Waukesha Times

The new bill authored by State Rep. Robyn Vining in the Wisconsin Assembly seeks to increase reimbursement rates for school medical services, aiming to align payments with federal funding shares, according to the Wisconsin State Assembly.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "payment for school medical services. (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 that the Department of Health Services (DHS) reimburse school districts, cooperative educational service agencies, and the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), for the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, at 100% of the federal share of allowable charges for school medical services and administrative costs, an increase from the previous 60% and 90%, respectively. The bill also allows claims for common carrier transportation costs as a school medical service, contingent on federal policy changes, and establishes a reimbursement methodology. Compliance with federal health and human services requirements is necessary for federal financial participation.

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 Dora E. Drake (Democrat-4th District), and Senator Dianne H. Hesselbein (Democrat-27th District), along 33 other co-sponsors.

Robyn Vining has co-authored or authored another 53 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.

Bill Number	Date Introduced	Short Description
AB340	07/08/2025	Payment for school medical services. (FE)
AB339	07/08/2025	Aid for comprehensive school mental health services and making an appropriation. (FE)
AB338	07/08/2025	Coverage of treatment for mental health or substance use disorders under health insurance policies and plans
AB337	07/08/2025	Training to address student mental health and making an appropriation. (FE)
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