An Act to create 20.285 (1) (cm) of the statutes; Relating to: funding for University of Wisconsin System student health services and making an appropriation. (FE)
Summary
SB351 would create a new appropriation in the Wisconsin statutes for the University of Wisconsin System to receive state funding for additional or improved student health services focused on mental and behavioral health. The bill specifically directs the money toward staffing, training, operations, assessment, and prevention activities intended to strengthen campus health support for students.
The bill sets aside General Purpose Revenue of $11 million in each of two fiscal years, 2025-26 and 2026-27, for these purposes. In practical terms, it would add a dedicated funding line in the state budget for UW System student health services and authorize the system to use those funds for expanded mental and behavioral health-related services.
Impact
If enacted, SB351 would amend the state’s appropriations schedule and create s. 20.285 (1) (cm) to establish a recurring state funding source for UW System student health services. The bill would not broadly restructure higher education law, but it would direct significant state aid to campus health programs and could affect how UW campuses staff and deliver mental and behavioral health services to students. Because it is an appropriation bill, its main legal effect would be to authorize spending rather than impose regulatory requirements on students or universities beyond the specified funding purpose.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been introduced with broad sponsorship from a large group of Senate and Assembly members, suggesting notable legislative interest in expanding student mental health support. However, there is no recorded committee transcript or vote history in the provided materials, and the bill ultimately failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1. Based on the text alone, the measure is framed in a supportive, service-oriented way, with no evidence in the provided record of formal debate or amendment-driven opposition.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided committee materials or vote record. The most likely areas of debate, based on the bill text, would be the size of the appropriation, whether the funding should be recurring, and how the University of Wisconsin System should prioritize staffing versus other service needs. Any disagreement would likely center on budgetary tradeoffs and the scope of state responsibility for student mental and behavioral health services rather than on the underlying goal of supporting students.
Crossfiled
An Act to create 20.285 (1) (cm) of the statutes; Relating to: funding for University of Wisconsin System student health services and making an appropriation. (FE)