WisconsinAB802025-2026 Wisconsin Legislature (Biennial Session)HouseWALLET

An Act to renumber 457.25 (1); to amend 46.90 (4) (ab) 4., 48.56 (2), 48.561 (2), 49.45 (30j) (a) 1., 51.03 (6) (a), 55.043 (1m) (a) 4., 146.81 (1) (hg), 146.89 (1) (r) 6., 146.89 (1) (r) 7., 146.997 (1) (d) 11., 252.14 (1) (ar) 7., 252.15 (1) (er), 253.10 (2) (f), 303.08 (1) (f), 440.03 (13) (b) (intro.), 440.15, 446.01 (1v) (m), 450.10 (3) (a) 10., 457.01 (1c), 457.01 (1r), 457.01 (10), 457.02 (5) and (5m), 457.03 (2), 457.033, 457.035 (2), 457.04 (1), 457.04 (2), 457.04 (4), 457.04 (7), 457.09 (4) (b) 1., 457.09 (4) (b) 2., 457.24 (1), 457.26 (2) (intro.) and 905.04 (1) (g); to repeal and recreate 632.89 (1) (dm); to create 14.898, 440.03 (11m) (c) 2v., 440.03 (13) (c) 1. id., 457.01 (5g), 457.01 (5j), 457.01 (12), 457.08 (4m), 457.25 (1g) and subchapter III of chapter 457 [precedes 457.70] of the statutes; Relating to: ratification of the Social Work Licensure Compact. (FE)

Sponsored By: Clinton Anderson (Democratic), Mike Bare (Democratic), Barbara Dittrich (Republican), Steve Doyle (Democratic), Jodi Emerson (Democratic), Benjamin Franklin (Republican), Chanz Green (Republican), Rick Gundrum (Republican), Jenna Jacobson (Democratic), Alex Joers (Democratic), Tara Johnson (Democratic), Daniel Knodl (Republican), Paul Melotik (Republican), Vincent Miresse (Democratic), Supreme Moore Omokunde (Democratic), Jeffrey Mursau (Republican), Todd Novak (Republican), Jerry O'Connor (Republican), Christian Phelps (Democratic), Ann Roe (Democratic), Christine Sinicki (Democratic), Patrick Snyder (Republican), Shelia Stubbs (Democratic), Paul Tittl (Republican), Randy Udell (Democratic), Nancy VanderMeer (Republican), Robyn Vining (Democratic)

Became Law

Interstate compactSocial work

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Multistate social work licenses in Wisconsin

The law lets Wisconsin issue multistate bachelor’s, master’s, and clinical social work licenses to qualified applicants who pay the fee in s. 440.05(1). People who hold a multistate license from another compact state can use the matching Wisconsin title and practice here. The law defines the compact, multistate license, and multistate authorization. People using a multistate authorization count as credential holders and as health care professionals under state law.

New rules for SUD counseling titles

Only people certified as alcohol and drug counselors or who meet board training rules may use those titles. To treat substance use disorder as a specialty, you must be certified under s. 440.88 or meet board education and supervised training requirements. These rules also apply to people practicing under a multistate authorization.

Insurance and privacy for mental health

Insurance law now treats clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and professional counselors as licensed mental health professionals. Patients who speak with licensed or certified social workers get the same confidentiality protections, including when they reasonably believe the person is a covered social worker.

180-day transition if a state leaves

A state’s withdrawal takes effect 180 days after its repeal law. The state must notify all licensees right away and keep recognizing compact licenses for at least 180 days after the notice. The state must still report investigations and disciplinary actions that happened before withdrawal takes effect.

How the social work compact runs

The compact starts when the seventh state enacts it. The commission reviews the first seven states’ laws for differences and checks later joiners for compliance. States that join later follow the commission’s existing rules, and valid pre‑startup actions still count. Where state law conflicts with the compact, the compact controls; nonconflicting state laws still apply. The commission can deny or end a state’s membership for material constitutional conflicts, compact amendments need every member to pass them, agreements with nonmembers are allowed if they do not conflict, and commission–state agreements are binding. Wisconsin’s board appoints the state’s delegate to the commission.

Practice and discipline rules under compact

When you practice under a multistate authorization, you must follow the laws and standards of the state where the client is located. In Wisconsin, multistate practitioners must follow s. 440.03(13)(am) and are subject to the same chapter 440 discipline rules as in‑state license holders. The board can reprimand or limit, suspend, or revoke a Wisconsin credential or a multistate authorization. The board must set a code of ethics, define allowed services, and set any required supervision. Psychometric testing is allowed only as rules permit, and advanced or independent social workers who do psychotherapy must be supervised by the listed professionals.

Background checks and data sharing for compact licenses

The Department may require fingerprints when the compact authorizes it, and you may pay related fees. The Department can investigate applicants for multistate social work licenses when the compact requires it. The Department may share licensing and investigation records with the compact data system when required by the compact.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Clinton Anderson

    Democratic • House

  • Mike Bare

    Democratic • House

  • Barbara Dittrich

    Republican • House

  • Steve Doyle

    Democratic • House

  • Jodi Emerson

    Democratic • House

  • Benjamin Franklin

    Republican • House

  • Chanz Green

    Republican • House

  • Rick Gundrum

    Republican • House

  • Jenna Jacobson

    Democratic • House

  • Alex Joers

    Democratic • House

  • Tara Johnson

    Democratic • House

  • Daniel Knodl

    Republican • House

  • Paul Melotik

    Republican • House

  • Vincent Miresse

    Democratic • House

  • Supreme Moore Omokunde

    Democratic • House

  • Jeffrey Mursau

    Republican • House

  • Todd Novak

    Republican • House

  • Jerry O'Connor

    Republican • House

  • Christian Phelps

    Democratic • House

  • Ann Roe

    Democratic • House

  • Christine Sinicki

    Democratic • House

  • Patrick Snyder

    Republican • House

  • Shelia Stubbs

    Democratic • House

  • Paul Tittl

    Republican • House

  • Randy Udell

    Democratic • House

  • Nancy VanderMeer

    Republican • House

  • Robyn Vining

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Jill Billings

    Democratic • House

  • Rachael Cabral-Guevara

    Republican • Senate

  • Tim Carpenter

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kristin Dassler-Alfheim

    Democratic • Senate

  • Dora Drake

    Democratic • Senate

  • Russell Goodwin

    Democratic • House

  • Jodi Habush Sinykin

    Democratic • Senate

  • Andrew Hysell

    Democratic • House

  • Jesse James

    Republican • Senate

  • Sarah Keyeski

    Democratic • Senate

  • Chris Larson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Renuka Mayadev

    Democratic • House

  • Brad Pfaff

    Democratic • Senate

  • Melissa Ratcliff

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jeff Smith

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lee Snodgrass

    Democratic • House

  • Mark Spreitzer

    Democratic • Senate

  • Rob Stafsholt

    Republican • Senate

  • Jamie Wall

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Published 4-9-2026

    4/9/2026House
  2. Report approved by the Governor on 4-8-2026. 2025 Wisconsin Act 232

    4/9/2026House
  3. Presented to the Governor on 4-2-2026

    4/2/2026House
  4. Report correctly enrolled on 2-26-2026

    2/26/2026House
  5. LRB correction

    2/26/2026House
  6. Received from Senate concurred in

    2/18/2026House
  7. Ordered immediately messaged

    2/18/2026Senate
  8. Senator Smith added as a cosponsor

    2/18/2026Senate
  9. Read a third time and concurred in

    2/18/2026Senate
  10. Rules suspended to give bill its third reading

    2/18/2026Senate
  11. Ordered to a third reading

    2/18/2026Senate
  12. Read a second time

    2/18/2026Senate
  13. Placed on calendar 2-18-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

    2/17/2026Senate
  14. Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2

    2/17/2026Senate
  15. Representative Goodwin added as a coauthor

    8/14/2025Senate
  16. Available for scheduling

    6/27/2025Senate
  17. Read first time and referred to committee on Senate Organization

    6/27/2025Senate
  18. Received from Assembly

    6/24/2025Senate
  19. Ordered immediately messaged

    6/24/2025House
  20. Read a third time and passed

    6/24/2025House
  21. Rules suspended

    6/24/2025House
  22. Ordered to a third reading

    6/24/2025House
  23. Read a second time

    6/24/2025House
  24. Representatives Andraca and Stroud added as coauthors

    6/24/2025House
  25. Withdrawn from Committee on Rules and referred to calendar of 6-24-2025

    6/20/2025House

Bill Text

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