All Roll Calls
Yes: 129 • No: 36
WisconsinSB4852025-2026 Wisconsin Legislature (Biennial Session)Senate
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)
Signed by Governor
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
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Safety rules protect children in residential care
Covered child welfare agencies, group homes, and shelter care facilities must adopt a safety-monitoring policy. The policy can include cameras in common areas, entrances, and exits, but cameras are not required. Facilities cannot replace one-on-one monitoring with video monitoring or recording for a child at high risk for self-harm.
Some patients face recording without consent
Patients can be filmed without consent in Goodland Hall at Mendota Mental Health Institute. This also applies to patients detained or committed under chapter 980, or under Department of Corrections custody or supervision. Bedrooms and bathrooms still require consent unless the patient is engaged in dangerous or disruptive behavior. Chapter 980 patients' treatment activities can also be recorded to assess treatment quality or support clinical supervision of staff. Consent rules remain for other situations.
Cameras in children's care, with privacy limits
Wisconsin residential care centers for children and youth, group homes, and shelter care facilities can use cameras without children's consent. This permission covers common areas, entrances, and exits, including for patients in covered chapter 48-licensed facilities. Facilities must tell the child and the child's parent, guardian, legal custodian, or Indian custodian. Recordings are confidential and closed to public inspection, with the exceptions for agency records under section 48.78(2). Wisconsin's Department of Children and Families can review recordings. The law takes 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
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
Published 4-4-2026
4/6/2026SenateReport approved by the Governor on 4-3-2026. 2025 Wisconsin Act 184
4/6/2026SenatePresented to the Governor on 4-2-2026
4/2/2026SenateReport correctly enrolled
3/20/2026SenateAction ordered immediately messaged
3/17/2026SenateAssembly Substitute Amendment 1 concurred in, Ayes 32, Noes 1
3/17/2026SenateDecision of the Chair stands as the judgment of the Senate, Ayes 18, Noes 15
3/17/2026SenatePoint of order that Senate Amendment 1 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 was not germane well taken
3/17/2026SenateSenate 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
3/17/2026SenatePlaced on calendar 3-17-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
3/16/2026SenateReceived from Assembly amended and concurred in as amended, Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 adopted
2/18/2026SenateOrdered immediately messaged
2/17/2026HouseRead a third time and concurred in as amended, Ayes 79, Noes 20
2/17/2026HouseRules suspended
2/17/2026HouseOrdered to a third reading
2/17/2026HouseAssembly Substitute Amendment 1 adopted
2/17/2026HouseAssembly Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Representative Dittrich
2/17/2026HouseRead a second time
2/17/2026HouseRules suspended to withdraw from calendar and take up
2/17/2026HouseAssembly Amendment 2 offered by Representative Haywood
2/17/2026HouseAssembly Amendment 1 offered by Representative Haywood
2/17/2026HouseWithdrawn from Committee on Rules and referred to calendar of 2-17-2026
2/13/2026HouseRead first time and referred to committee on Rules
1/16/2026HouseReceived from Senate
11/19/2025HouseSenator Smith added as a coauthor
11/18/2025Senate
Bill Text
Assembly Substitute Amendment 1
2/17/2026
Bill Text
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