AB50: Bill Text

AB50,939,3 111.31 (1) The legislature finds that the practice of unfair discrimination in employment against properly qualified individuals by reason of their age, race, creed, color, disability, marital status, sex, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, arrest record, conviction record, military service, 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, substantially and adversely affects the general welfare of the state. Employers, labor organizations, employment agencies, and licensing agencies that deny employment opportunities and discriminate in employment against properly qualified individuals solely because of their age, race, creed, color, disability, marital status, sex, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, arrest record, conviction record, military service, 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, deprive those individuals of the earnings that are necessary to maintain a just and decent standard of living.

AB50,1777 Section 1777. 111.31 (1) of the statutes, as affected by 2025 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is amended to read:

AB50,939,23 111.31 (1) The legislature finds that the practice of unfair discrimination in employment against properly qualified individuals by reason of their 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, substantially and adversely affects the general welfare of the state. Employers, labor organizations, employment agencies, and licensing agencies that deny employment opportunities and discriminate in employment against properly qualified individuals solely because of their 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, deprive those individuals of the earnings that are necessary to maintain a just and decent standard of living.

AB50,1778 Section 1778. 111.31 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,940,14 111.31 (2) It is the intent of the legislature to protect by law the rights of all individuals to obtain gainful employment and to enjoy privileges free from employment discrimination because of age, race, creed, color, disability, marital status, sex, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, arrest record, conviction record, military service, 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, and to encourage the full, nondiscriminatory utilization of the productive resources of the state to the benefit of the state, the family, and all the people of the state. It is the intent of the legislature in promulgating this subchapter to encourage employers to evaluate an employee or applicant for employment based upon the individual qualifications of the employee or applicant rather than upon a particular class to which the individual may belong.

AB50,1779 Section 1779. 111.31 (2) of the statutes, as affected by 2025 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is amended to read:

AB50,941,7 111.31 (2) It is the intent of the legislature to protect by law the rights of all individuals to obtain gainful employment and to enjoy privileges free from employment discrimination because 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, and to encourage the full, nondiscriminatory utilization of the productive resources of the state to the benefit of the state, the family, and all the people of the state. It is the intent of the legislature in promulgating this subchapter to encourage employers to evaluate an employee or applicant for employment based upon the individual qualifications of the employee or applicant rather than upon a particular class to which the individual may belong.

AB50,1780 Section 1780. 111.31 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,941,19 111.31 (3) In the interpretation and application of this subchapter, and otherwise, it is declared to be the public policy of the state to encourage and foster to the fullest extent practicable the employment of all properly qualified individuals regardless of age, race, creed, color, disability, marital status, sex, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, arrest record, conviction record, military service, 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. Nothing in this subsection requires an affirmative action program to correct an imbalance in the work force. This subchapter shall be liberally construed for the accomplishment of this purpose.

AB50,1781 Section 1781. 111.31 (3) of the statutes, as affected by 2025 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is amended to read:

AB50,942,10 111.31 (3) In the interpretation and application of this subchapter, and otherwise, it is declared to be the public policy of the state to encourage and foster to the fullest extent practicable the employment of all properly qualified individuals regardless 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. Nothing in this subsection requires an affirmative action program to correct an imbalance in the work force. This subchapter shall be liberally construed for the accomplishment of this purpose.

AB50,1782 Section 1782. 111.32 (7j) of the statutes is created to read:

AB50,942,14 111.32 (7j) “Gender expression” means an individual’s actual or perceived gender-related appearance, behavior, or expression, regardless of whether these traits are stereotypically associated with the individual’s assigned sex at birth.

AB50,1783 Section 1783. 111.32 (7k) of the statutes is created to read:

AB50,942,17 111.32 (7k) “Gender identity” means an individual’s internal understanding of the individual’s gender, or the individual’s perceived gender identity.

AB50,1784 Section 1784. 111.32 (9m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB50,942,19 111.32 (9m) “Lawful product” includes marijuana.

AB50,1785 Section 1785. 111.32 (11m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB50,943,2 111.32 (11m) “Marijuana” means all parts of the plants of the genus Cannabis, whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin extracted from any part of the plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant, its seeds or resin, including tetrahydrocannabinols.

AB50,1786 Section 1786. 111.32 (12) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,943,5 111.32 (12) “Marital status” means the status of being married, single, divorced, separated, or widowed a surviving spouse.

AB50,1787 Section 1787. 111.321 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,943,15 111.321 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, 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.

AB50,1788 Section 1788. 111.321 of the statutes, as affected by 2025 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is amended to read:

AB50,944,3 111.321 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.

AB50,1789 Section 1789. 111.322 (2m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,944,8 111.322 (2m) (a) The individual files a complaint or attempts to enforce any right under s. 103.02, 103.035, 103.10, 103.108, 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.

AB50,1790 Section 1790. 111.322 (2m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,944,13 111.322 (2m) (b) The individual testifies or assists in any action or proceeding held under or to enforce any right under s. 103.02, 103.035, 103.10, 103.108, 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.

AB50,1791 Section 1791. 111.322 (2m) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

AB50,944,17 111.322 (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.

AB50,1792 Section 1792. 111.335 (3) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 111.335 (3) (ar).

AB50,1793 Section 1793. 111.335 (3) (ag) of the statutes is created to read:

AB50,945,2 111.335 (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.

AB50,945,6 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.

AB50,945,7 3. The department may promulgate rules to implement this paragraph.

AB50,1794 Section 1794. 111.335 (3) (ah) of the statutes is created to read:

AB50,945,15 111.335 (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.

AB50,945,21 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.

AB50,1795 Section 1795. 111.335 (3) (g) of the statutes is created to read:

AB50,946,4 111.335 (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.

AB50,1796 Section 1796. 111.335 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,946,10 111.335 (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.

AB50,1797 Section 1797. 111.335 (4) (c) 1. (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,946,15 111.335 (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:

AB50,1798 Section 1798. 111.335 (4) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,946,21 111.335 (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.

AB50,1799 Section 1799. 111.335 (4) (f) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,947,6 111.335 (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.

AB50,1800 Section 1800. 111.35 (2) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,947,10 111.35 (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.

AB50,1801 Section 1801. 111.36 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,947,13 111.36 (title) Sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity; exceptions and special cases.

AB50,1802 Section 1802. 111.36 (1) (br) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,948,3 111.36 (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.

AB50,1803 Section 1803. 111.36 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,948,9 111.36 (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.

AB50,1804 Section 1804. 111.36 (1) (d) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,948,17 111.36 (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.

AB50,1805 Section 1805. 111.36 (1) (d) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,949,2 111.36 (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.

AB50,1806 Section 1806. 111.36 (4) of the statutes is created to read:

AB50,949,8 111.36 (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.

AB50,1807 Section 1807. 111.39 (4) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,949,22 111.39 (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.

AB50,1808 Section 1808. 111.39 (5) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,950,12 111.39 (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.

AB50,1809 Section 1809. 111.39 (5) (d) of the statutes is created to read:

AB50,950,19 111.39 (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).

AB50,1810 Section 1810. 111.397 of the statutes is created to read:

AB50,951,9 111.397 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.

AB50,951,13 (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).

AB50,951,17 (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).

AB50,951,19 (d) An action under par. (a) shall be commenced within 300 days after the alleged discrimination, unfair honesty testing, or unfair genetic testing occurred.

AB50,952,12 (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:

AB50,952,15 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.

AB50,952,18 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.

AB50,952,21 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.

AB50,953,2 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.

AB50,953,5 (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.

AB50,953,8 (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.

AB50,953,21 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.

AB50,1811 Section 1811. 111.70 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,954,15 111.70 (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.

AB50,1812 Section 1812. 111.70 (1) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,955,2 111.70 (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.

AB50,1813 Section 1813. 111.70 (1) (fd) of the statutes is created to read:

AB50,955,5 111.70 (1) (fd) “Frontline worker” means a municipal employee who is determined to be a frontline worker under sub. (4) (bm) 2.

AB50,1814 Section 1814. 111.70 (1) (fm) of the statutes is amended to read: