LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

February 2022

It may be cold outside, but activity is heating up in the State Senate.  I already have several bills on their way to Gov. Evers' desk, and as you will see from this Update, many more of my proposals are working their way through the legislative process.  These common-sense initiatives aim to strengthen public safety, fortify our healthcare workforce, and enhance protections for the most vulnerable members of our society.

As always, my number one priority is making state government work better for my constituents in the 1st Senate District.  Please free free to contact me about these or any other issues, or if you need help accessing critical state programs. Together, we will continue to move Wisconsin forward in 2022!

Sen. Jacque Bills Head to Governor's Desk

"Dillon's Law 2.0" 

"Dillon’s Law 2.0,” (Assembly Bill 337) expands the availability of epinephrine auto-injectors for individuals having a life-threatening allergic reaction.  This new proposal builds on the original Dillon’s Law, passed in 2018, to expand the use of EpiPens on someone having a life-threatening allergic reaction with ease of use modifications requested by epinephrine administration trainers.

George and Angel Mueller of Mishicot recently appeared before the Senate Health Committee as advocates for the measure, named after their son Dillon, who was killed by a severe allergic reaction from a bee sting when no epinephrine was available in the first aid kits of either the Eagle Scout with him, or the arriving volunteer first responders.  Thanks to their efforts, Dillon’s Law has already saved at least seven lives and has also been successfully enacted in Minnesota, Indiana, and Illinois.

Expanding Availability of Healthcare

"Heroes for Healthcare"

With medical resources increasingly strained, military veterans trained in healthcare may again answer the call to serve under a bipartisan initiative modeled after a program in Virginia that has deployed hundreds of skilled veterans to the medical work force and helped relieve pressure on the healthcare system.

This legislation (Assembly Bill 720) reverses current state law, which requires even recent military medical members to obtain a license before applying those same in-demand skills to care for civilians.  Under "Heroes for Healthcare," veterans who recently served in a military medical assignment may practice under appropriate supervision while they seek the required education and credentials of their role.

Increasing Access to Mental Healthcare

To address a devastating shortage of mental health professionals across the state, this bipartisan legislation (Assembly Bill 537) ratifies and enters Wisconsin into an agreement that will allow a psychologist to practice more easily in other compact states, either in person or remotely, across the border in other states which have enacted it.  We will join 27 other states that have enacted the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), including Illinois and Minnesota.  As more states do so, PSYPACT will become even more effective in alleviating mental healthcare shortages and improving access to mental health services.

Empowering the Most Vulnerable Among Us

A.B.L.E. Accounts

This initiative directs state officials to draw up plans for tax-exempt savings accounts that can help cover the cost of services those with physical and cognitive challenges need to live full, independent lives.

Similar to 529 college savings accounts, federal law allows states to create tax-exempt savings accounts to cover expenses - such as education, housing, transportation, and more - for disabled individuals under the age of 26.  This bill moves our state closer to establishing an Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) account program in Wisconsin, while still keeping out-of-state programs available for our citizens.

Investigating Abuse of Adults at Risk

Currently, Adult Protective Services (APS) may decide not to investigate reports of abuse of adults with disabilities (adults ages 18-59). However, investigations are required for any reports of abuse of elder adults (age 60 and over).  This bill (Senate Bill 395) makes investigations of adults-at-risk reports also mandatory.  It is supported by the Wisconsin Counties Association and many groups advocating for the disabled.

Keeping Our Communities Safe

Sen. Jacque's Public Safety Package

Bills that protect Wisconsin corrections agents and their families (Senate Bill 100), and allow virtual court proceedings to speed justice to victims (Senate Bill 219) are also headed to the Governor's desk.

Five other bills in my Public Safety Package have been passed by the State Assembly - Assembly Bill 841, Assembly Bill 777, Assembly Bill 831, Assembly Bill 832, and Assembly Bill 83. They include increased federal funding and training to put more police officers on the street, and requiring prosecutors to charge violent felons for illegal possession of a firearm.

The bills in this package are designed to strengthen the legal safeguards we rely on to keep us safe, at a time when Wisconsin is seeing a significant increase in crime, with homicides doubling in Green Bay and Madison.