AB43: Bill Text

AB43,1914 Section 1914. 111.01 of the statutes is created to read:

AB43,,5162 111.01 Declaration of policy. The public policy of the state as to employment relations and collective bargaining, in the furtherance of which this subchapter is enacted, is declared to be as follows:

AB43,,5163 (1) It recognizes that there are 3 major interests involved, namely: the public, the employee, and the employer. These 3 interests are to a considerable extent interrelated. It is the policy of the state to protect and promote each of these interests with due regard to the situation and to the rights of the others.

AB43,,5164 (2) Industrial peace, regular and adequate income for the employee, and uninterrupted production of goods and services are promotive of all of these interests. They are largely dependent upon the maintenance of fair, friendly, and mutually satisfactory employment relations and the availability of suitable machinery for the peaceful adjustment of whatever controversies may arise. It is recognized that certain employers, including farmers, farmer cooperatives, and unincorporated farmer cooperative associations, in addition to their general employer problems, face special problems arising from perishable commodities and seasonal production that require adequate consideration. It is also recognized that whatever may be the rights of disputants with respect to each other in any controversy regarding employment relations, they should not be permitted, in the conduct of their controversy, to intrude directly into the primary rights of 3rd parties to earn a livelihood, transact business, and engage in the ordinary affairs of life by any lawful means and free from molestation, interference, restraint, or coercion.

AB43,,5165 (3) Negotiations of terms and conditions of work should result from voluntary agreement between employer and employee. For the purpose of such negotiation an employee has the right, if the employee desires, to associate with others in organizing and bargaining collectively through representatives of the employee’s own choosing, without intimidation or coercion from any source.

AB43,,5166 (4) It is the policy of the state, in order to preserve and promote the interests of the public, the employee, and the employer alike, to establish standards of fair conduct in employment relations and to provide a convenient, expeditious, and impartial tribunal by which these interests may have their respective rights and obligations adjudicated. While limiting individual and group rights of aggression and defense, the state substitutes processes of justice for the more primitive methods of trial by combat.

AB43,1915 Section 1915. 111.04 (1) and (2) of the statutes are consolidated, renumbered 111.04 and amended to read:

AB43,,5168 111.04 Rights of employees. Employees shall 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. (2) Employees shall also have the right to refrain from self-organization; forming, joining, or assisting labor organizations; bargaining collectively through representatives; or engaging in activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection such activities.

AB43,1916 Section 1916. 111.04 (3) of the statutes is repealed.

AB43,1917 Section 1917. 111.06 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,5171 111.06 (1) (c) To encourage or discourage membership in any labor organization, employee agency, committee, association, or representation plan by discrimination in regard to hiring, tenure, or other terms or conditions of employment except in a collective bargaining unit where an all-union agreement is in effect. An employer may enter into an all-union agreement with the voluntarily recognized representative of the employees in a collective bargaining unit, where at least a majority of such employees voting have voted affirmatively, by secret ballot, in favor of the all-union agreement in a referendum conducted by the commission, except that where the bargaining representative has been certified by either the commission or the national labor relations board as the result of a representation election, no referendum is required to authorize the entry into an all-union agreement. An authorization of an all-union agreement continues, subject to the right of either party to the all-union agreement to petition the commission to conduct a new referendum on the subject. Upon receipt of the petition, if the commission determines there is reasonable ground to believe that the employees concerned have changed their attitude toward the all-union agreement, the commission shall conduct a referendum. If the continuance of the all-union agreement is supported on a referendum by a vote at least equal to that provided in this paragraph for its initial authorization, it may continue, subject to the right to petition for a further vote by the procedure under this paragraph. If the continuance of the all-union agreement is not supported on a referendum, it terminates at the expiration of the contract of which it is then a part or at the end of one year from the date of the announcement by the commission of the result of the referendum, whichever is earlier. The commission shall declare any all-union agreement terminated whenever it finds that the labor organization involved has unreasonably refused to receive as a member any employee of such employer. An interested person may, as provided in s. 111.07, request the commission to perform this duty.

AB43,1918 Section 1918. 111.06 (1) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,5173 111.06 (1) (e) To bargain collectively with the representatives of less than a majority of the employer’s employees in a collective bargaining unit, or to enter into an all-union agreement except in the manner provided in par. (c).

AB43,1919 Section 1919. 111.06 (1) (i) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,5175 111.06 (1) (i) To deduct labor organization dues or assessments from an employee’s earnings, unless the employer has been presented with an individual order therefor, signed by the employee personally, and terminable at the end of any year of its life by the employee giving to the employer at least 30 days’ written notice of the termination. This paragraph applies to the extent permitted under federal law unless there is an all-union agreement in effect. The employer shall give notice to the labor organization of receipt of a notice of termination.

AB43,1920 Section 1920. 111.31 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,5177 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.

AB43,1921 Section 1921. 111.31 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,5179 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.

AB43,1922 Section 1922. 111.31 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,5181 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.

AB43,1923 Section 1923. 111.32 (7j) of the statutes is created to read:

AB43,,5183 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.

AB43,1924 Section 1924. 111.32 (7k) of the statutes is created to read:

AB43,,5185 111.32 (7k) “Gender identity” means an individual’s internal understanding of the individual’s gender, or the individual’s perceived gender identity.

AB43,1925 Section 1925. 111.32 (9m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB43,,5187 111.32 (9m) “Lawful product” includes marijuana.

AB43,1926 Section 1926. 111.32 (11m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB43,,5189 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.

AB43,1927 Section 1927. 111.32 (12) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,5191 111.32 (12) “Marital status” means the status of being married, single, divorced, separated, or widowed a surviving spouse.

AB43,1928 Section 1928. 111.321 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,5193 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.

AB43,1929 Section 1929. 111.322 (2m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,5195 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.

****Note: This is reconciled s. 111.322 (2m) (a). This Section has been affected by drafts with the following LRB numbers: -1395/P1 and -1814/P8.

AB43,1930 Section 1930. 111.322 (2m) (a) of the statutes, as affected by 2023 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is amended to read:

AB43,,5197 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.

****Note: This is reconciled s. 111.322 (2m) (a). This Section has been affected by drafts with the following LRB numbers: -1395/P1,-1662/P1, and -1814/P8.

AB43,1931 Section 1931. 111.322 (2m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,5199 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.

****Note: This is reconciled s. 111.322 (2m) (b). This Section has been affected by drafts with the following LRB numbers: -1395/P1 and -1814/P8.

AB43,1932 Section 1932. 111.322 (2m) (b) of the statutes, as affected by 2023 Wisconsin Act .... (this act), is amended to read:

AB43,,5201 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.

****Note: This is reconciled s. 111.322 (2m) (b). This Section has been affected by drafts with the following LRB numbers: -1395/P1,-1662/P1, and -1814/P8.

AB43,1933 Section 1933. 111.322 (2m) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

AB43,,5203 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.

AB43,1934 Section 1934. 111.335 (3) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 111.335 (3) (ar).

AB43,1935 Section 1935. 111.335 (3) (ag) of the statutes is created to read:

AB43,,5206 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.

AB43,,5207 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.

AB43,1936 Section 1936. 111.335 (3) (ah) of the statutes is created to read:

AB43,,5209 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.

AB43,,5210 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.

AB43,1937 Section 1937. 111.335 (3) (g) of the statutes is created to read:

AB43,,5212 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.

AB43,1938 Section 1938. 111.335 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,5214 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.

AB43,1939 Section 1939. 111.335 (4) (c) 1. (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,5216 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:

AB43,1940 Section 1940. 111.335 (4) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,5218 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.

AB43,1941 Section 1941. 111.335 (4) (f) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,5220 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.

AB43,1942 Section 1942. 111.35 (2) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,5222 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.

AB43,1943 Section 1943. 111.36 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,5224 111.36 (title) Sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity; exceptions and special cases.

AB43,1944 Section 1944. 111.36 (1) (br) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,5226 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.

AB43,1945 Section 1945. 111.36 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,5228 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.

AB43,1946 Section 1946. 111.36 (1) (d) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,5230 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.

AB43,1947 Section 1947. 111.36 (1) (d) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,5232 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.

AB43,1948 Section 1948. 111.36 (4) of the statutes is created to read:

AB43,,5234 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.

AB43,1949 Section 1949. 111.39 (4) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,5236 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.

AB43,1950 Section 1950. 111.39 (5) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,5238 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.

AB43,1951 Section 1951. 111.39 (5) (d) of the statutes is created to read:

AB43,,5240 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).

AB43,1952 Section 1952. 111.397 of the statutes is created to read:

AB43,,5242 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.

AB43,,5243 (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).

AB43,,5244 (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).

AB43,,5245 (d) An action under par. (a) shall be commenced within 300 days after the alleged discrimination, unfair honesty testing, or unfair genetic testing occurred.