An Act to create 85.65 of the statutes; Relating to: public protective services hearing protection assistance. (FE)
Summary
AB 285 would create a new state program in the Department of Transportation to provide hearing protection devices to public protective services agencies. Under the bill, DOT would obtain commercially available reusable ear-canal hearing protection devices from a manufacturer and, upon request, distribute them to law enforcement agencies and fire protective agencies in Wisconsin.
The bill sets product standards for the devices: they must be designed for multiple use, fit completely within the ear canal, have a minimum noise reduction rating of 25 decibels, and have a maximum output of 80 decibels. Agencies could request as many devices as they determine are necessary for their use, making the program a supply-and-distribution mechanism rather than a mandate on local agencies.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would add section 85.65 to the Wisconsin statutes and assign the Department of Transportation a new administrative role in procuring and distributing hearing protection equipment. The practical effect would be to support hearing conservation for law enforcement and fire personnel by making standardized protective devices available through the state, potentially reducing procurement costs or improving access for local agencies. The bill would not appear to impose new operational requirements on agencies beyond allowing them to request devices.
Sentiment
The available record shows little direct debate, committee testimony, or recorded votes on the bill, so there is no detailed public sentiment captured in the provided materials. The bill’s structure suggests a generally supportive, service-oriented approach aimed at protecting first responders’ hearing health, and its introduction by bipartisan sponsors may indicate cross-party interest in the issue. However, the bill ultimately failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1, indicating that it did not advance through the legislative process despite its limited and targeted scope.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided transcripts or vote history. Potential areas of concern, based on the bill text alone, could include the cost and logistics of DOT procurement, whether the state should centrally supply equipment that local agencies might otherwise purchase themselves, and whether the product specifications are too narrow or too broad. Because no committee discussion is included, it is not possible to attribute any objections or support to particular legislators, agencies, or stakeholder groups.
Relating to advisory bodies for the Department of Family and Protective Services, including the creation of the child protective investigations advisory committee and the abolition of the Family and Protective Services Council.