The new bill authored by State Rep. Brooks seeks to ensure timely notification to defense authorities when child abuse investigations involve parents in the military or National Guard, according to the Wisconsin State Assembly.
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature’s official website, the bill was described as follows: “the notice of an investigation of child abuse or neglect or unborn child abuse provided to appropriate authorities of the U.S. Department of Defense. (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 if an agency within Wisconsin initiates an investigation into child abuse, neglect, or unborn child abuse and identifies or suspects that a parent is a member of the U.S. armed forces, reserve component, or Wisconsin National Guard, the agency must notify the appropriate U.S. Department of Defense authorities within 24 hours. This notification is limited to providing the name and address of the child or expectant mother and the fact that an investigation has commenced. The bill maintains that the same confidentiality requirements applicable to all reports of suspected child abuse or neglect also apply to this notification.
The bill was co-authored by Senator André Jacque (Republican-1st District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), Representative Rick Gundrum (Republican-58th District), Representative Dave Maxey (Republican-83rd District), Representative David Murphy (Republican-56th District).
Robert Brooks has co-authored or authored another 46 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Brooks, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2025 to represent the state’s 59th Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Ty Bodden.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| AB252 | 05/08/2025 | The notice of an investigation of child abuse or neglect or unborn child abuse provided to appropriate authorities of the U.S. Department of Defense. (FE) |
| AB251 | 05/08/2025 | Jurisdiction over juveniles on federal enclaves. (FE) |
| AB244 | 05/02/2025 | Posting the child abuse and neglect reporting hotline in school buildings. (FE) |
| AB228 | 04/29/2025 | Tax incremental financing districts containing qualified data centers. (FE) |
| AB217 | 04/23/2025 | Local government competitive bidding thresholds. (FE) |
| AB202 | 04/17/2025 | Voidable provisions in residential rental agreements and the application of the Wisconsin Consumer Act to leases. (FE) |
| AB194 | 04/15/2025 | Modifications to housing programs under the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. (FE) |
| AB188 | 04/15/2025 | Reduction of penalty surcharge when certain fines or forfeitures reduced. (FE) |
| AB174 | 04/14/2025 | Transmission facilities; installation of large wind energy, large solar energy, and battery energy storage systems; installation of light-mitigating technology systems; and prioritizing nuclear energy resources. (FE) |
| AB163 | 04/08/2025 | Redeterminations of eligibility for the Medical Assistance program and database confirmation for public assistance program eligibility. (FE) |
| AB140 | 03/17/2025 | Limitations on the total value of taxable property that may be included in a tax incremental financing district created in the city of Port Washington. (FE) |
| AB51 | 02/20/2025 | Participation in interscholastic athletics and application of the public records and open meetings laws to interscholastic athletic associations |
| AB45 | 02/17/2025 | Ratification of the Dietitian Licensure Compact. (FE) |
| AB8 | 02/06/2025 | Agreements for direct primary care |
