Healthcare (Public Health) in Wisconsin

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1191: Relating to: banning products containing intentionally added PFAS and providing a penalty. (FE)

This bill would ban the sale and distribution of products containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals, starting with specific categories like food packaging, cookware, and children's products by January 1, 2032, and expanding to all products by January 1, 2038, unless the chemical use is deemed unavoidable for public health or safety. Manufacturers would be required to submit detailed information about their PFAS-containing products to the state department, and the department could require testing to verify compliance. The law includes exemptions for products regulated by federal law, firefighting foam, used products, and medical devices, and imposes a penalty of $100 per violating product for each day the violation continues.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Public Health

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1091: Relating to: health insurance coverage of vaccines if recommended by certain organizations and consideration of recommendations of certain organizations regarding the state immunization program vaccination schedule.

This bill requires health insurance plans and self-insured state and local health plans to cover vaccines for children from birth to age six that are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If the CDC withdraws a vaccine recommendation, the bill mandates that these plans continue to cover the vaccine based on recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics or the American Academy of Family Physicians. The legislation also directs the state immunization program to consider recommendations from these medical organizations when deciding which diseases to target for elimination. Additionally, the bill requires healthcare providers to maintain records of vaccine administration, including the manufacturer, lot number, and administering provider information.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Children's Health Insurance Public Health

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1044: Relating to: health insurance coverage of vaccines if recommended by certain organizations and consideration of recommendations of certain organizations regarding the state immunization program vaccination schedule.

This bill requires health insurance plans to cover vaccines recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for children under 6 years old. If the CDC withdraws its recommendations, insurers must instead cover vaccines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics or American Academy of Family Physicians. It applies to all health insurance plans, including self-insured state/local government plans, covering dependent children. The law ensures continuous vaccine coverage regardless of changes to CDC guidelines.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Children's Health Insurance Public Health

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1088: Relating to: postpartum home visits.

AB 1088 requires Wisconsin hospitals to schedule a free postpartum home visit within 14 days for new mothers who request it, covering physical recovery, breastfeeding support, and mental health screening. The visit must be provided by trained doulas, midwives, or other licensed health providers. Insurance plans - including government-run health programs - must cover this service without deductibles, copays, or other patient costs. The bill directly affects new mothers, hospitals, and health insurers across Wisconsin.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Mental Health Public Health Substance Abuse

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1082: Relating to: a public health campaign for prevention of tobacco and electronic cigarette use, grants to organizations working on youth vaping and cessation services, and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 1082 allocates $2 million for a public health campaign to prevent youth tobacco and e-cigarette use, along with grants to local organizations providing youth vaping prevention and cessation services. The bill creates a new funding mechanism under the Department of Health, requiring annual reports to the legislature detailing grant recipients and purposes starting in 2027. It directly affects youth (by targeting prevention) and community organizations working on vaping issues (through grant funding). The key change is increasing the Department of Health's existing appropriation by $2 million for these specific public health efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Appropriations Public Health

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 826: Relating to: vaccination of minors without parental consent. (FE)

SB 826 allows healthcare providers to vaccinate minors aged 16 or older without parental consent if the minor requests it. The bill requires providers to obtain the minor’s consent before billing insurance or other third parties for the vaccination. If the minor declines third-party billing, they are responsible for payment directly to the provider, following existing fee guidelines. This applies specifically to medically appropriate vaccines and affects minors aged 16+, healthcare providers, and third-party payers. The bill does not change parental rights for minors under 16.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Public Health

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 27, 2026

AB 931: Relating to: grants to HealthNet of Rock County, Inc.; a reference to generalized public health nursing programs; and updating terminology from “advanced practice nurse prescriber” to “advanced practice registered nurse” (suggested as remedial legislation by the Department of Health Services).

AB 931 updates Wisconsin's healthcare statutes by changing the term "advanced practice nurse prescriber" to "advanced practice registered nurse" in multiple sections, aligning with current professional standards. It provides a $50,000 grant to HealthNet of Rock County, Inc., a local health organization. The bill also clarifies that local health boards may employ public health nurses to lead generalized public health nursing programs. These changes affect advanced practice nurses, local health departments, and organizations like HealthNet by standardizing terminology and funding. The bill takes effect September 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Public Health

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 910: Relating to: grants to HealthNet of Rock County, Inc.; a reference to generalized public health nursing programs; and updating terminology from “advanced practice nurse prescriber” to “advanced practice registered nurse” (suggested as remedial legislation by the Department of Health Services).

SB 910 updates Wisconsin law to replace the term "advanced practice nurse prescriber" with "advanced practice registered nurse" across multiple statutes, including those governing healthcare provider roles and immunization programs. The bill also allocates $50,000 in grants to HealthNet of Rock County, Inc., a public health organization. Key changes affect how healthcare providers (like nurses and physicians) are referenced in legal definitions, ensuring terminology aligns with current professional standards. The legislation is categorized as "remedial" to correct outdated language without altering healthcare access or responsibilities. It takes effect September 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Public Health

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 9, 2026

AB 890: Relating to: vaccination of minors without parental consent. (FE)

AB 890 allows healthcare providers to administer medically appropriate vaccines to minors aged 16 or older without parental consent if the minor requests it. The bill requires providers to obtain the minor’s consent before billing third parties for the vaccination; if the minor declines third-party billing, they pay directly and the department bills them per existing fee rules. This directly affects minors aged 16+ seeking vaccinations, healthcare providers, and billing processes for such services. The policy changes focus on expanding minor autonomy for specific vaccinations while maintaining clear billing requirements.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Children's Health Public Health

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 747: Relating to: grants to match county investments in the health care, public health, and care provider workforce and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 747 creates a state grant program that matches counties' previous-year investments in healthcare and public health workforce development. Counties receive state funds to match their spending on recruiting, retaining, and supporting workers in healthcare, public health, child care, long-term care, and mental health services. The grant amount for each county cannot exceed $1.11 multiplied by its population. This policy directly affects all Wisconsin counties by providing financial support for local workforce initiatives in critical care sectors. The bill establishes a clear, per-capita funding limit to ensure predictable state spending.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Appropriations Long-Term Care Mental Health Public Health Workforce Development

All healthcare bills