AB 270 establishes a state-funded loan program for graduate students pursuing school psychologist careers in Wisconsin. It provides up to $10,000 annually (maximum $30,000 total) for eligible Wisconsin residents enrolled at least half-time in state graduate programs leading to school psychologist licensure, requiring a 3.0 GPA. Loans carry a 5% interest rate, but 25% of the loan and interest is forgiven each year a recipient works full-time as a school psychologist in a public or private school within an urbanized area or a designated rural county. The program aims to support workforce development in school psychology by reducing financial barriers for students and incentivizing long-term employment in underserved educational settings.
AB 104 prohibits health care providers from performing or referring minors under 18 for medical interventions intended to change their physical characteristics to match a gender different from their biological sex. It specifically bans surgeries (like hysterectomy or orchiectomy), mastectomies, puberty-blocking drugs, and high-dose cross-sex hormone treatments. Exceptions apply for genetic disorders of sex development, treating complications from prior procedures, or immediate life-threatening conditions. Violations could result in license revocation for health care providers by the licensing board.
AB 212 requires out-of-state health care providers to register with the state department or credentialing board to legally offer telehealth services to patients within the state. To register, providers must hold an active, unencumbered license from another state or territory that permits similar services, provide proof of malpractice insurance, disclose disciplinary history, and designate a state agent for legal notices. The state will maintain a public online registry listing registered providers, including their out-of-state credentials, specialty, insurance details, and disciplinary history. This bill directly affects telehealth providers from other states seeking to serve patients in this state, while prohibiting them from opening local offices or offering in-person care without a full state license.
Senate Bill 71 ratifies the Dietitian Licensure Compact, a multi-state agreement designed to streamline the licensing process for dietitians. This bill allows licensed dietitians in participating states to practice in other compact member states by obtaining a "compact privilege" instead of a full separate license. It establishes a dietitian licensure compact commission and amends various state statutes to recognize this new privilege, affecting dietitians and their ability to practice across state lines.
AB 198 creates two key programs: (1) grants for technical colleges offering emergency medical services (EMS) training, provided they don't give admission priority based on residency; and (2) a reimbursement program for individuals or their employers who paid tuition/materials for initial EMS certification/licensure as an emergency medical responder or practitioner. Eligible applicants must complete required courses, pass exams, and obtain their license/certification through the Department of Health Services. The bill also establishes a "live 911" pilot program allowing grants for real-time video communication during emergency calls, requiring a performance report by October 2027. This directly affects EMS students, practitioners, their employers, and public safety answering points.
AB 639 expands the scope of practice for naturopathic doctors in Wisconsin. It specifically allows them to provide "expedited partner therapy" for sexually transmitted infections (chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis) under new section 466.052, enabling them to prescribe antibiotics to sexual partners of infected patients. The bill also requires naturopathic doctors to maintain malpractice insurance (with limited exceptions for government employees) under amended section 466.05(3). Additionally, it updates prescription drug and controlled substance regulations to explicitly include naturopathic doctors in relevant statutes (e.g., 961.23(6)). These changes directly affect naturopathic doctors and patients seeking STI treatment in the state.
AB 80 would allow social workers, marriage and family therapists, and professional counselors licensed in this state to practice in other states that join the Social Work Licensure Compact without needing separate state licenses. The bill amends existing statutes to align state definitions and requirements with the compact framework, ensuring professionals certified under Chapter 457 can work across participating states. It directly affects licensed social work professionals seeking to practice in multiple states and changes how their credentials are recognized in statutes related to child welfare, mental health, and professional practice. The compact aims to streamline licensure for these professionals while maintaining state-specific standards.
AB 199 changes reimbursement rates for ambulance services under Wisconsin's Medical Assistance program (state Medicaid) when patients are not transported to a facility. Starting January 1, 2027, the state will increase payments for "ambulance response and treatment, no transport" (code A0998) to match the rate for transport services (code A0429), directly benefiting ambulance providers. The bill also requires the Department of Health Services to annually report by September 15 on how national changes to emergency medical responder scope of practice may affect training in Wisconsin. These provisions specifically impact ambulance service providers, state health officials, and the Medical Assistance program.
AB 589 eliminates specific abortion-related requirements from medical licensing regulations. It removes references to abortion procedures from statutes governing medical board investigations (amending §448.02) and repeals sections requiring parental consent, ultrasound disclosures, or abortion-specific definitions (like §253.10). This directly affects physicians and medical licensing boards by removing mandatory reporting obligations related to abortion care. The bill streamlines medical oversight by excluding abortion-related violations from the list of unprofessional conduct that triggers board investigations.
SB 74 ratifies the Social Work Licensure Compact, allowing social workers licensed in one participating state to practice in other compact states without reapplying for a new license. The bill creates a commission to manage the compact and amends multiple statutes to align licensing requirements across participating states, ensuring social workers meet standardized qualifications. This directly affects social workers seeking to practice across state lines, child welfare agencies (which must employ licensed social workers per amended statutes), and licensing boards. Key provisions include standardizing definitions for "social worker" and "licensed treatment professional" in statutes governing employment and service delivery. The compact aims to streamline licensure for social workers while maintaining consistent professional standards.
