WisconsinSB1902025-2026 Wisconsin Legislature (Biennial Session)SenateWALLET

An Act to renumber 448.05 (5r); to amend 146.81 (1) (d), 146.997 (1) (d) 5., 256.15 (4) (a) 3., 440.03 (9) (a) (intro.) and 2., 440.03 (13) (b) (intro.), 440.15, 448.01 (9s), 448.01 (12), 448.02 (3) (a) to (c), (e), (f) and (h), 448.02 (4) (a) and (b), 448.02 (5), 448.02 (6), 448.02 (8) (a), 448.02 (8) (c), 448.03 (1m), 448.05 (5r) (title), 448.07 (1) (b), 448.07 (1) (c), 448.07 (1) (d), 448.07 (2), 448.08 (1m), 448.08 (4), 448.12, 448.13 (1) (a), 448.13 (2), 448.13 (3) and 990.01 (28); to repeal and recreate 448.02 (3) (a), 448.07 (title), 448.07 (1) (title) and 448.07 (1) (a); to create 14.832, 440.03 (11m) (c) 2rm., 440.03 (13) (c) 1. m., 448.015 (2m), 448.04 (1) (im), 448.04 (2m), 448.05 (1) (e), 448.05 (5r) (b), 448.05 (6) (av), 448.06 (3) and subchapter XIV of chapter 448 [precedes 448.9886] of the statutes; Relating to: ratification of the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact. (FE)

Sponsored By: Rachael Cabral-Guevara (Republican), Patrick Testin (Republican)

Became Law

Sen Bill 190Interstate compactMedical service -- Occupations

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.

Respiratory therapists can practice across states

The law creates a compact so licensed respiratory therapists can work in other member states with a compact privilege. You may practice in Wisconsin with either a state certificate or a compact privilege. To use a compact privilege, you must keep an active home‑state license and active NBRC credential, have no adverse action in the last 2 years, meet any state law test, pay fees, report domicile changes and nonmember adverse actions within 30 days, and follow each state’s scope of practice. If your home license is encumbered, you lose all compact privileges until it is clear and 2 years have passed. Active‑duty military members and spouses can keep a home state and pay no commission fees; states may also reduce other fees. If state law conflicts with the compact on these topics, the compact controls.

How the respiratory compact starts and runs

The compact takes effect when the seventh state passes it. After that, the commission meets and checks early state laws for big differences. The commission can make binding rules, with public notice and hearings. In emergencies, it can act with 24 hours’ notice. State regulators may share compact‑required data with the compact’s system. This Act itself takes effect the day after it is published, unless a section says otherwise.

Interstate commission and data system

The law sets up an interstate commission to run the compact, and Wisconsin names a commissioner. Any commission rules already in place become Wisconsin law when the compact takes effect. The commission runs a shared database of licenses, actions, and investigations; it excludes criminal‑history records and must remove expunged data. Member states can act on licenses and compact privileges, share significant investigative information, use subpoenas, and recover costs. The commission and states have tools to enforce rules and settle disputes.

Stronger oversight for compact practitioners

Compact‑privilege holders face the same investigations and discipline as state licensees. The board may warn, limit, suspend, or revoke, and can summarily suspend a credential when it has probable cause. Holders can get confidential warnings for minor issues and later ask for restoration; the board may refuse a voluntary surrender if misconduct is alleged. Applicants and compact holders are subject to department investigations and must follow state compliance laws; referral fee‑splitting is banned. A change to the licensure/discipline subsection takes effect March 1, 2026.

Compact therapists on child air transfers

Wisconsin treats holders of a respiratory care compact privilege like licensed or certified practitioners in chapter 448. When a child is flown between hospitals, the air ambulance team may include one respiratory care practitioner who is certified or holds a compact privilege, in addition to other required staff. This lets compact‑privileged therapists help on these pediatric flights and reduces confusion about who can practice.

Rules for joining or leaving compact

To join, a state must pass the model law, license therapists, share data, handle complaints, report actions, follow commission rules, and run background checks for new licensees. If a state repeals the compact, withdrawal takes effect 180 days later and the state must notify licensees right away. The state must keep recognizing compact licenses for at least 180 days after notice and keep reporting actions that happened before withdrawal. Any change to the compact takes effect only after every member state passes it into law.

Fees and renewals for compact holders

Applicants must pay the standard application fee, and the state may also charge a compact‑privilege fee. The department reviews and may change initial, reciprocal, and renewal fees every 2 years. You must renew by your due date; compact‑privilege renewals follow compact rules, and the department sets renewal fees. You must show you meet compact eligibility and may need fingerprints or other biometrics when the compact requires background checks. You must post your license or privilege where you work. The board cannot require a statutes‑and‑rules exam for initial certification or renewal; you may have to affirm you read the laws.

Bills must list each clinician

Doctor groups can send one combined bill. The bill must name each licensed, certified, or compact‑privileged person who treated you. Patients get clearer information. Clinics and partnerships must add these identifications, which adds billing work.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Rachael Cabral-Guevara

    Republican • Senate

  • Patrick Testin

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Barbara Dittrich

    Republican • House

  • Cindi Duchow

    Republican • House

  • Rick Gundrum

    Republican • House

  • Daniel Knodl

    Republican • House

  • Paul Melotik

    Republican • House

  • David Murphy

    Republican • House

  • Jerry O'Connor

    Republican • House

  • Sylvia Ortiz-Velez

    Democratic • House

  • Jessie Rodriguez

    Republican • House

  • Patrick Snyder

    Republican • House

  • Lisa Subeck

    Democratic • House

  • Chuck Wichgers

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Published 12-10-2025

    12/10/2025Senate
  2. Report approved by the Governor on 12-9-2025. 2025 Wisconsin Act 76

    12/10/2025Senate
  3. Presented to the Governor on 12-4-2025

    12/4/2025Senate
  4. Representative Ortiz-Velez added as a cosponsor

    12/1/2025Senate
  5. Report correctly enrolled

    11/24/2025Senate
  6. LRB correction

    11/24/2025Senate
  7. Representative Subeck added as a cosponsor

    11/24/2025Senate
  8. Received from Assembly concurred in

    11/20/2025Senate
  9. Ordered immediately messaged

    11/19/2025House
  10. Read a third time and concurred in

    11/19/2025House
  11. Rules suspended

    11/19/2025House
  12. Ordered to a third reading

    11/19/2025House
  13. Read a second time

    11/19/2025House
  14. Rules suspended to withdraw from Senate message and take up

    11/19/2025House
  15. Read

    11/19/2025House
  16. Received from Senate

    11/19/2025House
  17. Ordered immediately messaged

    11/18/2025Senate
  18. Read a third time and passed

    11/18/2025Senate
  19. Rules suspended to give bill its third reading

    11/18/2025Senate
  20. Ordered to a third reading

    11/18/2025Senate
  21. Senate Amendment 1 adopted

    11/18/2025Senate
  22. Read a second time

    11/18/2025Senate
  23. Placed on calendar 11-18-2025 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

    11/14/2025Senate
  24. Available for scheduling

    10/28/2025Senate
  25. Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Health, Ayes 5, Noes 0

    10/28/2025Senate

Bill Text

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