SB70: Bill Text

SB70,1927 Section 1927 . 111.32 (12) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1130,25 111.32 (12) “Marital status" means the status of being married, single, divorced, separated, or widowed a surviving spouse.

SB70,1928 Section 1928. 111.321 of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1131,10 111.321 Prohibited bases of discrimination. Subject to ss. 111.33 to 111.365, no employer, labor organization, employment agency, licensing agency, or other person may engage in any act of employment discrimination as specified in s. 111.322 against any individual on the basis of age, race, creed, color, disability, marital status, sex, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, arrest record, conviction record, military service, status as a holder or nonholder of a license under s. 343.03 (3r), use or nonuse of lawful products off the employer's premises during nonworking hours, or declining to attend a meeting or to participate in any communication about religious matters or political matters.

SB70,1929 Section 1929 . 111.322 (2m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1131,15 111.322 (2m) (a) The individual files a complaint or attempts to enforce any right under s. 103.02, 103.10, 103.105, 103.11, 103.13, 103.28, 103.32, 103.34, 103.455, 103.50, 104.12, 109.03, 109.07, 109.075, 146.997, or 995.55, or ss. 101.58 to 101.599 or 103.64 to 103.82.

SB70,1930 Section 1930 . 111.322 (2m) (a) of the statutes, as affected by 2023 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is amended to read:

SB70,1131,21 111.322 (2m) (a) The individual files a complaint or attempts to enforce any right under s. 103.02, 103.10, 103.105, 103.11, 103.13, 103.135, 103.28, 103.32, 103.34, 103.455, 103.50, 104.12, 109.03, 109.07, 109.075, 146.997, or 995.55, or ss. 101.58 to 101.599 or 103.64 to 103.82.

SB70,1931 Section 1931 . 111.322 (2m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1132,2 111.322 (2m) (b) The individual testifies or assists in any action or proceeding held under or to enforce any right under s. 103.02, 103.10, 103.105, 103.11, 103.13, 103.28, 103.32, 103.34, 103.455, 103.50, 104.12, 109.03, 109.07, 109.075, 146.997, or 995.55, or ss. 101.58 to 101.599 or 103.64 to 103.82.

SB70,1932 Section 1932 . 111.322 (2m) (b) of the statutes, as affected by 2023 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is amended to read:

SB70,1132,8 111.322 (2m) (b) The individual testifies or assists in any action or proceeding held under or to enforce any right under s. 103.02, 103.10, 103.105, 103.11, 103.13, 103.135, 103.28, 103.32, 103.34, 103.455, 103.50, 104.12, 109.03, 109.07, 109.075, 146.997, or 995.55, or ss. 101.58 to 101.599 or 103.64 to 103.82.

SB70,1933 Section 1933 . 111.322 (2m) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

SB70,1132,12 111.322 (2m) (c) The individual files a complaint or attempts to enforce a right under s. 66.0903, 103.49, or 229.8275 or testifies or assists in any action or proceeding under s. 66.0903, 103.49, or 229.8275.

SB70,1934 Section 1934. 111.335 (3) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 111.335 (3) (ar).

SB70,1935 Section 1935 . 111.335 (3) (ag) of the statutes is created to read:

SB70,1132,20 111.335 (3) (ag) 1. Employment discrimination because of conviction record includes a prospective employer requesting an applicant for employment, on an application form or otherwise, to supply information regarding the conviction record of the applicant, or otherwise inquiring into or considering the conviction record of an applicant for employment, before the applicant has been selected for an interview by the prospective employer.

SB70,1132,24 2. Subdivision 1. does not prohibit a prospective employer from notifying applicants for employment that, subject to this section and ss. 111.321 and 111.322, an individual with a particular conviction record may be disqualified by law or under the employer's policies from employment in particular positions.

SB70,1936 Section 1936. 111.335 (3) (ah) of the statutes is created to read:

SB70,1133,7 111.335 (3) (ah) 1. Employment discrimination because of conviction record includes, but is not limited to, requesting an applicant, employee, member, licensee, or any other individual, on an application form or otherwise, to supply information regarding a crime the record of which has been expunged under s. 973.015. A request to supply information regarding criminal convictions shall not be construed as a request to supply information regarding a crime the record of which has been expunged under s. 973.015.

SB70,1133,13 2. Notwithstanding par. (ar) 1., and except as provided in par. (g), it is employment discrimination because of conviction record for an employer or licensing agency to engage in any act of employment discrimination specified in s. 111.322 on the basis of a conviction the record of which has been expunged under s. 973.015. This subdivision does not apply to the extent that its application conflicts with federal law.

SB70,1937 Section 1937. 111.335 (3) (g) of the statutes is created to read:

SB70,1133,19 111.335 (3) (g) Notwithstanding s. 111.322, it is not employment discrimination because of conviction record for the law enforcement standards board to refuse to certify, recertify, or allow to participate in a preparatory training program or to decertify under s. 165.85 an individual who has a conviction the record of which has been expunged under s. 973.015.

SB70,1938 Section 1938. 111.335 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1133,25 111.335 (4) (b) It is employment discrimination because of conviction record for a licensing agency to refuse to license any individual under sub. (3) (a) (ar) 1. or to bar or terminate an individual from licensing under sub. (3) (a) (ar) 1. because the individual was adjudicated delinquent under ch. 938 for an offense other than an exempt offense.

SB70,1939 Section 1939. 111.335 (4) (c) 1. (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1134,4 111.335 (4) (c) 1. (intro.) If a licensing agency refuses to license an individual under sub. (3) (a) (ar) 1. or bars or terminates an individual from licensing under sub. (3) (a) (ar) 1., the licensing agency shall, subject to subd. 2., do all of the following:

SB70,1940 Section 1940. 111.335 (4) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1134,10 111.335 (4) (e) A state licensing agency that may refuse to license individuals under sub. (3) (a) (ar) 1. or that may bar or terminate an individual from licensure under sub. (3) (a) (ar) 1. shall publish on the agency's Internet site a document indicating the offenses or kinds of offenses that may result in such a refusal, bar, or termination.

SB70,1941 Section 1941. 111.335 (4) (f) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1134,17 111.335 (4) (f) 1. A state licensing agency that may refuse to license individuals under sub. (3) (a) (ar) 1. or that may bar or terminate individuals from licensing under sub. (3) (a) (ar) 1. shall allow an individual who does not possess a license to, without submitting a full application and without paying the fees applicable to applicants, apply to the agency for a determination of whether the individual would be disqualified from obtaining the license due to his or her conviction record.

SB70,1942 Section 1942 . 111.35 (2) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1134,21 111.35 (2) (e) Conflicts with any federal or state statute, rule or regulation. This paragraph does not apply with respect to violations concerning marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinols under 21 USC 841 to 865.

SB70,1943 Section 1943. 111.36 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1134,24 111.36 (title) Sex, sexual orientation , gender expression, gender identity; exceptions and special cases.

SB70,1944 Section 1944. 111.36 (1) (br) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1135,11 111.36 (1) (br) Engaging in harassment that consists of unwelcome verbal or physical conduct directed at another individual because of that individual's gender, gender expression, or gender identity, other than the conduct described in par. (b), and that has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile , or offensive work environment or has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with that individual's work performance. Under this paragraph, substantial interference with an employee's work performance or creation of an intimidating, hostile , or offensive work environment is established when the conduct is such that a reasonable person under the same circumstances as the employee would consider the conduct sufficiently severe or pervasive to interfere substantially with the person's work performance or to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.

SB70,1945 Section 1945. 111.36 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1135,16 111.36 (1) (c) Discriminating against any woman individual on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, maternity parental leave, or related medical conditions by engaging in any of the actions prohibited under s. 111.322, including, but not limited to, actions concerning fringe benefit programs covering illnesses and disability.

SB70,1946 Section 1946. 111.36 (1) (d) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1135,24 111.36 (1) (d) 1. For any employer, labor organization, licensing agency or employment agency or other person to refuse Refusing to hire, employ, admit or license, or to bar or terminate any individual; barring or terminating from employment, membership, or licensure any individual ,; or to discriminate discriminating against an any individual in promotion, in compensation , or in the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because of the individual's sexual orientation; or, gender expression, or gender identity.

SB70,1947 Section 1947. 111.36 (1) (d) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1136,6 111.36 (1) (d) 2. For any employer, labor organization, licensing agency or employment agency or other person to discharge Discharging or otherwise discriminate discriminating against any person because he or she the person has opposed any discriminatory practices under this paragraph or because he or she the person has made a complaint, testified or assisted in any proceeding under this paragraph.

SB70,1948 Section 1948. 111.36 (4) of the statutes is created to read:

SB70,1136,12 111.36 (4) Notwithstanding s. 111.322, it is not employment discrimination for an employer to require an employee to adhere to reasonable workplace appearance, grooming, and dress standards not precluded by other provisions of state or federal law, provided that an employer shall allow an employee to appear or dress consistently with the employee's gender identity or gender expression.

SB70,1949 Section 1949 . 111.39 (4) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1137,2 111.39 (4) (d) The department shall serve a certified copy of the findings and order on the respondent, the order to have the same force as other orders of the department and be enforced as provided in s. 103.005. The department shall also serve a certified copy of the findings and order on the complainant, together with a notice advising the complainant about the right to seek, and the time for seeking, review by the commission under sub. (5); about the right to bring, and the time for bringing, an action for judicial review under s. 111.395; and about the right to bring, and the time for bringing, an action under s. 111.397 (1) (a). Any person aggrieved by noncompliance with the order may have the order enforced specifically by suit in equity. If the examiner finds that the respondent has not engaged in discrimination, unfair honesty testing, or unfair genetic testing as alleged in the complaint, the department shall serve a certified copy of the examiner's findings on the complainant, together with an order dismissing the complaint.

SB70,1950 Section 1950 . 111.39 (5) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1137,14 111.39 (5) (b) If no petition is filed the respondent or complainant does not file a petition under par. (a) within 21 days from the date that a copy of the findings and order of the examiner is mailed to the last-known address of the respondent served on that party, the findings and order shall be considered final for purposes of enforcement under sub. (4) (d). If a timely petition is filed, the commission, on review, may either affirm, reverse, or modify the findings or order in whole or in part, or set aside the findings and order and remand to the department for further proceedings. Such actions shall be based on a review of the evidence submitted. If the commission is satisfied that a respondent or complainant has been prejudiced because of exceptional delay in the receipt of a copy of any findings and order it, the commission may extend the time another 21 days for filing the petition with the department.

SB70,1951 Section 1951 . 111.39 (5) (d) of the statutes is created to read:

SB70,1137,21 111.39 (5) (d) The commission shall serve a certified copy of the commission's decision on the respondent. The commission shall also serve a certified copy of the commission's decision on the complainant, together with a notice advising the complainant about the right to bring, and the time for bringing, an action for judicial review under s. 111.395 and about the right to bring, and the time for bringing, an action under s. 111.397 (1) (a).

SB70,1952 Section 1952 . 111.397 of the statutes is created to read:

SB70,1138,9 111.397 Civil action. (1) (a) Except as provided in this paragraph, the department or an individual alleged or found to have been discriminated against or subjected to unfair honesty testing or unfair genetic testing may bring an action in circuit court requesting the relief described in sub. (2) (a) against an employer, labor organization, or employment agency that is alleged or found to have engaged in that discrimination, unfair honesty testing, or unfair genetic testing. The department or an individual alleged or found to have been discriminated against or subjected to unfair honesty testing or unfair genetic testing may not bring an action under this paragraph against a local governmental unit, as defined in s. 19.42 (7u), or against an employer, labor organization, or employment agency that employs fewer than 15 individuals for each working day in each of 20 or more calendar weeks in the current or preceding year.

SB70,1138,13 (b) If a petition for judicial review of the findings and order of the commission concerning the same violation as the violation giving rise to the action under par. (a) is filed, the circuit court shall consolidate the proceeding for judicial review and the action under par. (a).

SB70,1138,17 (c) An individual alleged or found to have been discriminated against or subjected to unfair honesty testing or unfair genetic testing is not required to file a complaint under s. 111.39 or seek review under s. 111.395 in order for the department or the individual to bring an action under par. (a).

SB70,1138,19 (d) An action under par. (a) shall be commenced within 300 days after the alleged discrimination, unfair honesty testing, or unfair genetic testing occurred.

SB70,1139,10 (2) (a) Subject to pars. (b) and (c), in an action under sub. (1) (a), if the circuit court finds that discrimination, unfair honesty testing, or unfair genetic testing has occurred, or if such a finding has been made by an examiner or the commission and not been further appealed, the circuit court may order any relief that an examiner would be empowered to order under s. 111.39 (4) (c) after a hearing on a complaint filed under s. 111.39. In addition, the circuit court shall order the defendant to pay to the individual discriminated against or subjected to unfair honesty testing or unfair genetic testing any other compensatory damages, and punitive damages under s. 895.043 that the circuit court or jury finds appropriate, plus reasonable costs and attorney fees incurred in the action. If any relief was ordered under s. 111.39 or 111.395, the circuit court shall specify whether the relief ordered under this paragraph is in addition to or replaces the relief ordered under s. 111.39 or 111.395. The sum of the amount of compensatory damages for future economic losses and for pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and other noneconomic losses and the amount of punitive damages that a circuit court may order may not exceed the following:

SB70,1139,13 1. In the case of a defendant that employs 100 or fewer employees for each working day in each of 20 or more calendar weeks in the current or preceding year, $50,000.

SB70,1139,16 2. In the case of a defendant that employs more than 100 but fewer than 201 employees for each working day in each of 20 or more calendar weeks in the current or preceding year, $100,000.

SB70,1139,19 3. In the case of a defendant that employs more than 200 but fewer than 501 employees for each working day in each of 20 or more calendar weeks in the current or preceding year, $200,000.

SB70,1139,22 4. In the case of a defendant that employs more than 500 employees for each working day in each of 20 or more calendar weeks in the current or preceding year, $300,000.

SB70,1139,25 (b) If the circuit court orders a payment under par. (a) because of a violation of s. 111.321, 111.37, or 111.372 by an individual employed by an employer, the employer of that individual is liable for the payment.

SB70,1140,3 (c) 1. In this paragraph, “consumer price index" means the average of the consumer price index for all urban consumers, U.S. city average, as determined by the bureau of labor statistics of the federal department of labor.

SB70,1140,16 2. Except as provided in this subdivision, beginning on July 1, 2024, and on each July 1 after that, the department shall adjust the amounts specified in par. (a) 1., 2., 3., and 4. by calculating the percentage difference between the consumer price index for the 12-month period ending on December 31 of the preceding year and the consumer price index for the 12-month period ending on December 31 of the year before the preceding year and adjusting those amounts by that percentage difference. The department shall publish the adjusted amounts calculated under this subdivision in the Wisconsin Administrative Register, and the adjusted amounts shall apply to actions commenced under sub. (1) (a) beginning on July 1 of the year of publication. This subdivision does not apply if the consumer price index for the 12-month period ending on December 31 of the preceding year did not increase over the consumer price index for the 12-month period ending on December 31 of the year before the preceding year.

SB70,1953 Section 1953. 111.70 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1141,8 111.70 (1) (a) “Collective bargaining" means the performance of the mutual obligation of a municipal employer, through its officers and agents, and the representative of its municipal employees in a collective bargaining unit, to meet and confer at reasonable times, in good faith, with the intention of reaching an agreement, or to resolve questions arising under such an agreement, with respect to wages, hours, and conditions of employment for public safety employees or, for transit employees and, or for municipal employees in a collective bargaining unit that contains a frontline worker; with respect to wages for general municipal employees, who are in a collective bargaining unit that does not contain a frontline worker; and with respect to a requirement of the municipal employer for a municipal employee to perform law enforcement and fire fighting services under s. 60.553, 61.66, or 62.13 (2e), except as provided in sub. (4) (mb) and (mc) and s. 40.81 (3) and except that a municipal employer shall not meet and confer with respect to any proposal to diminish or abridge the rights guaranteed to any public safety employees under ch. 164. Collective bargaining includes the reduction of any agreement reached to a written and signed document.

SB70,1954 Section 1954. 111.70 (1) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1141,17 111.70 (1) (f) “Fair-share agreement" means an agreement between a municipal employer and a labor organization that represents public safety employees or, transit employees , or a frontline worker under which all or any of the public safety employees or transit employees in the collective bargaining unit or all or any of the employees in a collective bargaining unit containing a frontline worker are required to pay their proportionate share of the cost of the collective bargaining process and contract administration measured by the amount of dues uniformly required of all members.

SB70,1955 Section 1955. 111.70 (1) (fd) of the statutes is created to read:

SB70,1141,20 111.70 (1) (fd) “Frontline worker” means a municipal employee who is determined to be a frontline worker under sub. (4) (bm) 2.

SB70,1956 Section 1956. 111.70 (1) (fm) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1141,23 111.70 (1) (fm) “General municipal employee" means a municipal employee who is not a public safety employee or, a transit employee, or a frontline worker.

SB70,1957 Section 1957. 111.70 (1) (n) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1142,5 111.70 (1) (n) “Referendum" means a proceeding conducted by the commission in which public safety employees or transit employees in a collective bargaining unit or municipal employees in a collective bargaining unit containing a frontline worker may cast a secret ballot on the question of authorizing a labor organization and the employer to continue a fair-share agreement.

SB70,1958 Section 1958. 111.70 (1) (p) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1142,8 111.70 (1) (p) “Transit employee" means a municipal employee who is determined to be a transit employee under sub. (4) (bm) 1.

SB70,1959 Section 1959. 111.70 (2) of the statutes is renumbered 111.70 (2) (a) and amended to read:

SB70,1143,17 111.70 (2) (a) Municipal employees have the right of self-organization, and the right to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing, and to engage in lawful, concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection. Municipal employees have the right to refrain from any and all such activities. A general municipal employee may not be covered by a fair-share agreement unless the general municipal employee is in a collective bargaining unit containing a frontline worker. Unless the general municipal employee is covered by a fair-share agreement, a general municipal employee has the right to refrain from paying dues while remaining a member of a collective bargaining unit. A public safety employee or, a transit employee, however, or a municipal employee in a collective bargaining unit containing a frontline worker may be covered by a fair-share agreement and be required to pay dues in the manner provided in a the fair-share agreement; a fair-share agreement covering a public safety employee or a transit employee must contain a provision requiring the municipal employer to deduct the amount of dues as certified by the labor organization from the earnings of the employee affected by the fair-share agreement and to pay the amount deducted to the labor organization. A fair-share agreement covering a public safety employee or transit employee is subject to the right of the municipal employer or a labor organization to petition the commission to conduct a referendum. Such petition must be supported by proof that at least 30 percent of the employees in the collective bargaining unit desire that the fair-share agreement be terminated. Upon so finding, the commission shall conduct a referendum. If the continuation of the agreement is not supported by at least the majority of the eligible employees, it shall terminate. The commission shall declare any fair-share agreement suspended upon such conditions and for such time as the commission decides whenever it finds that the labor organization involved has refused on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, creed, or sex to receive as a member any public safety employee or transit eligible municipal employee of the municipal employer in the bargaining unit involved, and such agreement is subject to this duty of the commission. Any of the parties to such agreement or any public safety employee or transit municipal employee covered by the agreement may come before the commission, as provided in s. 111.07, and ask the performance of this duty.

SB70,1960 Section 1960. 111.70 (2) (b) of the statutes is created to read:

SB70,1143,25 111.70 (2) (b) General municipal employees who are not in a collective bargaining unit containing a frontline worker have the right to have their municipal employer consult with them, through a representative of their own choosing, with no intention of reaching an agreement, with respect to wages, hours, and conditions of employment. The right may be exercised either when the municipal employer proposes or implements policy changes affecting wages, hours, or conditions of employment or, if no policy changes are proposed or implemented, at least quarterly.

SB70,1961 Section 1961. 111.70 (3) (a) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1144,5 111.70 (3) (a) 3. To encourage or discourage a membership in any labor organization by discrimination in regard to hiring, tenure, or other terms or conditions of employment; but the prohibition shall not apply to a fair-share agreement that covers public safety employees or transit employees.

SB70,1962 Section 1962. 111.70 (3) (a) 5. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70,1144,16 111.70 (3) (a) 5. To violate any collective bargaining agreement previously agreed upon by the parties with respect to wages, hours, and conditions of employment affecting public safety employees or, transit employees, or municipal employees in a collective bargaining unit containing a frontline worker, including an agreement to arbitrate questions arising as to the meaning or application of the terms of a collective bargaining agreement or to accept the terms of such arbitration award, where previously the parties have agreed to accept such award as final and binding upon them or to violate any collective bargaining agreement affecting a collective bargaining unit containing only general municipal employees, that was previously agreed upon by the parties with respect to wages.

SB70,1963 Section 1963. 111.70 (3) (a) 6. of the statutes is amended to read: