An Act to create 146.67 of the statutes; Relating to: perimenopause and menopause education. (FE)
Summary
SB356 would create a new statute directing the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) to develop and coordinate education efforts on perimenopause and menopause. DHS would be required to partner with health care providers, including obstetricians and gynecologists, as well as community health centers and hospitals, to help educate women about the symptoms, biological process, treatments, and related issues surrounding perimenopause and menopause.
The bill also requires DHS, working with those partners, to create informational materials in both electronic and physical formats. These materials could be distributed to, or accessed by, women whom a health care provider determines are experiencing or are likely to soon experience perimenopause or menopause. The required materials must include guidance on symptoms that warrant consulting a provider, how to discuss the transition with family and friends, and any other information DHS deems necessary for preparation and education. The act would take effect on the first day of the third month after publication.
Impact
SB356 would add a new section, s. 146.67, to the Wisconsin statutes and impose a new public-health education duty on DHS. It does not create a regulatory or benefit program, but it does require state coordination with medical providers and health institutions to produce and disseminate menopause-related educational materials. The bill primarily affects DHS, health care providers, community health centers, hospitals, and women receiving care related to perimenopause and menopause.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been generally favorable in concept, as reflected by its introduction with multiple bipartisan cosponsors and its focus on health education rather than regulation. 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 available record, support seems to have centered on improving awareness and preparation for a common but often under-discussed health transition.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided transcripts or votes. Potential areas of debate, based on the bill text, could include the administrative burden on DHS, the scope of required partnerships, and whether the state should be responsible for producing targeted educational materials for a specific stage of women’s health. Because no committee discussion is available, it is not possible to identify which legislators or stakeholders raised objections.
Designates October of each year as "Menopause Awareness Month" October 11 of each year as "Perimenopause Day," and October 18 of each year as "Postmenopause Day" in New Jersey.
Designates October of each year as "Menopause Awareness Month," October 11 of each year as "Perimenopause Day," and October 18 of each year as "Postmenopause Day" in New Jersey.
Establishes interagency council on menopause in DOH and requires certain lincensed health care professionals to distribute menopause informational pamphlets under certain circumstances.