers must also post a notice in conspicuous locations and on their websites informing current and former employees that these clauses are not legally binding. The restrictions apply to contracts entered into, extended, modified, or renewed on the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill would prohibit the state from seeking reimbursement from alleged fathers for pregnancy and birth expenses already paid by the Medical Assistance program for unmarried mothers who were recipients of that program at the time of birth. The legislation amends existing statutes to prevent courts from ordering alleged fathers to repay these specific costs, while still allowing the state to pursue other medical support obligations from parents. By creating a new statute section and modifying several existing sections, the bill ensures that state-funded birth expenses for eligible unmarried mothers cannot be recovered through paternity judgments or court orders. The changes apply to paternity orders issued on or after the bill's effective date, leaving other medical support requirements intact for cases not covered by this specific provision.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special enrollment period for pregnant individuals in Wisconsin health insurance plans, allowing them to sign up for coverage at any time during their pregnancy rather than waiting for an open enrollment window. It directly affects health benefit plans, self-insured plans, and nonprofit cooperative health plans that operate under state insurance regulations. The key provision requires plans to cover pregnant individuals and their dependents starting from the first day of the month in which medical verification of pregnancy is received, with plans also required to notify enrollees about this option when first offered coverage. The bill applies to policies and plans beginning on January 1 of the year following its effective date, with special provisions for collective bargaining agreements.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a sales and use tax exemption for breast pumps, breast pump kits, and specific collection and storage supplies used during breastfeeding. It defines breast pumps to include the device and its power components, and specifies which supplies qualify for the exemption while excluding items like nursing bras, cleaning supplies, and non-specific bottles. The exemption applies to purchases made within the state and removes the requirement for sellers to obtain exemption certificates for these items. The tax exemption is set to expire on June 30, 2027, and the law takes effect on the first day of the third month after publication.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates new authority for the Wisconsin attorney general to investigate and sue individuals or entities for civil rights violations in housing, employment, education, and public accommodations. It allows the attorney general to conduct investigations requiring sworn statements, access to documents, and subpoenas when there is reasonable cause to believe a pattern of rights violations or a denial of rights with public importance has occurred. If violations are found, courts can order injunctive relief, award damages, and impose civil forfeiture penalties of up to $50,000 for first violations or $100,000 for subsequent violations within seven years. The bill also permits the attorney general to accept voluntary compliance agreements instead of pursuing litigation, though violations of such agreements remain subject to penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state goal to achieve 100 percent clean electricity and net zero carbon emissions by 2050, creating a new Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy to oversee implementation. It sets specific milestones requiring the state to reach at least 50 percent carbon-free electricity by 2030, 65 percent by 2035, 80 percent by 2040, 90 percent by 2045, and full carbon-free status by 2050. The legislation also directs the state to develop a detailed decarbonization roadmap using sector-based modeling and provides funding for technology needed to meet these targets. Additionally, the bill clarifies definitions for renewable and carbon-free resources and includes provisions for agencies to consider technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness when meeting these energy standards.