Six bills authored by Senator Jacque, including adoption reform and sexual assault survivors bill of rights, pass Senate Wednesday
MADISON… Six legislative initiatives authored by Senator André Jacque (New Franken) passed the State Senate today, including a bill to extend Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) coverage to part time and volunteer fire fighters and medical first responders, which is now headed to the desk of Governor Tony Evers.
In 2021, Sen. Jacque authored Act 29, which guaranteed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) coverage for law enforcement and full-time firefighters. Expanding on bipartisan work which accomplished this win for our community heroes, Sen. Jacque has pushed for extending PTSD coverage to other emergency responders, and his plan to include coverage for EMS and volunteer firefighters was included in the comprehensive workers compensation package Assembly Bill 651 which passed the Senate Wednesday 32-1.
“The heroes within our communities who have repeatedly rushed toward danger and scarring events and are in need of healing as a result deserve our support,” said Jacque. “This legislation is about fairness, and I am pleased to see this important proposal makes its way to the governor’s desk.”
The plan was developed as a result of deliberations between a broad range of interests, including Wisconsin Manufacturers and the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO. It currently has the support of the Wisconsin EMS Association, Wisconsin State Firefighter’s Association, Wisconsin Insurance Alliance, Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association and many other state organizations. The proposal passed the Assembly in January 97-0.
Other bills authored by Sen. Jacque passing the Senate on Wednesday include:
Adoption Process Reform Act (Senate Bill 79) – Legislation authored with Rep. Dave Maxey (New Berlin) to make significant reforms to the adoption system in Wisconsin passed the Senate on a voice vote.
Wisconsin’s current adoption system is considered far lengthier and more burdensome than most other states. SB 79 allows for the voluntary termination of parental rights for a child under one years old through a witnessed and notarized affidavit, rather than requiring the parent to appear in court. The bill also allows for payments to licensed out-of-state child placing agencies for adoption related services, expanding the options for families working across still lines while still maintaining appropriate government oversight.
“These changes will create a system that is easier to navigate both for birthparents by removing the fear and uncertainty surrounding mandatory court proceedings, and for the uncertainty experienced by adoptive parents about the permanency of the placement of the child with them,” said Jacque.
Sexual Assault Survivor Bill of Rights (Senate Bill 224) – Authored with Rep. Dave Murphy (Hortonville), bipartisan legislation drafted at the request of the national sexual assault victim rights group RISE to create a statewide bill of rights for sexual assault survivors passed the Senate on a voice vote.
“In 2020, Wisconsin voters overwhelming approved Marsy’s Law, which granted crime victims certain rights which guaranteed that their cases will be quickly and fairly handled,” said Jacque. “To strengthen existing constitutional rights with statutory enforcement mechanisms, SB 224 will require the state to process the kits of sexual assault victims in a timely manner, and keeps victims informed about the status of their kit throughout an investigation.”
If reasonable timelines are not met, sexual assault survivors can petition the Wisconsin Crime Victim Rights Board (CVRB), which has legislative authority to issue sanctions for violations of the statutory or constitutional rights of victims by public officials. The companion bill AB 236 passed the Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety last December unanimously 14-0. If enacted, Wisconsin would join 20 other states in establishing a bill of rights for sexual assault survivors.
Increased Penalties for Carfentanil Distribution (Senate Bill 692) – One of the most dangerous drugs now on the street is carfentanil, a synthetic opioid similar to fentanyl that is intended for exclusive use as a veterinary tranquilizer for large animals such as elephants, is now frequently being mixed with other illicit drugs, often without the knowledge of the person ingesting it. Carfentanil is 100 times more potent than fentanyl, and even someone exposed to trace amounts of the substance can experience disastrous health effects.
SB 692, authored in partnership with Rep. Jim Piwowarczyk (Hubertus), would increase the penalties for those who traffick carfentanil, with enhancers based on the total weight of any mixture containing the drug. The legislation was requested by prosecutors and narcotics officers, led by Manitowoc County District Attorney Jacalyn LaBre.
“Not only does carfentanil present a significant danger for those who knowingly or unknowingly take the drug, but law enforcement and first responders must also confront serious health risks from even accidental trace exposure,” said Jacque.
SB 692 passed the Senate on a voice vote. The companion bill AB 717 passed the Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety 14-1 in January, and will now be considered by the full Assembly.
Cosmetology Licensure Compact (Senate Bill 335) – Developed by the Council of State Governments and supported by the Department of Defense, domestic violence prevention advocates and industry stakeholders, bipartisan legislation to ratify and enter Wisconsin into the Cosmetology Licensure Compact passed the Senate on a voice vote.
Rep. Joy Goeben (Hobart) is the lead Assembly author. Ten states have already joined the compact, with four others including Wisconsin looking to join. The compact will allow cosmetologists to obtain a multistate license to practice in any member state, while still allowing Wisconsin to maintain control of our own regulatory standards.
“The compact model is one that is now successfully used in nine professions, with more being considered,” said Jacque. “This bill will remove regulatory barriers, while still ensuring that the highest industry safety and hygiene standards are maintained.”
Parental Notification for Changing Pupil Names (Assembly Bill 103) – Legislation authored with Rep. Barbara Dittrich (Oconomowoc) which would require school boards to involve parents in any name change for a student also passed the Senate Wednesday. This parental rights legislation passed the Assembly last spring, and will now be sent to the governor for consideration.
Senator André Jacque represents Northeast Wisconsin’s First Senate District, consisting of Door and Kewaunee Counties and portions of Brown, Calumet, Manitowoc, and Outagamie counties.
