Current Legislative Action

Governor’s State Budget Provides Major Investments in School Mental Health;
Please Tell Legislators How Important School Nursing is to School Mental Health

On February 16, Governor Tony Evers released his proposed state budget for the 2021-23 biennium, which will run from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2023. The budget would provide more than a billion and a half new dollars for education. This includes programs that can fund school nursing.

The Governor’s budget is now before the Wisconsin Legislature. It first goes to the Joint Finance Committee and then both houses of the Legislature, before being sent back to the Governor for his signature and partial vetoes.

Please contact your state legislators and tell them to make education and school nursing a priority. Tell them how important school nursing is to mental health in schools.

If you do not know who your legislators are, go to legis.wisconsin.gov and enter your address at “Who Are My Legislators?” Call their offices or send them an email. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jack O’Meara, WASN’s lobbyist, at jack@omearapublicaffairs.com.

For the full details - Governor_s_State_Budget_-_School_Mental_Health2021.pdf

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Governor Signs Bill Expanding Mental Health Consultation for Students

At the State Capitol on Wednesday, February 5th, 2020 supporters for expansion of school-based mental health services in Wisconsin, gathered in the Governor’s office to celebrate the signing of 2019 WI Act 88, which expands existing Medicaid-funded consultation services to include connections with parents. WASN registered in support of this bill in 2019. Read the full press release here.

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Governor Evers signs SB 163/AB 175 Workplace Violence Against Nurses Legislation
This legislation delivers a Class H Felony for individuals who cause bodily harm to a nurse and other health care providers. According to the American Nurses Association one in four nurses are assaulted at work. WASN registered in support of this bill in 2019 in solidarity with the Wisconsin Nurses Association.