To purchase and view the August 2023 Legislative Updates Town Hall, please click here.

WNA’s priorities for the upcoming 2023-2024 biennium are: the nurse faculty shortage, workplace violence legislation, preserving the nursing workforce survey, and the APRN modernization act.

View the Public Policy Agenda Here

  WNA Monitoring and Action on Legislative and Regulatory Proposals as of February 7, 2024

For the 2023-2024 Legislative Session, 1072 legislative bills have been introduced in the Assembly and 992 introduced in the Senate. At the time of this update it was reported that the Assembly plans to adjourn mid-February.

Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 17 and  2023 Senate Bill 11

Title:  expanding the treatment alternatives and diversion programs.

Committee:  Assembly Judiciary and Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

WNA Position: Support

Rationale:  Increase Wisconsinite’s access to equitable, economical, safe, quality, ethical, and innovative healthcare for all.

Status:  Assembly no action Senate 1/30/24 Public Hearing Judiciary and Public Safety.

Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 32 and 2023 Senate Bill 31

Title: creating an individual income tax deduction for certain income earned by an individual from the practice of psychiatry or from providing psychiatric or mental health services.

Committee:  Assembly Ways and Means and Senate Universities and Revenue

WNA Position: Support

Rationale: Registered and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses are critical to achieving the goals of improving healthcare delivery and population health in Wisconsin.  Includes psychiatric mental health nurse providers.

Status: 3/16/23 – Public Hearing, Assembly Health Committee, No action in the Senate.

Bill Number:  2023 Assembly Bill 41 and 2023 Senate Bill 43

Title:  Relating to: a time limitation for processing sexual assault kits

Committee: Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety, and  Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

WNA Position: Support

Rationale: Promote safe practice and care delivery environments for nurses and patients, including protections for workplace or other types of violence.

Status: Assembly No action. Senate Public Hearing Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety

Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 103 and 2023 Senate Bill 100

Title: Relating to: application of prescription drug payments to health insurance cost-sharing requirements.

Committee:  Assembly Health, Aging and Long-Term Care and Senate Insurance and Small Business

WNA Position:  Support

Rationale: Increase Wisconsinite’s access to equitable, economical, safe, quality, ethical, and innovative healthcare for all.

Status: Assembly and Senate, No action

Bill Number:  2023 Assembly Bill 114  and 2023 Senate Bill 110

Title:  Extension of eligibility under the Medical Assistance program for postpartum women

Committee: Assembly Health, Aging and Long-Term Care and Senate Insurance and Small Business

WNA Position:  Active Support, WNA provided written testimony on March 28, 2023

To view go to: LC Hearing Materials for SB110 on 3/28/2023

Rationale:  Increase Wisconsinite’s access to equitable, economical, safe, quality, ethical, and innovative healthcare for all utilizing an educated and competent nursing and healthcare workforce.

Status:  9/14/23 – Assembly received approved senate bill.  Senate:  9/14/23 – Passed out of full Senate; 8/27/23- Passed out of the Health Committee..

Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 117 and 2023 Senate Bill 121

Title: coverage of breast cancer screenings by the Medical Assistance program and health insurance policies and plans.

Committee: Assembly Health, Aging and Long-Term Care and Senate Health

WNA Position: Strong Support

Rationale: Increase Wisconsinite’s access to equitable, economical, safe, quality, ethical, and innovative healthcare for all utilizing an educated and competent nursing and healthcare workforce.  This bill provides coverage for Medicaid patients that require dense breast tissue mammogram. This bill extends Medicaid and other health insurance coverage for postpartum health care from 60 days to one year.  One out of 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer. This affects over 13,000 nurses per year.

Status:  Assembly Committee Public Hearing 1/10/24, 1/17/24 – Passed out of Assembly Committee, Senate 1/18/24 – Passed out of the Health Committee with amendments, 1/30/24 Waiting for a vote to be scheduled by the full Senate. Public hearing 7/12/23. View testimony- LC Bill Hearing Materials

Bill Number:  2023 Assembly Bill 129 and 2023 Senate Bill 133

Title: sexual assault by a health care provider and providing a penalty.

Committee: Assembly Criminal Justice and Public Safety, and Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

WNA Position: Support

Rationale:  Increase Wisconsinite’s access to equitable, economical, safe, quality, ethical, and innovative healthcare for all utilizing an educated and competent nursing and healthcare workforce.

Status: Assembly 11/14/23 – Passed by the full Assembly. 6/1/23 – Assembly Public Hearing, 9/7/23 – Passed out of committee with approval of amendment 1.  10/19/23 – Substitute Amendment 1 added to Amendment 1 passed out of Committee.  Senate – 12/6/23 – Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, 11/21/23 – Received from the Assembly.

Bill Number:  2023 Assembly Bill 143 and 2023 Senate Bill 160 

Title:  prohibiting statutes and rules examinations for certain professions.

Committee:  Assembly, Regulatory Licensing Reform   Senate. Licensing, Constitution and Federalism

WNA Position:  Support

Rationale:  Increase patient access to care through the passage of the APRN Modernization Act resulting in full practice authority for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN).  Nurses are taught statue statutes and rule that impact APRN practice. Offering an exam via the state is redundant and costly administer.

Status: Assembly 1/10/24, Passed the full Assembly. 11/8/23, Passed out of the Assembly Licensing, Constitution and Federalism Committee, 4/12/23 – Assembly, Public hearing,

Senate 1/16/24, received from the Assembly. 1/19/24 – Referred to the Senate Committee on Licensing, Constitution and Federalism.

Bill Number:  2023 Assembly Bill 154 and 2023 Senate Bill 145

Title:  Advanced practice registered nurses, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority.

Committee:   Assembly Health, Aging and Long-Term Care and Senate Health

WNA Position: Active Support

Rationale:  Increase patient access to care through the passage of the APRN Modernization Act resulting in full practice authority for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN). This one of WNA major advocacy efforts.  For more information go to WNA website: https://www.wisconsinnurses.org/aprn-modernization-act-3/

Status:  Senate:  1/30/24 –Received the passage of SB 145 from the Assembly. Is correctly enrolled.  5/24/23 – Public Hearing; 10/6/23 – Passed out of Committee; 10/17/23 – Passed the full Senate with Senate Amendment 2.  Assembly – 1/25/24 – SB 145 Passed out of the full Assembly. 1/25/24 – Tabled by the full assembly. 1/16/24 – did not take up Amendments 1 or 2.  Withdrawn by the Committee and referred to the Committee on Rules.  11/15/23, Public Hearing in the Assembly Health, Aging and Long-Term Care Committee, 10/17/23 received from the Senate. Assembly Committee hearing pending.   Waiting to be forwarded to the Governor.

Bill Number:  2023 Assembly Bill 176 and 2023 Senate Bill 211

Title: permitting pharmacists to prescribe certain contraceptives, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty.

Committee:  Assembly Health, Aging and Long-Term Care Senate Health

WNA Position:  Support

Rationale: WNA and its members are the collective and collaborative voice to advocate for access to equitable, comprehensive, and coordinated healthcare.

Status: Assembly, 6/21/23 – Passed the full Assembly.   Senate, 7/12/23 – Public hearing on Assembly bill; 9/13/21 – passed out of committee. Full Senate vote pending.

Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 204 and 2023 Senate Bill 193 

Title: renewal dates and continuing education requirements for certain credentials issued by the Department of Safety and Professional Services and credentialing boards and granting rule-making authority.

Committee: Assembly Regulatory Licensing Reform and Senate Licensing, Constitution and Federalism

WNA Position: Support Senate Substitute Amendment 1 to SB 193

Rationale: WNA supports LPN and RN workforce surveys to be taken at the time of license renewal. Any attempts to change this during this nursing shortage crisis is inappropriate and will be met with opposition from nursing.

Status: Assembly AB 204 passed the full Assembly that included removal of the required LPN and RN Workforce Surveys taken at the time of license renewal. This was opposed by WNA.  Senate 6/8/23 Received AB 204 from the Assembly and referred to Senate Committee on Licensing, Constitution, and Federalism. 5/25/23 – Public Hearing on SB 193.  Referred to the Senate. 7/19/23. Senate Substitute amendment 1 offered.  SB 193 had a public hearing, substitute amendment 1 was introduced that maintains the LPN and RN workforce surveys.

Bill Number:  2023 Assembly Bill 249 and 2023 Senate Bill 244

Title:  Expanding Wisconsin Works eligibility for at-risk pregnancy.

Committee:  Assembly Health, Aging and Long-Term Care, Senate Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention, Children and Families

WNA Position:  Support

Rationale: WNA and its members are the collective and collaborative voice to advocate for access to equitable, comprehensive, and coordinated healthcare.

Status: Assembly No action Senate No action

Bill Number:  2023 Assembly Bill 259 and  2023 Senate Bill 263

Title: 100-day prescription drug supplies under SeniorCare and amending an administrative rule related to 100-day prescription drug supplies permitted under SeniorCare.

Committee: Assembly Health, Aging and Long-Term Care and Senate Committee on Licensing, Constitution and Federalism

WNA Position:  Support

Rationale:  Increase Wisconsinite’s access to equitable, economical, safe, quality, ethical, and innovative healthcare for all.

Status:  Senate: 9/14/23 – Passed the full Senate, 6/8/23 – Passed out of committee; 5/25/23 – Public Hearing.  Assembly, 9/14/23 Assembly received SB 263; 10/10/23 Public Hearing. Signed by the Governor 12/6/23  2023 Wisconsin Act 71

Bill Number:  2023 Assembly Bill 281 and 2023 Senate Bill 277

Title:  mental health consultation program and making an appropriation.

Committee: Assembly Mental Health and Substance Abuse Prevention, Senate Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention, Children and Families

WNA Position: Support

Rationale:   WNA and its members are the collective and collaborative voice to advocate for access to equitable, comprehensive, and coordinated healthcare.  The bill requires an organization to administer a mental health consultation program (MHCP) that incorporates a comprehensive set of mental health consultation services and may include perinatal, child, adult, geriatric, pain, veteran, and general mental health consultation services.

Status:  Assembly – No action Senate – No action

Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 317  and 2023 Senate Bill 143

Title: the use of certain words and terms that refer to a physician.

Committee:  Assembly, Health, Aging and Long-Term Care and Senate, Health

WNA Position: Active Monitoring

Rationale:  Increase patient access to care through the passage of the APRN Modernization Act resulting in full practice authority for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) including the right to use Doctor in Nursing Practice (DNP).

Status: Assembly, No action. Senate, Waiting to be scheduled in the Senate 10/6/23 – Passed out of committee, 5/24/23 – Public Hearing.

Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 341 and 2023 Senate Bill 333

Title: sexual misconduct against a pupil by a school staff member or volunteer and providing a penalty.

Committee: Assembly Education and Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

WNA Position: Support

Rationale: Increase Wisconsinite’s access to equitable, economical, safe, quality, ethical, and innovative healthcare for all.

Status:  Assembly: 1/18/24 – SB 333 passed by the full Assembly.   1/18/24 – Scheduled for a vote by the full Assembly. Tabled. 1/16/24 – Passed out of Committee with Amendment 1. 12/5/23 Public Hearing Committee on Education.  Senate:   11/7/23 – Passed out of the Full Senate with Amendment 1. 10/24/23 – Passed out of the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety with Substitute Amendment 1.  8/22/23 – Public Hearing  1/22/23 – Bill correctly enrolled. To be sent to Governor.

Bill Number: 2023 Assembly Bill 369 and 2023 Senate Bill 369

Title: newborn infant safety devices under the safe haven law.

Committee: Assembly Children and Families and Senate Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention, Children and Families

WNA Position: Support

Rationale: Increase Wisconsinite’s access to equitable, economical, safe, quality, ethical, and innovative healthcare for all.

Status: Assembly – 11/14/23 – SB 369 was passed by the full Assembly. 11/14/23 – Tabled by the full Assembly. 11/9/23 – Passed out of the Committee. 11/1/23 – Public Hearing. 7/27/23. Referred to Assembly Committee on Children and Families.   Senate:  10/17/23-Passed the full Senate; 10/11/23 – Passed out of the Committee; 9/21/23: Public Hearing.  12/7/23 – Signed by the Governor.  2023 Wisconsin Act 79

Bill Number:  2023 Assembly Bill 429 and 2023 Senate Bill 442

Title: eliminating personal conviction exemption from immunizations.

Committee:  Assembly Health, Aging and Long-Term Care and Senate  Health

WNA Position: Support

Rationale: Reflects WNA’s position on immunization.   https://www.wisconsinnurses.org/position-statement-on-immunizations-for-nurses-and-other-health-care-workers/

Status: Assembly – No action,  Senate no action

Bill Number:  2023 Assembly Bill 436 and 2023 Senate Bill 430

Title: requiring an employer to provide reasonable break time and accommodations for an employee who is breastfeeding the employee’s child to express breast milk for the child.

Committee:  Assembly Labor and Integrated Employment and Senate Labor, Regulatory Reform, Veterans and Military Affairs

WNA Position:  Support

Rationale: WNA and its members are the collective and collaborative voice to advocate for access to equitable, comprehensive, and coordinated healthcare, nursing continuing professional development, and optimal workforce conditions.

Status: Senate Public Hearing – 10/5/23, Assembly – No action.

Bill Number:  2023 Assembly Bill 610  and 2023 Senate Bill 920

Title:  waivers from immunization requirements at institutions of higher education.

Committee:  Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities.  Senate:

WNA Position:    Oppose

Rationale:  Reinforce public health infrastructure and programs to promote prevention, health

promotion, and response to public health emergencies, while            also addressing health disparities.

Status:  Assembly – 1/17/24 Passed out of the Assembly Committee, 1/10/24 – Public Hearing. Senate – No Action

Bill Number:  2023 Assembly Bill 611  and   2023 Senate Bill 924

Title: right of health care providers to express professional opinions related to health or medical information or guidance.

Committee:   Assembly Health, Aging and Long-Term Care and the Senate Health Committee

WNA Position:   Oppose

Rationale:  The 2024 Gallup Poll reports that Nurses are the Trusted Professional by the Public.  Information that is shared with their patients and the public should be based on scientific evidence.

Status: Assembly – 1/17/24, Public Hearing, Senate – No action.

Bill Number:  2023 Assembly Bill 612 and 2023 Senate Bill 921

Title:  waivers from workplace immunization requirements.

Committee:  Assembly Committee on Labor and Integrated Employment. Senate Committee on Labor, Regulatory Reform, Veterans and Military Affairs

WNA Position:  Oppose

Rationale:  Reinforce public health infrastructure and programs to promote prevention, health

promotion, and response to public health emergencies, while            also addressing health disparities.

Status:  Assembly 1/25/24 – Referred to Committee on Rules. 1/16/24 – Passed out of the Assembly Committee. 11/16/23 Public Hearing.  Senate – No action

Bill Number:  2023 Assembly Bill 690  and 2023 Senate Bill 671

Title:  student qualification for employment as a nurse aide

Committee:  Assembly Health, Aging and Long-Term Care   Senate Health Committee

WNA Position: Support

Rationale: Reinforce public health infrastructure and programs to promote prevention, health

promotion, and response to public health emergencies, while            also addressing health    disparities

Status: Assembly – 1/25/24 Tabled by full assembly, 1/22/24 – Passed out of the Committee, 1/10/24 – Public Hearing.   Senate: 1/30/24 – Ready to send to Governor, 1/16/24 – Passed out of the full Senate, 12/19/24 – Passed out of Committee, 12/7/24 – Public Hearing. Signed by the Governor 3/22/24  2023 Senate Bill 671

Bill Number:  2023 Assembly Bill 822 and 2023 Senate Bill 828

Title:  eligibility to receive occupational credentials for recipients of deferred action under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Committee: Assembly – Committee on Regulatory Licensing Reform Senate – Committee on Licensing, Constitution and Federalism

WNA Position:  Active Support

Rationale:  Increase Wisconsinite’s access to equitable, economical, safe, quality, ethical, and innovative healthcare for all utilizing an educated and              competent nursing and healthcare workforce.

Status: Assembly:  1/24/24 – Passed out of the Committee.  12/13/23 – Public Hearing.  Senate No action

To review previous legistlative updates, please click here.