Wisconsin School Social Workers Association Legislative Tracker

2021-22 Legislative Session

Updated: 3/15/2022

Bill

Description

WSSWA Position

Activity and Status

AB 68

Introduced by Joint Finance Committee at request of Governor Evers

2021-23 state budget.

Supported Governor’s version of budget

Legislature passed budget and Governor Evers signed it into law with significant partial vetoes (2021 Wisconsin Act 58) and a commitment to add more federal COVID money to schools, which he has done.

AB 141

Rep. Myers

Prohibit discrimination based on traits historically associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles.

Support

3/5/21 Introduced and referred to the Constitution and Ethics Committee; 4/20/21 Public hearing held; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

SB 251

Sen. Taylor

Same as above.

Support

3/31/21 Introduced and referred to Labor and Regulatory Reform Committee; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

AB 185

Rep. Billings

Prohibit prosecuting or adjudicating delinquent a person under the age of 18 for committing an act of prostitution.

Support

3/23/21 Introduced and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

SB 245

Sen. Darling

Same as above.

Support

3/24/21 Introduced and referred to Judiciary and Public Safety Committee; 9/23/21 Public hearing held; 10/14/21 Amended and passed out of committee on 5-2 vote; Available for scheduling on Senate floor; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

AB 196

Rep. Dittrich

Designate sports and athletics teams based on the sex of the participants.

Oppose

3/25/21 Introduced and referred to Education Committee; 5/26/21 Public hearing held; 6/9/21 Voted out of committee on 9-4 vote; 6/16/21 Passed Assembly on 59-38 vote; 10/19/21 Senate Human Services, Children and Families voted non-concurrence on 2-3 vote; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

SB 322

Sen. Bernier

Same as above.

Oppose

4/22/21 Introduced and referred to Human Services, Children and Families Committee; 5/26/21 Public hearing held; 10/19/21 Committee voted no on 2-3 vote; Available for scheduling on Senate floor; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

AB 273

Rep. Myers

Require instruction in African American history in elementary school and high school.

Support

4/16/21 Introduced and referred to Education Committee; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

AB 312

Rep. Snodgrass

Prohibit conversion therapy

Support

5/7/21 Introduced and referred to Mental Health Committee; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

SB 326

Sen. Carpenter

Same as above

Support

4/28/21 Introduced and referred to Human Services, Children and Families Committee; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

AB 324

Rep. Loundenbeck

Expand permissible work hours for minors under the age of 16.

Oppose

5/13/21 Introduced and referred to Labor and Integrated Employment Committee; 9/29/21 Public hearing held; 1/18/22 Committee voted for bill on 6-3 vote; 1/20/22 Laid on table; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.  

SB 332

Sen. Felzkowski

Same as above.

Oppose

4/28/21 Introduced and referred to Labor and Regulatory Reform Committee; 6/16/21 Public hearing held; 10/6/21 Reported out of committee on 3-2 vote; 1/20/22 Passed Assembly on 60-35 vote; 1/20/22 Assembly concurred in; 2/1/22 Presented to Governor. 2/4/21 Vetoed by Governor Evers.

AB 381

Rep. Snyder

Require instruction in Hmong American, Asian Pacific Islander, and Desi Americans.

Support

6/7/21 Introduced and referred to Education Committee; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

SB 379

Sen. Wimberger

Same as above.

Support

5/25/21 Introduced and referred to Education Committee; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

AB 411

Rep. Wichgers

“Anti-CRT” legislation that would prevent educators from teaching honest, reality-based history to students.

Oppose

6/25/21 Introduced and referred to Education Committee; 8/11/21 Public hearing held (WSSWA presented testimony); 9/23/21 Passed out of committee on 10-5 vote; 9/28/21 Passed Assembly on 60-38 vote; 1/25/22 Senate concurred in on 20-13 vote (one Republican, Senator Marklein, voted no); 2/1/22 Presented to Governor; 2/4/21 Vetoed by Governor Evers

AB 495

Rep. Brooks

Allow person with concealed carry license to carry weapon on school grounds.

Oppose

Passed Legislature and ready to be sent to Governor.

SB 484

Same as above.

Oppose

On hold; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

AB 562

Rep. Cabral-Guevara

Require school districts - before providing any program related to sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression - to first give notice to parents or guardians, who can choose to opt out of the program.

Oppose

9/15/21 Introduced and referred to Education Committee; 9/16/22 Public hearing held; 3/10/22 Passed out committee on 8-4 vote; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.  

SB 598

Sen. Jacque

Same as above.

Oppose

10/8/21 Introduced and referred to Education Committee; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

AB 602

Rep. James

Require reporting of certain crimes on school property or school transportation.

Oppose

10/7/21 Introduced and referred to Education Committee; 10/21/21 Public hearing held; 2/1/22 Passed committee on 10-5 vote; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

SB 585

Sen. Jagler

Same as above.

Oppose

9/24/21 Introduced and referred to Judiciary and Public Affairs Committee; 10/14/21 Public hearing held; 10/28/21 Passed committee on 5-2 vote; 11/8/21 Passed Senate on 21-12 vote; 2/22/22 Passed Assembly on voice vote; 2/25/22 Enrolled and ready to be sent to Governor.

AB 614

Rep. Cabrera

Strengthen collective bargaining for municipal employees, including school employees; Eliminate CPI wage cap and 51% organizing requirement.

Support

10/14/21 Introduced and referred to Labor and Integrated Employment Committee; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

AB 687

Rep. Shankland

Reinstate strong collective bargaining rights for Pre-K-12, CESA, WTCS, and UW employees.

Support

11/12/21 Introduced and referred to Labor and Integrated Employment Committee; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

SB 660

Sen. Larson

Same as above.

Support

11/2/21 Introduced and referred to Labor and Regulatory Reform Committee; 3/15/22 Failed to pass.

AB 749

Rep. Vining

Collaborative grants for school districts to work with mental health agencies.

Support

12/7/21 Introduced and referred to Mental Health Committee; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

SB 732

Senator Agard

Same as above.

Support

11/30/21 Introduced and referred to Education Committee; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

AB 750

Rep. Vining

Expand the current mental health program to include pupil wellness and make funding available for school nurses, school counselors and school psychologists, and school social workers. Provide additional $34.5 million.

Support

12/7/21 Introduced and referred to Mental Health Committee; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

SB 731

Sen. Agard

Same as above.

Support

11/30/21 Introduced and referred to Universities and Technical Colleges Committee; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

AB 751

Rep. Vining

Provide $10 million to the UW System for student health services related to mental and behavioral health.

Support

12/7/21 Introduced and referred to Colleges and Universities Committee; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

SB 733

Sen. Agard

Same as above.

Support

11/30/21 Introduced and referred to Universities and Technical Colleges Committee; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

AB 752

Rep. Vining

Add social and emotional learning to the list of specific evidence-based strategies for addressing student mental health.

Support

12/7/21 Introduced and referred to Colleges and Universities Committee; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

SB 735

Sen. Agard

Same as above.

Support

11/30/21 Introduced and referred to Universities and Technical Colleges Committee; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

AB 805

Rep. Shelton

Provide additional state aid to schools to provide free meals to all students.

Support

1/4/22 Introduced and referred to Education Committee; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.  

AB 811

Rep. Pope

Create revenue limit adjustment for cost of employing school nurses if approved by school board.

Support

1/6/22 Introduced and referred to Ways and Means Committee; -3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

SB 781

Sen. Larson

Same as above.

Support

12/17/21 Introduced and referred to Education Committee; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.  

AB 813

Rep. Bowen

Provide funding for community school start-up grants.

Support

1/6/22 Introduced and referred to Colleges and Universities Committee; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

SB 782

Sen. Larson

Same as above.

Support

12/17/21 Introduced and referred to Education Committee; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

AB 830

Rep. Murphy

Create model curriculum for interacting with law enforcement.

Oppose

Passed Assembly; Currently in Senate Education Committee; 1/20/22 Passed committee on 9-4 vote; 1/25/22 Passed Assembly on 58-34 vote; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

SB 854

Sen. Jacque

Same as above.

Oppose

1/13/22 Introduced and referred to Education Committee; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.  

AB 843

Rep. Pronschinske

Create comprehensive firearm education for high school students.

Oppose

Passed Assembly and referred to Senate Education Committee;  3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

SB 875

Sen. Jacque

Same as above.

Oppose

In Senate Sporting Heritage, Small Business and Rural Issues Committee; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

AB 857

Rep. Penterman

Prohibit DSPS and its boards from requiring new examinations for licensure unless a new law requires an exam.

Oppose

1/18/22 Introduced and referred to Regulatory Licensing Reform Committee; 1/26/22 Public hearing held; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.  

SB 824

Sen. Kooyenga

Same as above.

Oppose

1/6/22 Introduced and referred to Insurance, Licensing and Forestry Committee; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

AB 920

Rep. Pope

Provide feminine hygiene products in schools and create revenue limit adjustment to pay for the cost of providing them.

Support

In Assembly Education Committee; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.  

SB 832

Sen. Agard

Same as above.

Support

In Senate Government Operations, Legal Review and Consumer Protection Committee; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

AB 963

Rep. Gundrum

“Parental Bill of Rights”

Oppose

Passed both houses of Legislature and ready to be sent to Governor.

SB 962

Sen. Darling

Same as above.

Oppose

3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

AB 966

Rep. Wittke

Break up Milwaukee Public Schools.

Oppose

Passed both houses of Legislature and ready to be send to Governor.

SB 963

Sen. Darling

Same as above.

Oppose

3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

AB 967

Rep. Wittke

Allow charter school governing boards to open additional charter schools without approval from school boards if charters are “high performing.”

Oppose

Passed both houses of Legislature and ready to be sent to Governor.

SB 965

Sen. Darling

Same as above.

Oppose

3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.  

AB 968

Rep. Wittke

Create Charter School Authorizing Board attached to DPI and allow board to authorize independent charter schools.

Oppose

Passed both houses of Legislature and ready to be sent to Governor.

SB 964

Sen. Darling

Same as above.

Oppose

3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

AB 969

Rep. Duchow

Use federal ARPA funds to pay for armed school resource officers; Require reporting of school incidents to law enforcement; Other changes.

Oppose

Passed Assembly; In Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

AB 970

Rep. Wittke

Eliminate income limits for voucher programs; Eliminate participation limits in statewide voucher program.

Oppose

Passed both houses of Legislature and ready to be sent to Governor.

SB 974

Sen. Roth

Same as above.

Oppose

3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

AB 995

Rep. Vos

Prohibit schools from requiring face masks if parents opt out and require schools to always offer in-person learning.

Oppose

Passed both houses of Legislature and ready to be sent to Governor.

SB 1011

Sen. Kapenga

Same as above.

Oppose

3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

AB 1039

Rep. Pope

Require teachers in voucher and Special Needs Voucher schools to have DPI licenses.

Support

2/17/22 Introduced and referred to Education Committee; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

AB 1041

Rep. Pope

Phase out Special Needs Scholarship program and limit enrollment in voucher programs.

Support

2/17/22 Introduced and referred to Education Committee; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

AB 1042

Rep. Pope

Only allow voucher school funding reduction if it has been approved by voters of a school district in a referendum vote.

Support

2/17/22 Introduced and referred to Education Committee; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

SB 961

Sen. Bewley

Same as above

Support

2/9/22 Introduced and referred to Education Committee; 3/15/22 Bill failed to pass.

AJR 8

Rep. Stubbs

Proclaim that racism and racial inequity constitute a health crisis in Wisconsin.

Support

2/18/21 Introduced and referred to Rules Committee; 3/16/21 Rep Stubbs added amendment; 3/15/22 Failed to adopt.

SJR 5
Sen. Agard

Recognize February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.

Support

2/5/21 Introduced and referred to Organization Committee; 2/16/21 Passed Senate; 3/11/21 Read and referred to Rules Committee; 3/15/22 Failed to adopt.

Clearinghouse Rule 20-082

Department of Public Instruction (DPI)

Create additional pathway for an MSW to obtain Tier II SSW license.

Monitor

Took effect 9/1/21.