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Bill

AB 1012

Relating to: the establishment of a family and medical leave insurance program; family leave to care for a family member and for the active duty of a family member; the employers that must allow an employee to take family or medical leave; allowing a local government to adopt ordinances requiring employers to provide leave benefits; providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures; providing an exemption from rule-making procedures; granting rule-making authority; making an appropriation; and providing a penalty. (FE)

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Clint Anderson and 28 co-sponsors

Creates a state-funded family and medical leave insurance program to provide paid leave, with employer coordination, local option enforcement, funding, and penalties.

Fiscal estimate received
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · AB 1012

Summary of AB 1012 (Wisconsin, 2025 Session)

Purpose and intent

AB 1012 proposes the establishment of a Wisconsin family and medical leave insurance program. The bill aims to create a social insurance framework to provide paid leave for employees to care for a family member, for the active duty of a family member, and for other family and medical leave needs. It also authorizes requirements on employers, provides local government flexibility to adopt additional leave requirements, and sets forth procedural provisions, funding, and penalties.

Key provisions and changes

  • Establishment of a family and medical leave insurance program

    • Creates a state program designed to provide paid family and medical leave through a state-administered insurance mechanism.
    • The program would be funded (details in the bill specify appropriation and funding mechanisms; see “Funding” below).

  • Leave coverage and purposes

    • Allows leave to care for a family member.
    • Allows leave for the active duty of a family member.
    • Covers other family and medical leave needs consistent with the act.

  • Employers’ duties

    • Requires certain employers to permit employees to take family or medical leave under the program.
    • Establishes standards for how leave is to be granted, coordinated with the state program, and integrated with any existing employer policies.

  • Local government option

    • Grants local governments the authority to adopt ordinances that require employers within their jurisdiction to provide leave benefits in addition to, or aligned with, the state program.

  • Rulemaking and exemptions

    • Provides an exemption from certain emergency rule procedures.
    • Provides an exemption from some standard rule-making procedures.
    • Grants the state rule-making authority necessary to implement and administer the program.

  • Appropriations and penalties

    • Makes an appropriation to fund the program and related activities.
    • Establishes penalties for noncompliance with program requirements or for violating provisions related to leave benefits and employer obligations (specific penalty amounts and schedules would be in the statutory text).

Affected parties

  • Employees: Individuals eligible for paid family and medical leave under the new program; their ability to take paid leave would be structured and supported by the insurance mechanism and employer obligations.
  • Employers: Businesses and other employers subject to leave requirements; they would need to coordinate with the state program to grant approved leave and comply with employer obligations.
  • Local governments: Jurisdictions may enact ordinances expanding or tailoring leave requirements within their area.
  • State agencies: Responsible for administering the leave insurance program, rulemaking, and enforcement.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced and referenced actions

    • Introduced February 2026, with multiple co-authors and sponsors from both houses.
    • Read first time and referred to the Committee on Children and Families (Feb 6, 2026).
    • Fiscal estimate received (June 16, 2026).
    • Notably, the bill’s status shows a failure to pass on March 23, 2026, pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1, indicating it did not advance in the specified session.

  • Legislative path and actions to watch

    • If reintroduced or amended, it would again progress through committee hearings, potential floor votes, and reconciliations between house versions.
    • Local government provisions may require updates to municipal codes if enacted in future sessions.

Potential impact (high-level)

  • Could provide a state-funded paid leave program, reducing financial strain on workers needing to take family or medical leave.
  • Shifts some responsibility for wage protection from employers to a state-administered insurance program.
  • Allows local governments to tailor leave requirements to community needs, potentially increasing coverage in municipalities.
  • Introduces new regulatory and administrative structures, with associated funding and enforcement mechanisms.

Note: The bill’s progress in the 2025 session shows it did not pass, but the provisions outline a framework for a state family and medical leave insurance program if reintroduced and enacted in a future session.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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