Bills
That Died in the Legislature: (Updated: 08/18/2008)
- AB 119
History [Text in PDF]
Prohibits the Department of Health and Family Services from adding any amounts claimed for depreciation to a farmer’s or self-employed person’s income when determining whether they are eligible for Medical Assistance.WCDD SUPPORTS. This allows families to be determined eligible for Medical Assistance based on their actual income and assets.
- AB 124/SB 54
History [Text in PDF] (Comparison with Governor’s Proposal)
Allows people who are elderly or have physical disabilities in nursing homes to move to the community at an enhanced daily community rate. The funding goes back to Medicaid if the person dies or no longer is used in the community.Governor’s proposal passed. - AB 250
History [Text in PDF]
This bill creates a task force to study the actual cost of providing a sound, basic elementary and secondary education in the state. A final report is required within one year.WCDD SUPPORTS. The Council supports quality public education for all children and believes it is essential to determine the actual costs of a quality education.
- AB 252/SB 128
History [Text in PDF] (Talking Points for SB 128 and AB 252)
Increases the limits for insurance coverage of nervous or mental health disorders or alcoholism or other drug abuse problems.WCDD SUPPORTS. It is discrimination to treat mental or nervous health conditions differently than other health conditions or disabilities. Other states that do not discriminate have shown that costs of health insurance do not significantly rise.
- AB 451/SB 211
History [Text in PDF]
This is the Assembly's version of SB 211. Increases cigarette taxes by $1.00 per pack and also raises the tax on chewing tobacco to 57% of the list price. The first $15 million raised would be used for tobacco use control grants. Any additional funds raised would be put into a Medicaid trust fund to assist with the Medicaid budget.WCDD SUPPORTS. The tax increase will reduce the number of young people starting to smoke and help pay for the medical costs of smokers.
- AB 573
History [Text in PDF]
This bill reorganizes and revises statute 70.11. Currently property used and owned by non-profits is exempt from property taxes. This bill would take away that exemption in some circumstances for benevolent associations. - AB 622
History [Text in PDF]
This bill creates an income and franchise tax credit for work provided by community rehabilitation agencies formerly known as sheltered workshops. - AB 647/SB 310
History [Text in PDF]
This bill directs the Dept. of Public Instruction (DPI) to develop a model school poilicy on bullying. The policy will define and provide penalties for bullying. It also directs DPI to develop a model education and awareness program on bullying. The bill also directs all school boards to develop a policy on bullying.WCDD SUPPORTS WITH CONDITION. The WCDD supports the bill because children with disabilities are frequently the targets of bullies, however, the WCDD does not want teachers to be the sole decision makers on bullying situations.
- AB700
History [Text in PDF] [More Information] [WCA and QEC testimony]
This bill creates the Autism Scholarship Program. This program would provide an up to $15,000 scholarship to the parents of students identified with autism to pay for tuition to attend a specialized school to implement the student's IEP. The bill directs DPI to decrease each school district's state aid payment by the amount of the scholarships awarded to these students.WCDD OPPOSES. The Council believes it is unfair to use public funds for scholarships for students with a particular disability when the needs of students with other disabilities may be as great.
- AB 771
History [Text in PDF]
This bill provides an additional $15 million state increase over the biennium to increase nursing home Medicaid rates by 1.4%. Under the bill, nursing homes that receive the additional reimbursement must put at least 50% of the amount received for direct care staff wages, benefits, or hours for nursing home staff. - AB 782/SB 396
History [Text in PDF]
This bill takes away being able to register at the polls on election day. Voters would have to register 14 days in advance of the election. If a voter did register 14 days in advance but their name does not appear on the registration list, the voter can still vote but has to provide proof to the municipal clerk by the end of the next day for the vote to count. The bill also would let voters register when they apply for a driver’s license or renewal, at a office offering public assistance or providing state-funded services to people with disabilities.WCDD OPPOSES. People with disabilities may be able to get to their local polling place to register and then vote, but have trouble finding transportation to other places to register in advance of an election.
- AB 965
History [Text in PDF]
This bill would allow people with disabilities to place a disabled parking sticker on the license plate of a special interest vehicle. - AB 1027
History [Text in PDF]
This bill would establish the same penalties for mistreating a vulnerable child as currently exists for vulnerable adults. A vulnerable child is defined as a child with a developmental disability, mental illness or simliar incapacity. - AB 1142
History [Text in PDF]
This bill requires publishers to provide accessible instructional materials for students with disabilities enrolled in post-secondary schools at no additional cost. - AB 1146
History [Text in PDF]
The bill gives the same rights to a long-term care ombudsman to people livings in residential care apartment complexes as people living in nursing homes and community-based residential facilities. It also addresses caregiver background checks, nursing home staffing ratios and other items.
WCDD SUPPORTS. People living in any type of supportive living arrangement should have the same rights and protections.
- SB 46
History [Text in PDF]
This is the latest version of campaign finance reform. It changes the designations for the Wisconsin election campaign fund by individuals filing state income tax returns. It creates a nonrefundable individual income tax credit for contributions to the Public Integrity Endowment. It regulates candidate time on public broadcasting television stations and public access channels. It addresses statewide voter registration, staffing of the Elections Board, providing exemptions from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and provides penalties for non-compliance.WCDD SUPPORTS. Campaign finance reform helps level the playing field for people with disabilities who are unable to contribute financially to campaigns.
- SB 71
History [Text in PDF]
This bill would prohibit parents or others from suing health care providers (usually) for the costs of caring for a child with a disability and related medical expenses when the health care provider’s negligence during the first 6 months of pregnancy contributed to the mother’s decision not to have an abortion. - SB 199
History [Text in PDF]
This bill would change current law affecting where smoking is allowed indoors and where you could smoke outside the state capitol building. People with disabilities would be impacted by their inability to smoke indoors at work or if they live in a licensed nursing home, community-based residential facility (CBRF) or adult day care center. - SB 249
History [Text in PDF]
This legislation is proposed largely by the governor to make changes to the way elections are administered in the state. - SB 313
History [Text in PDF]
This bill requires that when Medicaid services are provided in schools to pupils that are Medicaid eligible, 100% of the federal reimbursement funding must be returned to the school districts or CESAs providing the services once the amount of funding is greater than $21 million in a school year. - SB 383
History [Text in PDF]
This bill modifies current education transportation law affecting children with disabilities. The bill will require school districts to pay for the transportation if four conditions are met. - SB 410
History [Text in PDF]
Current law allows a teacher to remove a student from a classroom who is violating the code of classroom conduct adopted by the school board. This bill extends the removal process to include school property and school sponsored events. It also requires the code of conduct to describe the types of behavior that would warrant removal.WCDD OPPOSES. The Council is concerned that behaviors or vocalizations by some children with disabilities would be considered intentional disruptions, rather than as natural reactions caused by the nature of the disabilities.
- SB 479
History [Text in PDF]
This bill introduces many reforms to the way electoral campaigns are financed. A system of public finance is described with limitations. - SB 635
History [Text in PDF]
This bill relates to the privileges of observers at elections and the procedure for challenging the qualifications of persons offering to vote. This bill requires a challenging elector to state the reasons for a challenge to the chief inspector at the poll. Current law, which is unchanged in this bill, allows an inspector to administer a test to determine whether the voter is qualified to vote. - SB 678
History [Text in PDF]
This bill puts limits and conditions on using seclusion and restraints as methods of controlling behavior of students in public and private schools.WCDD SUPPORTS. Every student should be treated in a respectful and appropriate manner consistent with the student’s best interest.
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