Howard L. Marklein, Wisconsin State Senator for 17th District | Facebook
Howard L. Marklein, Wisconsin State Senator for 17th District | Facebook
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "changing the conditions of liability for worker’s compensation benefits for emergency medical responders, emergency medical services practitioners, volunteer firefighters, correctional officers, emergency dispatchers, coroners and coroner staff, and medical examiners and medical examiner staff. (FE)".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill modifies the conditions of liability for workers' compensation benefits for emergency medical responders, emergency medical services practitioners, volunteer firefighters, correctional officers, emergency dispatchers, coroners, and their staff, as well as medical examiners and their staff diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previously, such individuals needed to demonstrate a diagnosis based on stress beyond normal day-to-day emotional strain. The bill aligns the standard for these professionals with that of law enforcement officers and full-time firefighters, allowing them to claim workers' compensation for PTSD without an accompanying physical injury. However, compensation for the mental injury is limited to three times over their lifetime, regardless of changes in employer or job. The bill's applicability will begin alongside the effective date of new workers' compensation insurance rates approved by the commissioner of insurance.
The bill was co-authored by Representative David Armstrong (Republican-67th District), Senator Sarah Keyeski (Democrat-14th District), Senator Mark Spreitzer (Democrat-15th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), Representative Calvin T. Callahan (Republican-35th District), and Representative Joan Fitzgerald (Democrat-46th District), along 16 other co-sponsors.
Howard L. Marklein has authored or co-authored another 17 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Marklein graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater in 1976 with a BBA.
Marklein, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2015 to represent the state's 17th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Dale Schultz.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| SB168 | 04/03/2025 | Changing the conditions of liability for worker’s compensation benefits for emergency medical responders, emergency medical services practitioners, volunteer firefighters, correctional officers, emergency dispatchers, coroners and coroner staff, and medical examiners and medical examiner staff. (FE) |
| SB160 | 03/27/2025 | Designating the Tom Diehl Memorial Highway. (FE) |
| SB126 | 03/14/2025 | The effective date of certain provisions contained in 2023 Wisconsin Act 126 |
| SB96 | 03/07/2025 | Exempting certain electric vehicle charging stations located at a residence from the electric vehicle charging tax. (FE) |
| SB84 | 02/26/2025 | Exempting certain conveyances between grandparents and grandchildren from the real estate transfer fee. (FE) |
| SB3 | 01/24/2025 | Requiring local approval for certain wind and solar projects before Public Service Commission approval |
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