Healthcare (Long-Term Care) in Wisconsin

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 959: Relating to: requirements for the use of a memory care designation by community-based residential facilities. (FE)

SB 959 sets new requirements for community-based residential facilities that use the "memory care" designation in their name, advertising, or communications. It requires these facilities to serve residents with irreversible dementia (like Alzheimer’s) and provide staff with comprehensive dementia care training, including dementia basics, person-centered care strategies, communication techniques, non-drug behavioral interventions, and supporting independence. Facilities must complete initial training for administrators and resident care staff by July 1, 2027, and provide annual refresher training on these topics. Existing facilities using "memory care" before July 1, 2027, must comply with these rules by that date to continue the designation.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 806: Relating to: parental access to health records of minors.

AB 806 modifies Wisconsin law to clarify parental access to minors' health and court records. It generally grants parents access to their minor child's records but allows minors aged 14 or older to block access by submitting a written objection to the records custodian. The bill also explicitly denies access rights to parents who have been denied physical placement due to child protection cases (e.g., under § 48.13 for parental actions causing harm). These changes apply to health care records under statutes § 146.82 and § 146.83. The bill is currently pending in the Health, Aging and Long-Term Care Committee.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 7, 2026

AB 984: Relating to: requirements for the use of a memory care designation by community-based residential facilities. (FE)

AB 984 sets new standards for community-based residential facilities that use the "memory care" designation in their name, advertising, or communications. It requires these facilities to serve only individuals with irreversible dementia (like Alzheimer’s) and to provide mandatory staff training on dementia care. The training must cover dementia basics, person-centered care, communication techniques, non-drug behavioral interventions, and supporting residents’ independence - both for initial hiring and annually thereafter. These requirements take effect July 1, 2027, with existing facilities needing compliance by that date to continue using the designation.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 683: Relating to: an appropriation for refundable long-term care insurance assessment credits and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 683 allocates state funds to cover refundable tax credits for long-term care insurance assessments. It directly affects Wisconsin residents who purchase qualifying long-term care insurance policies by enabling them to receive tax refunds for premiums paid. The bill specifies that funds from "Schedule A" will cover payments under several statutes (71.07, 71.28, 71.47, and 76.633) related to these credits. This is a fiscal appropriation bill, not a new policy, ensuring existing credit programs have dedicated funding. The measure requires legislative action to appropriate the funds but does not change eligibility or credit amounts.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Appropriations Long-Term Care

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 753: Relating to: grants to match county investments in the health care, public health, and care provider workforce and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 753 creates a state program to provide matching grants to Wisconsin counties for investments they make in their healthcare, public health, and care provider workforce. Counties can receive state funds equal to their previous fiscal year's spending on recruitment, retention, mental health, trauma care, and wellness programs for workers in health care, public health, child care, and long-term care. The grant amount for each county is capped at $1.11 multiplied by the county's population. This bill establishes the funding mechanism and sets the maximum grant level, requiring the state to appropriate funds for these matching grants annually.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

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

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 272: Relating to: eligibility for Family Care for individuals who are deaf-blind. (FE)

AB 272 amends eligibility rules for Wisconsin's Family Care program to automatically include individuals who are deaf-blind, as defined under federal law (29 U.S.C. § 1905). This change directly affects deaf-blind residents seeking Family Care services, removing the need for separate care-level assessments for this group. The bill establishes that deaf-blind status alone satisfies the "functional eligibility" requirement under existing statute. It does not alter other eligibility criteria or funding mechanisms for the program. The bill was introduced in May 2025 and referred to the Health, Aging and Long-Term Care committee.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 262: Relating to: assisted living facility referral agencies and providing a penalty.

SB 262 requires referral agencies that connect prospective residents to assisted living facilities to disclose key financial details, including fixed referral fees paid by facilities, business relationships, and their website listing practices. It prohibits agencies from charging fees based on a resident's value or percentage of services and mandates written resident confirmation before charging facilities. Residents can terminate agency services at any time, including stopping the use of their personal information. Violations carry a $1,000 penalty per offense, directly affecting referral agencies, assisted living facilities, and prospective residents.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

vetoed · Wisconsin · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 417: Relating to: visitation of a long-term care facility resident or hospital patient during a communicable disease outbreak.

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.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Hospitals Long-Term Care

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 9, 2026

AB 700: Relating to: an appropriation for refundable long-term care insurance assessment credits and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 700 appropriates state funds to cover refundable credits for Wisconsin taxpayers who pay long-term care insurance assessments. It directly affects residents who pay these assessments by ensuring they receive the full credit amount through a dedicated budget appropriation. The bill amends statute 20.835(2)(de) to specify the funding needed for credits under existing laws (sections 71.07(12)(d)2., 71.28(12)(d)2., 71.47(12)(d)2., and 76.633(4)). This creates a permanent funding mechanism for the credits rather than relying on annual budget adjustments.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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