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Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Rep. Tranel authors Wisconsin Assembly bill to expand virtual mental health services at UW

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Travis Tranel, Wisconsin State Representative of 49th District | Official Website

Travis Tranel, Wisconsin State Representative of 49th District | Official Website

A new bill authored by State Rep. Travis Tranel in the Wisconsin Assembly seeks to expand virtual mental health services for students at UW institutions to supplement existing campus resources, according to the Wisconsin State Assembly.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "provision of virtual mental health services for students at certain UW System institutions. (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 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System to engage a vendor to provide virtual mental health services for students at UW institutions with no more than 30,000 full-time undergraduate enrollees, based on counts from the preceding April 1. The vendor's services must enhance existing campus mental health resources by offering extended access beyond regular hours, incorporating evidence-based wellness content, and utilizing behavioral health coaches and licensed providers with college mental health expertise. Preference is given to vendors with at least five years of experience in higher education mental health services and collaborative software capabilities. The vendor must submit an annual report by July 1 to the board and the legislature, detailing system-wide and institutional usage statistics of their services.

The bill was co-authored by Senator Jesse L. James (Republican-23rd District), Representative Lindee Rae Brill (Republican-27th District), Representative Barbara Dittrich (Republican-99th District), Representative Rick Gundrum (Republican-58th District), Representative Dean Kaufert (Republican-53rd District).

Travis Tranel has authored or co-authored another 21 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

Tranel graduated from Loras College in 2007 with a BA.

Tranel, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2011 to represent the state's 49th Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Phil Garthwaite.

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 Travis Tranel in Wisconsin Assembly During 2025 Regular Session

Bill NumberDate IntroducedShort Description
AB29905/30/2025Provision of virtual mental health services for students at certain UW System institutions. (FE)
AB21904/23/2025A tax credit for rail infrastructure modernization. (FE)
AB17304/09/2025Regulation of pharmacy benefit managers, fiduciary and disclosure requirements on pharmacy benefit managers, and application of prescription drug payments to health insurance cost-sharing requirements. (FE)
AB12003/11/2025Positions for the Office of School Safety. (FE)
AB11803/11/2025A transition to grazing pilot program and making an appropriation. (FE)
AB702/06/2025Requiring local approval for certain wind and solar projects before Public Service Commission approval

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