Rep. Vining introduces Wisconsin Assembly bill to boost university mental health funding

Rep. Vining introduces Wisconsin Assembly bill to boost university mental health funding
Robyn Vining, Wisconsin State Representative for 13th District — Official Website
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The new bill authored by State Rep. Robyn Vining aims to enhance mental and behavioral health support for students in the University of Wisconsin System, according to the Wisconsin State Assembly.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature’s official website, the bill was described as follows: “funding for University of Wisconsin System student health services and making an appropriation. (FE)”.

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill allocates $11 million annually for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years to the University of Wisconsin System. The funding is designated for the enhancement of student health services focused on mental and behavioral health. This includes improvements in staffing, training, operations, assessment, and prevention measures. The bill aims to strengthen the mental and behavioral health services available to students across the university system, ensuring better health support and resources for the student body.

The bill was co-authored by Senator LaTonya Johnson (Democrat-6th District), Representative Clinton M. Anderson (Democrat-45th District), Representative Margaret Arney (Democrat-18th District), Representative Mike Bare (Democrat-80th District), Representative Brienne Brown (Democrat-43rd District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Tim Carpenter (Democrat-3rd District), Senator Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (Democrat-18th District), and Senator Dora E. Drake (Democrat-4th District), along 34 other co-sponsors.

Robyn Vining has co-authored or authored another 49 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with all of them being adopted.

Vining graduated from James Madison University in 1999 with a BA and again in 1999 from James Madison University with a BS.

Vining, a Democrat, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2025 to represent the state’s 13th Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Tom Michalski.

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.

Bills Introduced by Robyn Vining in Wisconsin Assembly During 2025 Regular Session
Bill Number Date Introduced Short Description
AB336 07/08/2025 Funding for University of Wisconsin System student health services and making an appropriation. (FE)
AB335 07/08/2025 Stipend payments for school social worker interns and making an appropriation. (FE)
AB334 07/08/2025 Requiring bicycle and pedestrian facilities in highway projects and granting rule-making authority. (FE)
AB316 07/08/2025 Grants for LGBTQIA+ rights training for school counselors and school social workers and making an appropriation. (FE)
AB98 03/03/2025 Pupils wearing traditional tribal regalia at a graduation ceremony or school-sponsored event


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