The new bill authored by State Rep. Barbara Dittrich seeks to establish a pilot program funding mental health services in targeted schools to support at-risk students and families, according to the Wisconsin State Assembly.
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature’s official website, the bill was described as follows: “a pilot school-centered mental health program. (FE)”.
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill mandates the Department of Health Services to fund a pilot school-centered mental health program for the 2025-27 biennium, targeting two schools—one in a rural district, and another in a suburban or urban district. The program, aimed at at-risk pupils and families, will offer year-round services including full-time therapist and family coach positions, evidence-based individual or family therapy, family coaching, and behavior intervention strategies in schools, at homes, and within the community. Schools must already provide behavioral health resources and be willing to facilitate surveys and share data to participate. The program requires reporting on its outcomes related to mental health, academic performance, and social-emotional growth of pupils, with reports to be submitted to the legislature within six months post-program completion.
The bill was co-authored by Senator Jesse L. James (Republican-23rd District), Representative Calvin T. Callahan (Republican-35th District), Representative Bob G. Donovan (Republican-61st District), Representative Brent Jacobson (Republican-87th District), Representative Rob Kreibich (Republican-28th District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Patrick Testin (Republican-24th District), along two other co-sponsors.
Barbara Dittrich has authored or co-authored another 137 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with one of them being enacted.
Dittrich, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2025 to represent the state’s 99th Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Cindi Duchow.
In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| AB260 | 05/19/2025 | A pilot school-centered mental health program. (FE) |
| AB255 | 05/08/2025 | Assisted living facility referral agencies and providing a penalty |
| AB252 | 05/08/2025 | The notice of an investigation of child abuse or neglect or unborn child abuse provided to appropriate authorities of the U.S. Department of Defense. (FE) |
| AB221 | 04/23/2025 | All-terrain vehicles and utility terrain vehicles with out-of-state registrations |
| AB206 | 04/23/2025 | The procedure for adding federal newborn screening recommendations to the state-required newborn screenings, granting rule-making authority, and providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures. (FE) |
| AB195 | 04/15/2025 | Revoking a transfer of real property on death, obtaining evidence of the termination of a decedent’s property interests, disbursing deposits after rescission of real property wholesaler contracts, and filing satisfactions of judgment |
| AB141 | 03/17/2025 | Provisional social worker certificates and licenses |
| AB139 | 03/17/2025 | A tax credit for relocating to this state due to Hurricane Helene or the Los Angeles wildfires. (FE) |
| AB126 | 03/11/2025 | School bus back-up lamps |
| AB106 | 03/11/2025 | Exempting certain electric vehicle charging stations located at a residence from the electric vehicle charging tax. (FE) |
| AB103 | 03/04/2025 | School board policies related to changing a pupil’s legal name and pronouns |
| AB102 | 03/03/2025 | Designating University of Wisconsin and technical college sports and athletic teams based on the sex of the participants |
| AB100 | 03/03/2025 | Designating athletic sports and teams operated or sponsored by public schools or private schools participating in a parental choice program based on the sex of the participants |
| AB71 | 02/24/2025 | School district operating referenda |
| AB68 | 02/24/2025 | The prescription drug monitoring program. (FE) |
| AB63 | 02/24/2025 | Financing the operating costs and certain out-of-state projects of nonprofit institutions and compensation of employees of the Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority. (FE) |
| AB61 | 02/24/2025 | Injuring or killing a police or fire animal and providing a penalty |
| AB44 | 02/17/2025 | Allowing advanced practice nurse prescribers to pronounce the date, time, and place of a patient’s death for purposes of the preparation of death records |
| AB9 | 02/06/2025 | Allowing representatives of certain federally chartered youth membership organizations to provide information to pupils on public school property |
| AB5 | 02/03/2025 | Requiring school boards to make textbooks, curricula, and instructional materials available for inspection by school district residents |
