Wisconsin Senate Bill SB1004

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/12/26
• Refer: 2/12/26
• Failed: 3/23/26

Caption

An Act to repeal 460.09 (title); to renumber and amend 460.05 (1), 460.05 (2), 460.07 (2) and 460.09; to amend 146.81 (1) (hp), 146.997 (1) (d) 13., 440.03 (13) (b) (intro.), 440.03 (13) (c) 2., 440.15, 446.01 (1v) (o), 460.01 (intro.), 460.01 (2m), 460.02, 460.03 (intro.), 460.03 (1), 460.04 (2) (b), 460.04 (2) (e), 460.04 (2) (f), 460.04 (2) (g), 460.05 (4), 460.06 (intro.), 460.07 (1), 460.08, 460.095 (4) (intro.), 460.10 (1) (intro.), 460.10 (1) (a), 460.10 (2), 460.14 (1), 460.14 (2) (intro.), 460.14 (2) (j), 460.14 (2m) (intro.), 460.14 (3), 460.14 (4), 460.145, 460.15, 460.17 (1), 460.17 (2) (a) 1., 460.17 (2) (a) 2. and 895.48 (1m) (a) (intro.); to create 14.898, 111.335 (4) (jo), 440.03 (11m) (c) 2wm., 440.03 (13) (c) 1. m., subchapter I (title) of chapter 460 [precedes 460.01], 460.01 (2), 460.01 (2k), 460.01 (5), 460.01 (8), 460.05 (3m), 460.07 (2) (bm), 460.11 (4) and subchapter II of chapter 460 [precedes 460.50] of the statutes; Relating to: ratification of the Interstate Massage Compact. (FE)

Summary

SB1004 would ratify Wisconsin’s entry into the Interstate Massage Compact and create a new statutory framework for multistate massage therapy licensure. The bill establishes an Interstate Massage Compact Commission, authorizes Wisconsin to participate in the compact’s rulemaking and data-sharing system, and creates a pathway for a massage therapist licensed in a home state to obtain a multistate license that permits practice in other member states. It also defines key terms such as “authorization to practice,” “multistate license,” and “single-state license,” and reorganizes chapter 460 to separate Wisconsin’s existing massage therapy regulation from the compact provisions. The bill also updates Wisconsin’s massage therapy licensing laws to align with compact requirements. It requires background checks for multistate license applicants, allows the affiliated credentialing board to deny licensure based on certain conviction records without violating employment discrimination law, and requires malpractice liability insurance of at least $1 million per occurrence and $1 million aggregate annually. It also preserves state and local enforcement authority over massage practice, while limiting local ordinances that conflict with state licensure rules and extending certain immunity provisions to individuals practicing under an out-of-state compact authorization.

Impact

If enacted, SB1004 would amend multiple sections of Wisconsin statutes governing massage therapy, credentialing, criminal background checks, malpractice insurance, local regulation, and professional discipline. It would create a new subchapter in chapter 460 for the Interstate Massage Compact, authorize multistate practice in Wisconsin for compact licensees, and require Wisconsin to share licensure and disciplinary information through a compact database. The bill would also affect related statutes covering fingerprinting, health-care professional definitions, and civil liability immunity for volunteer care, while superseding conflicting state or local laws to the extent they are inconsistent with the compact.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have been introduced as a professional licensure and mobility measure, with the stated goals of improving public access, increasing workforce mobility, and strengthening public safety through coordinated oversight. The bill text reflects a generally supportive policy rationale for interstate practice, including benefits for military families and more efficient regulation. However, the available record shows no committee transcript or vote details, and the bill ultimately failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1, indicating it did not advance to enactment.

Contention

The main points of potential contention are the balance between interstate mobility and state regulatory control, the scope of compact rulemaking authority, and the compact’s disciplinary and data-sharing requirements. The bill allows a remote state’s adverse action to affect a licensee’s authorization in all remote states, which may raise concerns about due process and the reach of out-of-state discipline. Other likely issues include mandatory background checks and fingerprinting for multistate applicants, the $1 million malpractice insurance requirement, and the extent to which the compact can supersede conflicting state or local laws. The bill also creates a commission with rulemaking, fee-setting, and enforcement powers, which may draw scrutiny from those concerned about delegation of authority or administrative costs.