SB 657 prohibits noncompete clauses that restrict medical practitioners from working for more than 24 consecutive months after starting a job. It also makes all such noncompete agreements unenforceable if an employer terminates the practitioner’s employment for any reason. The law applies to defined medical practitioners, including physicians, physician assistants, psychologists, and advanced practice nurse prescribers. These provisions make affected noncompete agreements void and unenforceable under Wisconsin law. The bill takes effect after publication, with specific definitions updated to clarify the scope of "medical practitioner."
SB 281 would allow certified advanced practice nurses who can prescribe medications (under Section 441.16(2)) to also perform radiography, such as taking X-rays. This bill directly affects these nurses by expanding their scope of practice to include radiography without requiring separate certification. The key provision creates a new statutory section (462.02(2)(g)) to explicitly permit this expanded practice. The bill does not change requirements for other radiography professionals or alter existing radiology regulations.
Assembly Bill 12 grants "state agency status" to physician assistants and advanced practice nurse prescribers who volunteer their services. This status applies when they provide uncompensated healthcare services for local health departments or school districts. For local health departments, this covers services requiring medical oversight, and for schools, it includes immunization programs. By gaining state agency status, these providers would be considered agents of the Department of Health Services for specific legal protections, such as representation by the attorney general, provided they adhere to state protocols.
SB 434 regulates prior authorization processes for health insurance plans by requiring greater transparency and standardizing procedures. It directly affects health insurers, self-insured employer plans, and utilization review entities (like insurance companies) that manage pre-approval for medical services. Key provisions include defining "prior authorization" and "adverse determination," mandating that adverse decisions be made by qualified healthcare providers (physicians, physician assistants, or nurse practitioners), and setting timeframes for non-urgent cases. The bill also establishes new requirements for notifying enrollees about coverage decisions. This focuses on clarifying the process for patients seeking covered treatments, not altering coverage benefits.
AB 668 amends Wisconsin law to allow advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) with psychiatric expertise to conduct examinations determining whether involuntarily committed individuals can refuse medication or treatment. This change directly affects individuals in psychiatric commitment under specific legal standards who refuse care, as it expands the pool of qualified professionals (previously limited to physicians) who can provide the required medical certification. The bill requires any motion to override a patient's refusal to include a written report signed by an APRN or physician stating the individual is not competent to refuse treatment or that treatment is necessary to prevent serious harm. The amendment takes effect September 1, 2026, after a temporary transition period allowing physician-only assessments until that date. This creates a new pathway for competency determinations while maintaining existing court hearing requirements.
SB 632 expands the legal scope of practice for naturopathic doctors in Wisconsin. It grants them the authority to prescribe, dispense, and administer prescription drugs (under specific rules) and allows them to provide expedited partner therapy for sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea. The bill also requires naturopathic doctors to maintain malpractice insurance coverage (with limited exceptions for government employees) and formally includes them in the definition of "health care practitioner" for regulatory purposes. This legislation directly affects licensed naturopathic doctors by changing their legal practice boundaries and responsibilities.
SB 72 creates a state income tax deduction for psychiatrists and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners who work in Wisconsin. It allows eligible individuals to deduct up to $100,000 annually from their taxable income if they practice outside medically underserved areas, or up to $200,000 if they work in such areas (as defined by state law). To qualify, professionals must claim the deduction within their first two years of practicing in Wisconsin or returning to the state, and can only use it for up to five consecutive years. The bill directly affects licensed psychiatrists and certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners who meet the location and eligibility requirements.
SB 31 establishes "state agency status" for physician assistants and advanced practice nurses who volunteer services without compensation for local health departments or school districts. Specifically, these healthcare providers become state agents for liability protection under certain statutes (like 165.25, 893.82, and 895.46) when providing medically supervised services under written protocols. The bill defines key terms like "advanced practice nurse prescriber" and clarifies that non-employee volunteers must act without pay to qualify. This change directly affects volunteer healthcare providers in public health and school settings, ensuring they are legally protected as representatives of the Department of Health Services during their service.
SB 417 establishes rules for allowing essential visitors and clergy to visit residents in long-term care facilities (like nursing homes) and hospitals during communicable disease outbreaks. It requires facilities to permit at least one designated essential visitor (such as a family member or legal guardian) or clergy member in specific compassionate situations, including end-of-life care, grief support, or when a health professional determines the visitor’s presence benefits the patient. Facilities may deny visitation only if the visitor refuses safety protocols, poses a contagion risk, or the patient declines the visit. The bill also creates a process for residents to file complaints if facilities violate these rules and provides liability protection for facilities following the policy.
AB 432 regulates prior authorization processes for health insurance plans in Wisconsin. It requires insurance companies to follow specific transparency rules when denying coverage for medical services (called "adverse determinations"), mandating that these decisions be made by qualified health providers like physicians or nurse practitioners under medical directors' oversight. The bill defines key terms like "prior authorization" (pre-approval for services) and "urgent health care service" (requiring faster decisions), and sets deadlines for non-urgent cases. It directly affects health insurance plans, self-insured employer plans, and enrollees who seek covered services. The law aims to make the approval process clearer and more timely for patients.
