Sen. Chris Larson

Maddy summarySJR 68 proposes to repeal Section 13 of the state constitution, which currently defines marriage as only between one man and one woman and bans legal recognition of similar status for unmarried couples. If approved by voters, this constitutional amendment would eliminate the state's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage and allow all marriages to be recognized equally under state law. The bill directly affects all state residents by removing a legal barrier to marriage equality for same-sex couples. The amendment must be submitted to voters in the next general election following a three-month publication period, as required by the proposed process.

Maddy summarySB 324 prohibits mental health providers from offering conversion therapy to individuals under 18 years old. The bill defines conversion therapy as any attempt to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, while exempting counseling supporting gender transition, providing acceptance/support, or addressing unsafe behaviors without intent to change orientation/identity. Violations could result in disciplinary actions against providers, including license suspension or revocation by state licensing boards. The law applies to licensed psychologists, counselors, social workers, and other mental health professionals covered under state licensing statutes.

Maddy summarySB 351 allocates $11 million annually for improved student mental and behavioral health services at the University of Wisconsin System. It directly affects UW System students by funding additional staffing, training, operations, assessment, and prevention programs in this area. The bill creates a new funding line (20.285(1)(cm)) in the state budget, specifying these funds must support mental and behavioral health services. The appropriation applies to the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years.

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.

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 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 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 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.