WisconsinSB4852025-2026 Wisconsin Legislature (Biennial Session)SenateWALLET

An Act to amend 51.61 (1) (o); to create 48.672 of the statutes; Relating to: video monitoring or recording in residential care centers for children and youth, group homes, and shelter care facilities.

Sponsored By: Rachael Cabral-Guevara (Republican), Jesse James (Republican)

Became Law

Sen Bill 485Children -- Protection and servicesChildren and FamiliesDepartment ofData processingHealth ServicesDepartment of -- Supportive living and treatmentMental health -- Hospitals and institutesPrivacyYouth

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Video cameras in youth care facilities

Group homes, shelter care, and residential care centers can use video cameras in common areas, entrances, and exits. Consent from the child is not required. Facilities must tell the child and the child's parent, guardian, legal custodian, or Indian custodian about the cameras. Every covered facility must have a safety-monitoring policy, which can include video. Video cannot replace one-on-one checks for a child at high risk of self-harm. Recordings are confidential with limited legal exceptions, and the department may review them. The law also updates patient filming rights so children in these settings can be recorded as allowed here. These rules take effect 30 days after publication.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Rachael Cabral-Guevara

    Republican • Senate

  • Jesse James

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Elijah Behnke

    Republican • House

  • Barbara Dittrich

    Republican • House

  • Rick Gundrum

    Republican • House

  • Paul Melotik

    Republican • House

  • Jeffrey Mursau

    Republican • House

  • William Penterman

    Republican • House

  • Kevin Petersen

    Republican • House

  • Jim Piwowarczyk

    Republican • House

  • Jeff Smith

    Democratic • Senate

  • Chuck Wichgers

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 129 • No: 36

Senate vote 3/17/2026

Decision of the Chair stands as the judgment of the Senate, Ayes 18, Noes 15

Yes: 18 • No: 15

Senate vote 3/17/2026

Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 concurred in, Ayes 32, Noes 1

Yes: 32 • No: 1

House vote 2/17/2026

Read a third time and concurred in as amended, Ayes 79, Noes 20

Yes: 79 • No: 20

Actions Timeline

  1. Published 4-4-2026

    4/6/2026Senate
  2. Report approved by the Governor on 4-3-2026. 2025 Wisconsin Act 184

    4/6/2026Senate
  3. Presented to the Governor on 4-2-2026

    4/2/2026Senate
  4. Report correctly enrolled

    3/20/2026Senate
  5. Action ordered immediately messaged

    3/17/2026Senate
  6. Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 concurred in, Ayes 32, Noes 1

    3/17/2026Senate
  7. Decision of the Chair stands as the judgment of the Senate, Ayes 18, Noes 15

    3/17/2026Senate
  8. Point of order that Senate Amendment 1 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 was not germane well taken

    3/17/2026Senate
  9. Senate Amendment 1 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senators Smith, Habush Sinykin, Carpenter, Dassler-Alfheim, Drake, Hesselbein, L. Johnson, Keyeski, Larson, Pfaff, Ratcliff, Roys, Spreitzer, Wall and Wirch

    3/17/2026Senate
  10. Placed on calendar 3-17-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

    3/16/2026Senate
  11. Received from Assembly amended and concurred in as amended, Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 adopted

    2/18/2026Senate
  12. Ordered immediately messaged

    2/17/2026House
  13. Read a third time and concurred in as amended, Ayes 79, Noes 20

    2/17/2026House
  14. Rules suspended

    2/17/2026House
  15. Ordered to a third reading

    2/17/2026House
  16. Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 adopted

    2/17/2026House
  17. Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Representative Dittrich

    2/17/2026House
  18. Read a second time

    2/17/2026House
  19. Rules suspended to withdraw from calendar and take up

    2/17/2026House
  20. Assembly Amendment 2 offered by Representative Haywood

    2/17/2026House
  21. Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representative Haywood

    2/17/2026House
  22. Withdrawn from Committee on Rules and referred to calendar of 2-17-2026

    2/13/2026House
  23. Read first time and referred to committee on Rules

    1/16/2026House
  24. Received from Senate

    11/19/2025House
  25. Senator Smith added as a coauthor

    11/18/2025Senate

Bill Text

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