This is the preview version of the Wisconsin State Legislature site.
Please see http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov for the production version.
Insurance
Coverage limits on certain prescription drugs
The bill prohibits insurers that offer health insurance, self-insured
governmental health plans, and pharmacy benefit managers from requiring, until
June 30, 2021, prior authorization for early refills of a prescription drug or otherwise
restricting the period in which a prescription drug may be refilled and from imposing
a limit on the quantity of prescription drugs that may be obtained if the quantity is
no more than a 90-day supply. These prohibitions do not apply if the prescription
drug is a controlled substance. The bill reinstates the prohibitions that were enacted
in 2019 Wisconsin Act 185 but that expired with the termination of the state of
emergency related to public health declared on March 12, 2020, by the governor.
Liability insurance for physicians and nurse anesthetists
The bill specifies that, until the earlier of the conclusion of a national emergency
declared by the U.S. president in response to the 2019 novel coronavirus or June 30,
2021, a physician or nurse anesthetist for whom Wisconsin is not a principal place
of practice but who is temporarily authorized to practice in Wisconsin may fulfill
financial responsibility requirements by filing with the commissioner of insurance
a certificate of insurance for a policy of health care liability insurance issued by an
insurer authorized in a certain jurisdiction specified in the bill. Additionally, under
those same circumstances, the physician or nurse anesthetist may elect to be covered
by Wisconsin's health care liability laws. These liability insurance provisions were
enacted in 2019 Wisconsin Act 185 but expired with the expiration of the state of
emergency related to public health declared on March 12, 2020, by the governor.
Out-of-network costs related to health coverage
The bill prohibits, until the conclusion of a national emergency declared by the
U.S. president in response to the 2019 novel coronavirus or June 30, 2021, whichever
is earlier, a defined network plan, including a health maintenance organization, or
preferred provider plan from requiring an enrollee of the plan to pay more for a
service, treatment, or supply provided by an out-of-network provider than if the
service, treatment, or supply is provided by an in-network provider. This prohibition
applies to any service, treatment, or supply that is related to the diagnosis of or
treatment for COVID-19 and that is provided by an out-of-network provider
because a participating provider is unavailable due to the emergency. For a service,
treatment, or supply provided under those circumstances, the bill requires the plan
to reimburse the out-of-network provider at 225 percent of the federal Medicare
program rate. Also, under those circumstances, any health care provider or facility
that provides a service, treatment, or supply to an enrollee of a plan but is not a
participating provider of that plan shall accept as payment in full any payment by
a plan that is at least 225 percent of the federal Medicare program rate and may not
charge the enrollee an amount that exceeds the amount that the provider or facility

is reimbursed by the plan. Similar prohibitions and requirements to these were
created in 2019 Wisconsin Act 185, but those prohibitions and requirements applied
only during the state of emergency related to public health declared on March 12,
2020, by the governor and for 60 days following the termination of that state of
emergency.
Coverage of COVID-19 testing without cost sharing
Current law, as created in 2019 Wisconsin Act 185, requires health insurance
policies and self-insured governmental health plans to cover, until March 13, 2021,
testing for COVID-19 without imposing any copayment or coinsurance. A health
insurance policy is referred to in the bill as a disability insurance policy. The bill
extends the Act 185 coverage requirement for testing and adds a requirement to
cover vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 until the earlier of
the conclusion of a national emergency declared by the U.S. president in response to
the 2019 novel coronavirus or June 30, 2021.
legislature
Transfer of moneys from sum sufficient appropriations
JCF may currently transfer moneys between sum certain and continuing
appropriations if JCF finds that unnecessary duplication of functions can be
eliminated, more efficient and effective methods for performing programs will result,
or legislative intent will be more effectively carried out because of the transfer.
The bill authorizes JCF to transfer moneys from sum sufficient appropriations
until the conclusion of a national emergency declared by the U.S. president in
response to the 2019 novel coronavirus or until June 30, 2021, whichever is earlier.
The total amount that may be transferred from all sum sufficient appropriations may
not exceed $100,000,000.
Public utilities
Loans to assist municipal utilities in maintaining liquidity
Under current law, the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands manages the
common school fund, the normal school fund, the university fund, and the
agricultural college fund (trust funds). Current law authorizes BCPL to manage and
invest moneys belonging to the trust funds in good faith and with the care an
ordinary prudent person in a like position would exercise under similar
circumstances.
This bill authorizes BCPL to loan moneys belonging to the trust funds to cities,
villages, and towns to ensure that a municipal utility under the control of the city,
village, or town is able to maintain liquidity. A municipal utility is a public utility
that is a city, village, or town or that is wholly owned or operated by a city, village,
or town. Each trust fund loan BCPL awards to a city, village, or town under the bill
is secured in the same manner as other trust fund loans BCPL awards to cities,
villages, and towns under current law. BCPL may not award a loan under the bill
after April 15, 2021.

retirement and group insurance
WRS annuities for critical workers
Under current law, certain people who receive a retirement or disability
annuity from the Wisconsin Retirement System and who are hired by an employer
that participates in the WRS must suspend that annuity and may not receive a WRS
annuity payment until the person is no longer in a WRS-covered position. This
suspension applies to a person who 1) has reached his or her normal retirement date;
2) is appointed to a position with a WRS-participating employer, or provides
employee services as a contractor to a WRS-participating employer; and 3) is
expected to work at least two-thirds of what is considered full-time employment by
the Department of Employee Trust Funds.
This bill creates an exception to this suspension if 1) the person is either hired
or provides employee services as a contractor in a critical position before the end of
the national emergency declared by the U.S. president in response to the 2019 novel
coronavirus or June 30, 2021, whichever is earlier; 2) at the time the person initially
retires from covered employment with a participating employer, the person does not
have an agreement with any participating employer to return to employment; and
3) the person elects to not become a participating employee at the time the person
is rehired or enters into a contract after retirement. In other words, the bill allows
a WRS annuitant who is either hired or provides employee services as a contractor
in a critical position before the earlier of the end of the national emergency declared
by the U.S. president in response to the 2019 novel coronavirus or June 30, 2021, to
return to work with an employer that participates in the WRS and continue to receive
his or her annuity.
safety and professional services
Optional licensure of third-party logistics providers
This bill creates an optional license for third-party logistics providers that are
located in the state or are located outside the state but provide third-party logistics
provider services in the state. A third-party logistics provider is defined under
current law as a person that contracts with a prescription drug manufacturer to
provide or coordinate warehousing, distribution, or other services on behalf of the
manufacturer but that does not take title to the manufacturer's prescription drug or
have general responsibility to direct the prescription drug's sale or disposition.
The bill requires an applicant for a third-party logistics provider license to
submit certain information prior to licensure, including proof of a recent facility
inspection, and a personal statement relating to a designated representative of the
facility. The license created by this bill will no longer apply if the federal Food and
Drug Administration establishes a licensing program for third-party logistics
providers under federal law and the Pharmacy Examining Board determines that
state licensure is not required for a resident third-party logistics provider to provide
third-party logistics services in another state.
The bill also directs the Pharmacy Examining Board to promulgate rules that
regulate third-party logistics providers and out-of-state third-party logistics
providers consistent with federal law. The authority of the Pharmacy Examining

Board to promulgate rules is restricted to only rules that are equivalent to
requirements under federal law, and only rules that do not mandate licensing under
state law.
This bill requires the Pharmacy Examining Board to issue interim licenses for
third-party logistics providers and out-of-state third-party logistics providers
between the date of enactment until permanent or emergency rules take effect,
whichever is sooner, if, in the opinion of the board, the applicant is currently in
compliance with federal law relating to third-party logistics providers. An interim
license to act as a third-party logistics provider or out-of-state third-party logistics
provider expires 90 days after the date that emergency rules take effect, or 90 days
after the date that permanent rules take effect, whichever is sooner. No fee is
required for an interim license to act as a third-party logistics provider or an
out-of-state third-party logistics provider.
Finally, the bill requires third-party logistics providers, whether or not
licensed under the bill, to cooperate with inspections of their facilities and delivery
vehicles.
Practice by health care providers from other states
The bill authorizes, in certain situations, health care providers licensed in
another state or territory to provide services for which they are licensed or certified.
Under the bill, a person who satisfies certain requirements and holds a valid,
unexpired credential in another state or territory as any of the following may provide
services in this state: 1) a physician, physician assistant, or perfusionist; 2) a nurse;
3) a dentist; 4) a pharmacist; 5) a psychologist; 6) a social worker, marriage and
family therapist, professional counselor, or clinical substance abuse counselor; 7) a
chiropractor; 8) a physical therapist; 9) a podiatrist; 10) a dietitian; 11) an athletic
trainer; 12) an occupational therapist; 13) an optometrist; 14) an acupuncturist; 15)
a speech-language pathologist or audiologist; or 16) a massage or bodywork
therapist. Generally, these practitioners may practice in this state and the
Department of Safety and Professional Services must grant them a temporary
credential if they apply for a temporary credential within 30 days of beginning to
practice for a health care employer.
The bill also specifies that a health care provider granted a temporary
credential under the bill may provide services through telehealth to a patient located
in this state.
Current law generally prohibits a person from engaging in certain health
care–related practices without holding a required credential.
Authorizing first- and second-year pharmacy students to administer
COVID-19 vaccines
Current law authorizes pharmacy students who have completed two years of
pharmacy school to administer vaccines under the supervision of a pharmacist. The
bill authorizes pharmacy students in their first or second year of pharmacy school
to administer vaccines under the supervision of a pharmacist. A first- or
second-year pharmacy student must complete 12 hours of training in vaccine
storage, protocols, administration technique, emergency procedures, and record
keeping to administer COVID-19 vaccines under the bill.

state government
Transfer of employees between executive branch agencies
This bill authorizes the secretary of administration to transfer employees from
any executive branch agency to another executive branch agency to provide services
for that agency. The transfer remains in effect until rescinded by the secretary of
administration or June 30, 2021, whichever is earlier. Under the bill, the agency to
which an employee is transferred must pay all salary and fringe benefit costs of that
employee.
This proposal may contain a health insurance mandate requiring a social and
financial impact report under s. 601.423, stats.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB1-SSA1,1 1Section 1 . 13.101 (4d) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1-SSA1,12,82 13.101 (4d) During the public health emergency declared on March 12, 2020,
3by executive order 72, and for a period of 90 days after termination of the emergency

4Until the conclusion of a national emergency declared by the U.S. president under
550 USC 1621 in response to the 2019 novel coronavirus or June 30, 2021, whichever
6is earlier
, the committee may transfer under sub. (4) an amount not to exceed
7$75,000,000 $100,000,000 from sum sufficient appropriations, as defined under s.
820.001 (3) (d), to be used for expenditures related to the emergency.
AB1-SSA1,2 9Section 2 . 36.11 (44) of the statutes is created to read:
AB1-SSA1,12,1310 36.11 (44) Satisfaction of course requirements through certain activities.
11 (a) In this subsection, “eligible activity” of a student means volunteering or working,
12for at least one semester, to assist Wisconsin in responding to the COVID-19
13pandemic.
AB1-SSA1,12,1614 (b) The board shall ensure that each institution offers students an opportunity
15to use hours engaged in an eligible activity to satisfy related course requirements to
16the extent appropriate, as determined by the institution.
AB1-SSA1,3
1Section 3. 38.04 (33) of the statutes is created to read:
AB1-SSA1,13,52 38.04 (33) Satisfaction of course requirements through certain activities.
3 (a) In this subsection, “eligible activity” of a student means volunteering or working,
4for at least one semester, to assist Wisconsin in responding to the COVID-19
5pandemic.
AB1-SSA1,13,86 (b) The board shall ensure that each district board offers students an
7opportunity to use hours engaged in an eligible activity to satisfy related course
8requirements to the extent appropriate, as determined by the district board.
AB1-SSA1,4 9Section 4 . 40.26 (5m) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1-SSA1,13,1610 40.26 (5m) During the public health Until the conclusion of a national
11emergency declared on March 12, 2020, by executive order 72 the U.S. president
12under 50 USC 1621 in response to the 2019 novel coronavirus or June 30, 2021,
13whichever is earlier
, sub. (5) does not apply if at least 15 days have elapsed between
14the termination of employment with a participating employer and becoming a
15participating employee if the position for which the participant is hired is a critical
16position, as determined by the secretary of health services under s. 323.19 (3).
AB1-SSA1,5 17Section 5 . 40.26 (6) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1-SSA1,13,2318 40.26 (6) (intro.) A Until the conclusion of a national emergency declared by
19the U.S. president under 50 USC 1621 in response to the 2019 novel coronavirus or
20June 30, 2021, whichever is earlier, a
participant who is hired during the public
21health emergency declared on March 12, 2020, by executive order 72,
may elect to
22not suspend his or her retirement annuity or disability annuity under sub. (1m) for
23the duration of the state of emergency if all of the following conditions are met:
AB1-SSA1,6 24Section 6 . 49.45 (39n) of the statutes is created to read:
AB1-SSA1,14,9
149.45 (39n) Pharmacy reimbursement for vaccines and COVID-19 tests. The
2department shall ensure that any vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and
3any test for COVID-19, which is the infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2
4coronavirus, that are covered under this subchapter and for which reimbursement
5for administration is made to any provider, are covered and reimbursed when the
6vaccine or test is administered by a pharmacy. As necessary to comply with this
7subsection, the department shall certify pharmacies as providers of Medical
8Assistance services for the purposes of covering and reimbursing pharmacies for
9administering vaccines and tests described in this subsection.
AB1-SSA1,7 10Section 7 . 50.083 of the statutes is created to read:
AB1-SSA1,14,12 1150.083 Visitation by essential visitor. (1) In this section, “essential visitor”
12means any of the following:
AB1-SSA1,14,1613 (a) An individual to visit and provide support to a resident in a nursing home
14or assisted living facility who is designated by the nursing home resident or assisted
15living facility resident or by the resident's guardian or health care agent under a
16power of attorney.
AB1-SSA1,14,1917 (b) The guardian of a nursing home or assisted living facility resident or the
18health care agent under a power of attorney for health care for a nursing home or
19assisted living facility resident.
AB1-SSA1,14,24 20(2) Subject to sub. (2m), each nursing home and assisted living facility shall
21allow at least one essential visitor, who agrees to comply with any public health
22policies of the nursing home or assisted living facility, to enter the nursing home or
23assisted living facility to visit the resident in compassionate care situations,
24including any of the following:
AB1-SSA1,15,3
1(a) The resident has recently been admitted to the nursing home or assisted
2living facility and is experiencing difficulty in adjusting to the change in
3environment and lack of family presence.
AB1-SSA1,15,44 (b) The resident is grieving the recent death of a friend or family member.
AB1-SSA1,15,65 (c) The resident is experiencing weight loss or dehydration due to lack of
6support from family or caregivers when eating or drinking.
AB1-SSA1,15,87 (d) The resident is experiencing emotional distress or a decline in ability or
8willingness to communicate.
AB1-SSA1,15,11 9(2m) A nursing home or assisted living facility may refuse to allow access for
10visitation to any essential visitor who refuses to comply with public health policies
11of the nursing home or assisted living facility.
AB1-SSA1,15,15 12(3) If the federal centers for medicare and medicaid services issues guidance
13that is more restrictive in allowing visitation than sub. (2), a nursing home or
14assisted living facility may comply with that guidance instead of complying with sub.
15(2).
AB1-SSA1,15,19 16(4) This section applies at any time a nursing home or assisted living facility
17limits visitors to the nursing home or assisted living facility due to an outbreak or
18epidemic of communicable disease in the community in which the nursing home or
19assisted living facility is located.
AB1-SSA1,8 20Section 8 . 108.04 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1-SSA1,15,2521 108.04 (3) (b) Paragraph (a) does not apply with respect to benefit years that
22begin after March 12, 2020, and before February 7 March 14, 2021. The department
23shall seek the maximum amount of federal reimbursement for benefits that are,
24during the time period specified in this paragraph, payable for the first week of a
25claimant's benefit year as a result of the application of this paragraph.
AB1-SSA1,9
1Section 9. 108.062 (20) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1-SSA1,16,102 108.062 (20) Suspensions of certain provisions. (intro.) Notwithstanding sub.
3(2), this subsection, and not sub. (2), applies to work-share plans submitted on or
4after April 17, 2020, and before December 31, 2020 the conclusion of a national
5emergency declared by the U.S. president under 50 USC 1621 in response to the 2019
6novel coronavirus or July 4, 2021, whichever is earlier
, subject to sub. (19). During
7that period, prior to implementing a work-share program, an employer shall submit
8a work-share plan for the approval of the department. In its submittal, the employer
9shall certify that its plan is in compliance with all requirements under this section.
10Each plan shall:
AB1-SSA1,10 11Section 10 . 108.07 (5) (bm) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1-SSA1,16,1612 108.07 (5) (bm) 1. The Subject to subd. 1m., the department shall, when
13processing initial claims for regular benefits, determine whether a claim or plan is
14related to the public health emergency declared on March 12, 2020, by executive
15order 72. If a claim is so related, the regular benefits for that claim shall, except as
16provided in subd. 2., be paid as provided in subd. 3.
AB1-SSA1,11 17Section 11 . 108.07 (5) (bm) 1m. of the statutes is created to read:
AB1-SSA1,16,2518 108.07 (5) (bm) 1m. For purposes of this paragraph, the department shall
19presume that an initial claim for benefit years beginning on or after March 15, 2020,
20through March 13, 2021, relates to the public health emergency declared on March
2112, 2020, by Executive Order 72 unless the claimant's most recent separation from
22employment is due to a labor dispute, voluntary termination of work, discharge for
23misconduct, or discharge for substantial fault. An employer is not required to submit
24a request for charging relief under this paragraph for initial claims described in this
25subdivision.
AB1-SSA1,12
1Section 12. 108.07 (5) (bm) 2. a. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1-SSA1,17,42 108.07 (5) (bm) 2. a. Subdivision 1. applies only with respect to benefits payable
3for weeks beginning after March 12, 2020, and beginning before December 31, 2020
4March 14, 2021.
AB1-SSA1,13 5Section 13 . 118.38 (4) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1-SSA1,17,86 118.38 (4) (a) (intro.) Beginning on the first day of the public health emergency
7declared on March 12, 2020, by executive order 72, and ending on October 31, 2020
82021, the department may do all of the following:
AB1-SSA1,14 9Section 14 . 118.38 (4) (a) 2. a. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1-SSA1,17,1210 118.38 (4) (a) 2. a. A deadline that occurs during the period beginning on the
11first day of the public health emergency declared on March 12, 2020, by executive
12order 72, and ending on October 31, 2020 2021.
AB1-SSA1,15 13Section 15 . 118.38 (4) (a) 2. b. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1-SSA1,17,1614 118.38 (4) (a) 2. b. A deadline for a requirement that affects a date during the
15period beginning on the first day of the public health emergency declared on March
1612, 2020, by executive order 72, and ending on October 31, 2020 2021.
AB1-SSA1,16 17Section 16 . 118.38 (4) (am) of the statutes is created to read:
AB1-SSA1,17,1918 118.38 (4) (am) Notwithstanding par. (a) 1., the department may not waive any
19of the following under this subsection:
AB1-SSA1,17,2020 1. The pupil assessment program under s. 118.30.
AB1-SSA1,17,2321 2. A requirement to administer the standardized reading test required under
22s. 121.02 (1) (r) or to administer a standardized reading test developed by the
23department to 3rd grade pupils.
AB1-SSA1,17 24Section 17 . 118.38 (4) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB1-SSA1,18,4
1118.38 (4) (c) A waiver under par. (a) 1. applies may apply only to the 2019-20
2school year, the 2020-21 school year, or both the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years.
3In each waiver under par. (a) 1., the department shall specify the school year or school
4years to which the waiver applies.
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