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Waukesha Times

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Rep. Vining authors Wisconsin Assembly bill expanding pupil mental health aid

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Robyn Vining, Wisconsin State Representative for 13th District | Official Website

Robyn Vining, Wisconsin State Representative for 13th District | Official Website

The new bill authored by State Rep. Robyn Vining seeks to expand state aid eligibility for pupil mental health and wellness services in Wisconsin schools, according to the Wisconsin State Assembly.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "school mental health and pupil wellness aid and making an appropriation".

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

In essence, this bill expands eligibility for state aid in Wisconsin related to pupil mental health and wellness, allowing funds to be used for employing school counselors, social workers, psychologists, and nurses, referred to as pupil services professionals. Previously, aid was limited to expenditures for social workers, with a two-tier reimbursement requiring increased spending for eligibility. The bill removes this stipulation, allowing any education agency that employed these professionals in the previous school year to qualify for reimbursement. Additionally, it increases the fiscal appropriations for the aid program by $16.5 million for 2025-26 and $18 million for 2026-27. The bill takes effect the day after publication or two days after the publication of the 2025 biennial budget act, whichever is later.

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 28 other co-sponsors.

Robyn Vining has co-authored or authored another 56 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 NumberDate IntroducedShort Description
AB34307/08/2025School mental health and pupil wellness aid and making an appropriation
AB34207/08/2025Grants to hire school mental health professionals who are members of a racial minority group, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)
AB34107/08/2025Grants for prospective school social workers, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)
AB34007/08/2025Payment for school medical services. (FE)
AB33907/08/2025Aid for comprehensive school mental health services and making an appropriation. (FE)
AB33807/08/2025Coverage of treatment for mental health or substance use disorders under health insurance policies and plans
AB33707/08/2025Training to address student mental health and making an appropriation. (FE)
AB33607/08/2025Funding for University of Wisconsin System student health services and making an appropriation. (FE)
AB33507/08/2025Stipend payments for school social worker interns and making an appropriation. (FE)
AB33407/08/2025Requiring bicycle and pedestrian facilities in highway projects and granting rule-making authority. (FE)
AB31607/08/2025Grants for LGBTQIA+ rights training for school counselors and school social workers and making an appropriation. (FE)
AB9803/03/2025Pupils wearing traditional tribal regalia at a graduation ceremony or school-sponsored event

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