A new bill authored by State Rep. Joy L. Goeben in the Wisconsin Assembly seeks to expand care limits for certified child care operators in the state, according to the Wisconsin State Assembly.
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature’s official website, the bill was described as follows: “allowing certified child care operators to provide care to up to six children. (FE)”.
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill amends current provisions by allowing certified child care operators in Wisconsin to provide care for up to six children under age seven, irrespective of their relation to the operator. It adjusts the existing regulation, which permits operators to care for up to six children total but only three of whom may be unrelated. The bill includes specific provisions for the care of younger children: operators may care for a maximum of five children if three are under age two, and a maximum of four children if four are under age two. These changes expand the care capabilities for certified child care operators, ensuring compliance with Department of Children and Families certification.
The bill was co-authored by Senator Romaine Robert Quinn (Republican-25th District), Representative Scott Allen (Republican-82nd District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), Representative Robert Brooks (Republican-59th District), Representative Barbara Dittrich (Republican-99th District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Cory Tomczyk (Republican-29th District), along 11 other co-sponsors.
Joy L. Goeben has co-authored or authored another 96 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with all of them being adopted.
Goeben graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in 1997 with a BS.
Goeben, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2023 to represent the state’s 5th Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Jim Steineke.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| AB349 | 07/08/2025 | Allowing certified child care operators to provide care to up to six children. (FE) |
| AB348 | 07/08/2025 | The minimum age of assistant child care teachers |
| AB323 | 07/08/2025 | Ratification of the Cosmetology Licensure Compact. (FE) |
| AB230 | 05/02/2025 | Requiring retail sellers to accept cash and providing a penalty. (FE) |
| AB229 | 05/02/2025 | The law enforcement officers’ bill of rights |
| AB191 | 04/15/2025 | Requiring a subpoena to a law enforcement officer or tribal law enforcement officer served in official capacity to be served at the officer’s work address |
| AB152 | 04/02/2025 | Bid requirement for publication and printing of county board proceedings, notices, and advertisements in counties having a population of 250,000 or more and at least two English newspapers published daily |
| AB138 | 03/17/2025 | Jailers and protective occupation annuitants in the Wisconsin Retirement System who are rehired by a participating employer. (FE) |
| AB124 | 03/11/2025 | Prohibiting persons who have been convicted of a violent crime from changing their name and providing a penalty |
| AB123 | 03/11/2025 | Calculation of miles for purposes of relocation of a child 100 miles or more from the other parent in an action affecting the family |
| AB105 | 03/10/2025 | The distribution of certain material on the Internet |
| AB56 | 02/24/2025 | Requiring the display of the national motto in public schools and on public buildings. (FE) |
| AB53 | 02/24/2025 | Special circumstances battery to a community service officer and providing a penalty |
| AB40 | 02/17/2025 | School safety grants and making an appropriation. (FE) |
| AB11 | 02/06/2025 | Pelvic exams on unconscious patients and creating an administrative rule related to hospital requirements for pelvic exams on unconscious patients |
