2025 WISCONSIN ACT 14
An Act to create 85.65 of the statutes; relating to: public protective services hearing protection assistance.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
14,1Section 1. 85.65 of the statutes is created to read: 85.65 Public protective services hearing protection assistance. (1) The department shall establish and enter into a contract with a manufacturer of hearing protection devices to administer a public protective services hearing protection program. Under the program, the contract shall require all of the following:
(a) That the hearing protection devices provided under the program satisfy sub. (2).
(b) Subject to sub. (3), that the manufacturer, upon request, provide devices to law enforcement and fire protective agencies in this state in the number requested by the agency.
(2) Devices under sub. (1) (a) shall be commercially available hearing protection devices that satisfy all of the following:
(a) The device is designed to be used multiple times.
(b) The device is designed to be inserted completely within the ear canal.
(c) The device has a minimum noise reduction rating of 25 decibels.
(d) The device has a maximum output of 80 decibels.
(3) Devices under sub. (1) (b) shall be provided in the following cost, number, and priority:
(a) For a state law enforcement agency, at no charge, any number of devices requested by the agency.
(b) For a law enforcement agency or fire protective agency other than an agency under par. (a), at no charge, a number of devices equal to 20 percent of the total number of law enforcement officers or firefighters employed by the agency, or 10 devices, whichever is fewer.
(c) Except as provided in par. (b), for any law enforcement agency or fire protective agency other than an agency under par. (a), upon payment of 50 percent of the cost of the device, any number of devices.
