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: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 4 mixed.
Social workers gain interstate practice access
Wisconsin joins a compact that takes effect when the seventh state enacts it. Eligible social workers can practice across member states, including by telehealth, using one home-state multistate license. States choose which bachelor's, master's, and clinical categories they offer; applicants need an unrestricted home-state license and must pay fees. Clinical applicants need an accredited or recognized social work master's degree, plus 3,000 supervised postgraduate clinical hours or two full-time years. They must also meet the approved clinical exam requirement or qualify through prior clinical licensure or substantial equivalency.
Patient privilege covers defined social workers
Wisconsin's social worker-patient privilege includes people licensed or certified in the social-work roles listed in state law. It also includes someone the patient reasonably believes holds one of those roles. This definition helps determine whose patient communications qualify for the legal privilege.
Military social workers keep licensing home
An active-duty service member or their spouse can keep the same home state for a social work multistate license. This protection lasts while the service member is on active duty. Other compact licensing requirements still apply.
Licensing and insurance costs for practitioners
Wisconsin charges its existing licensing fee for multistate licenses, and home-state renewal rules and fees apply. The new compact commission represents member-state licensing authorities and can charge annual state assessments and licensee fees. These charges cover its approved budget only to the extent other revenue does not; no amounts are specified. The commission cannot pledge a state's credit without permission and must obtain an annual independent accountant's financial review. Clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and professional counselors must carry liability insurance, with minimum coverage set by Wisconsin's examining board.
Compact officials gain civil suit protections
Commission members, officers, staff, and representatives are protected from civil suits for actions within their commission duties. This also covers actions reasonably believed to fall within those duties. The commission must defend them and cover qualifying claims. These protections do not cover intentional, willful, or wanton misconduct.
Moving social workers face licensing checks
Social workers moving between member states must immediately apply to their new home state to reissue their multistate license. Reissuance requires state and federal criminal-history checks using fingerprints or other biometric information, plus required verification. Workers who do not qualify for reissuance must meet the new state's single-state licensing requirements. Those requirements also apply when moving between a member and nonmember state. Workers can hold several single-state licenses, but only one home state and one multistate license.
Interstate social workers face coordinated oversight
Social workers must follow the laws and care standards where their client is located, including Wisconsin's licensing and discipline rules. Only the home state can discipline the multistate license itself; other states can restrict local practice or impose fines. States must follow their laws and due process, and home-state license restrictions deactivate practice elsewhere until removed or satisfied. Workers must report adverse action or license restrictions to their home state within 30 days. States can investigate jointly, share findings, and recover investigation costs when state law allows; pending home-state investigations continue after a move.
Social worker records shared across states
The commission must run a shared license-data system and give each multistate applicant a unique ID. Member states must submit required licensing, discipline, denial, alternative-program, and significant investigation records. Wisconsin's licensing department can disclose information when the compact requires it. Current significant investigation information is available only to member states, and contributing states can restrict public sharing of certain records. Records later expunged under federal or contributing-state law must be removed.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Representative Palmeri added as a coauthor
5/21/2026HousePublished 4-9-2026
4/9/2026HouseReport approved by the Governor on 4-8-2026. 2025 Wisconsin Act 232
4/9/2026HousePresented to the Governor on 4-2-2026
4/2/2026HouseReport correctly enrolled on 2-26-2026
2/26/2026HouseLRB correction
2/26/2026HouseReceived from Senate concurred in
2/18/2026HouseOrdered immediately messaged
2/18/2026SenateSenator Smith added as a cosponsor
2/18/2026SenateRead a third time and concurred in
2/18/2026SenateRules suspended to give bill its third reading
2/18/2026SenateOrdered to a third reading
2/18/2026SenateRead a second time
2/18/2026SenatePlaced on calendar 2-18-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
2/17/2026SenatePublic hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2
2/17/2026SenateRepresentative Goodwin added as a coauthor
8/14/2025SenateAvailable for scheduling
6/27/2025SenateRead first time and referred to committee on Senate Organization
6/27/2025SenateReceived from Assembly
6/24/2025SenateOrdered immediately messaged
6/24/2025HouseRead a third time and passed
6/24/2025HouseRules suspended
6/24/2025HouseOrdered to a third reading
6/24/2025HouseRead a second time
6/24/2025HouseRepresentatives Andraca and Stroud added as coauthors
6/24/2025House
Bill Text
Bill Text
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