Madison – Representative Barbara Dittrich (R – Oconomowoc) was overjoyed to learn of the Governor signing 2025 Senate Bill 678 into law, now as 2025 Wisconsin Act 99. This bipartisan-supported legislation, which she authored along with State Senator Jesse James, expands preliminary screening options for suspected impaired drivers of vehicle on roads, trails, and waterways by allowing law enforcement officers to use oral fluid testing in addition to traditional breath tests.
“Impaired operating harms and kills too many Wisconsin families every year—whether from alcohol, marijuana, opioids, other drugs, or a combination,” said Representative Dittrich. “This law arms our officers with a faster, non-invasive way to detect drug impairment at the roadside when breath tests alone aren’t enough. It’s a critical step toward public safety.”
Under the new law, officers may request preliminary samples of breath, oral fluids, or both when an individual is suspected of impairment. Results can only be used to establish probable cause for arrest or further testing.
Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt also expressed his appreciation by adding, “I want to thank the Legislature for advancing this critical public safety measure. Giving law enforcement the ability to use oral fluid testing provides a powerful new tool to identify impaired drivers and will play an important role in protecting families and making our roads safer.”
Representative Dittrich also authored Senate Bill 920, which was also signed into law as 2025 Wisconsin Act 101 on the same day, allowing advanced practice nurses to provide medical excuses for school absences.
