An Act Relating to: funding for the Family Foundations home visitation program for social media education and making an appropriation. (FE)
Summary
SB968 increases state funding for Wisconsin’s Family Foundations home visitation program by $500,000 in fiscal year 2026-27. The added money is directed to the Department of Children and Families to expand parental education on social media, including how social media affects children and how parents can use it in healthier ways. The bill does not create a new program; instead, it builds on an existing home visitation and child abuse/neglect prevention grant program under current law.
Under the bill, the appropriation for DCF under the Family Foundations program would be increased in the state budget schedule, with the funds used specifically for social media-related parent education within home visitation services. The underlying program already serves eligible parents receiving Medical Assistance who are assessed as being at risk of poor birth outcomes or child abuse or neglect, so the bill would add a new educational emphasis within that existing service structure.
Impact
SB968 would amend the state’s appropriations schedule to increase general purpose revenue for DCF by $500,000 in 2026-27 for the Family Foundations home visitation program. It would not substantially change eligibility rules or the structure of the program, but it would direct additional state funding toward parental education on social media and healthy social media practices. The bill affects DCF, home visitation grant recipients, and families served through the existing child abuse and neglect prevention framework under s. 48.983 and related appropriation provisions.
Sentiment
The available record shows limited direct debate or recorded committee testimony, so sentiment must be inferred from sponsorship and the bill’s subject matter. The bill was introduced with bipartisan-looking cosponsorship from senators and representatives, suggesting at least some cross-party interest in the issue of children’s social media exposure and parental guidance. However, the bill ultimately failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1, indicating that it did not secure the necessary legislative support to advance.
Contention
The main point of contention appears to be whether state funds should be added for this specific educational purpose within an existing home visitation program, rather than used for other child and family services. Potential concerns could include the effectiveness of social media education as a use of public dollars, the scope of DCF’s role in addressing digital media issues, and whether the appropriation should be prioritized over other prevention or family support needs. Because there were no committee transcripts provided, no specific objections or supporters are documented beyond the bill’s sponsors and the fact that it did not pass.