The Wisconsin state Senate passed three major bills Thursday, all largely supported by Democratic lawmakers.
A bill that would change the eligibility criteria for representation by a public defender passed in the Senate on a 21-12 vote and awaits a final vote in the Assembly.
According to state Sen. Spencer Coggs, D-Milwaukee, one of the senators who introduced the bill, it will both uphold the constitutional rights of defendants and save county governments over $7.6 million per year.
""This legislation is vital to the interests of defendants and the efficient, constitutional operation of our courts,"" Coggs said in a release.
The Wisconsin Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity Act passed 19-13 in the Senate and would require health insurance plans to provide mental health and substance abuse coverage.
Opponents argued the bill is too costly for employers and will raise health insurance premiums while supporters argued that it is long overdue and saves money.
""It is well-established that failing to provide adequate coverage for these treatable diseases drives up costs throughout society—onto the workplace, the corrections system, county budgets, taxpayers and families across the state,"" state Rep. Sandy Pasch, D-Whitefish Bay, said in a press release.
The Senate voted 18-15 to pass Assembly Bill 458, which prohibits abstinence-only sex education classes in school districts that include a human growth and development course.
Although some argued the bill diminishes school district control, the bill has already passed in the Assembly and will go to Gov. Jim Doyle for approval.
As evening approached, the Assembly voted for governance change in Milwaukee Public Schools to go under individual review, though no bills were introduced. Despite Doyle's call for a special session, both supporters and opponents of mayoral district control tried to reach a compromise. According to Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, there were not enough votes to pass the bill, and the special session was discontinued until Tuesday.
