Wisconsin 2025 Regular Session Status: Introduced 9 D cosponsors

SB 837 — Relating to: grants for alternatives to prosecution and incarceration programs for persons with mental illness and making an appropriation. (FE)

Last action — Fiscal estimate received

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  1. 1
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed Assembly
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been introduced in the Senate. Introduced January 15, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee referral and hearing.

Prognosis

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Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

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Summary

An Act to amend 165.95 (5) (b), 302.43, 961.472 (5) (b), 967.11 (1), 967.11 (2) and 973.155 (1m); to create 20.455 (2) (er) and 165.958 of the statutes;

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

4 changes Share ↗

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes a new grant program focused on alternatives to incarceration for individuals with mental illness while making some amendments to existing statutes regarding grants and eligibility criteria.

  • 165.95 (5) (b)

    A county or tribe that receives a grant under this section shall comply with state audits and shall submit an annual report to the department of justice and to the oversight committee created under par. (a) regarding the impact of the program on jail and prison populations and its progress in attaining the goals specified in sub. (3) (b) and (f). → A county or tribe that receives a grant under this section shall comply with state audits and shall submit an annual report to the department and to the oversight committee created under par. (a) regarding its progress in attaining the goals specified in sub. (3) (c) and (f).

    This change updates the reporting requirements for counties or tribes that receive grants to focus on specific progress goals.

  • 302.43

    This section does not apply to a person who is confined in the county jail in connection with his or her participation in a substance abuse treatment program that meets the requirements of s. 165.95 (3), as determined by the department of justice under s. 165.95 (9) and (10). → This section does not apply to a person who is confined in the county jail in connection with his or her participation in a substance abuse treatment program or a mental health treatment program that meets the requirements of s. 165.95 (3), as determined by the department of justice under s. 165.95 (9) and (10).

    This change expands the exemption from good time calculations for inmates participating in mental health treatment programs.

  • 961.472 (5) (b)

    The person is participating in a substance abuse treatment program that meets the requirements of s. 165.95 (3), as determined by the department of justice under s. 165.95 (9) and (10). → The person is participating in a substance abuse treatment program or a mental health treatment program that meets the requirements of s. 165.95 (3), as determined by the department of justice under s. 165.95 (9) and (10).

    This change allows individuals in mental health treatment programs similar eligibility as those in substance abuse treatment programs for assessments.

  • 967.11 (1)

    “approved substance abuse treatment program” means a substance abuse treatment program that meets the requirements of s. 165.95 (3), as determined by the department of justice under s. 165.95 (9) and (10). → “approved substance abuse treatment program” means a substance abuse treatment program or a mental health treatment program that meets the requirements of s. 165.95 (3), as determined by the department of justice under s. 165.95 (9) and (10).

    This change allows mental health treatment programs to be recognized alongside substance abuse programs for approvals.

Action History

  1. Fiscal estimate received

  2. Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1

  3. Fiscal estimate received

  4. Representative Anderson added as a cosponsor

  5. Representative Palmeri added as a cosponsor

  6. Senator Keyeski added as a coauthor

  7. Read first time and referred to Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety

  8. Introduced by Senators Spreitzer, Wall, Carpenter, Dassler-Alfheim, L. Johnson, Larson, Pfaff and Ratcliff; cosponsored by Representatives Spaude, Bare, Cruz, DeSanto, DeSmidt, Emerson, Goodwin, Hysell, Joers, Johnson, Miresse, Moore Omokunde, Neubauer, Ortiz-Velez, Rivera-Wagner, Sheehan, Sinicki, Stroud, Subeck and Udell

Sponsors

  • Spaude · Cosponsor
  • Bare · Cosponsor
  • Cruz · Cosponsor
  • DeSanto · Cosponsor
  • DeSmidt · Cosponsor
  • Emerson · Cosponsor
  • Goodwin · Cosponsor
  • Hysell · Cosponsor
  • Joers · Cosponsor
  • Miresse · Cosponsor
  • Moore Omokunde · Cosponsor
  • Neubauer · Cosponsor
  • Ortiz-Velez · Cosponsor
  • Rivera-Wagner · Cosponsor
  • Sheehan · Cosponsor
  • Sinicki · Cosponsor
  • Stroud · Cosponsor
  • Subeck · Cosponsor
  • Udell · Cosponsor
  • Mark Spreitzer · Primary
  • Jamie Wall · Cosponsor
  • Tim Carpenter · Cosponsor
  • Kristin Dassler-Alfheim · Cosponsor
  • LaTonya Johnson · Cosponsor
  • Chris Larson · Cosponsor
  • Brad Pfaff · Cosponsor
  • Melissa Ratcliff · Cosponsor
  • LaTonya Johnson · Cosponsor

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 27 co-sponsors · 104 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (27)

Not signed on (104)

104 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety healthcare labor
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Frequently asked questions

What does SB 837 do?
An Act to amend 165.95 (5) (b), 302.43, 961.472 (5) (b), 967.11 (1), 967.11 (2) and 973.155 (1m); to create 20.455 (2) (er) and 165.958 of the statutes;
Who sponsors SB 837?
SB 837 is sponsored by Spaude, Bare, Cruz, DeSanto, DeSmidt, Emerson, Goodwin, Hysell, Joers, Miresse, Moore Omokunde, Neubauer, Ortiz-Velez, Rivera-Wagner, Sheehan, Sinicki, Stroud, Subeck, Udell, Spreitzer, Mark (Democrat), Wall, Jamie (Democrat), Carpenter, Tim (Democrat), Dassler-Alfheim, Kristin (Democrat), Johnson, LaTonya (Democrat), Larson, Chris (Democrat), Pfaff, Brad (Democrat), and Ratcliff, Melissa (Democrat).
What is the current status of SB 837?
This bill has been introduced in the Senate. Introduced January 15, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track SB 837?
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