Assembly Bill 80 seeks to ratify and enter Wisconsin into the Social Work Licensure Compact, which facilitates the practice of social work across member states. The bill establishes a Social Work Licensure Compact Commission, which will oversee the compact's operations, including the creation of bylaws and the collection of fees to support its activities. It allows licensed social workers in their home states to obtain a multistate license, enabling them to practice in other compact states, provided they meet specific criteria. The compact also includes provisions for a coordinated data system to track licensure and disciplinary actions, as well as mechanisms for resolving disputes among member states.

In addition to ratifying the compact, the bill amends various sections of current law to align definitions and requirements with the new compact framework. Notably, it replaces references to "certified under" with "as defined in" for social workers, professional counselors, and marriage and family therapists, ensuring consistency with the definitions established in the compact. The bill also introduces new sections related to the compact and repeals outdated language, thereby modernizing the legal framework governing social work licensure in Wisconsin.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 46.90(4)(ab)4, 46.90, 48.56(2), 48.56, 48.561(2), 48.561, 49.45(30j)(a)1, 49.45, 51.03(6)(a), 51.03, 55.043(1m)(a)4, 55.043, 146.81(1)(hg), 146.81, 146.89(1)(r)6, 146.89, 146.89(1)(r)7, 146.997(1)(d)11, 146.997, 252.14(1)(ar)7, 252.14, 252.15(1)(er), 252.15, 253.10(2)(f), 253.10, 303.08(1)(f), 303.08, 440.03(13)(b)(intro.), 440.03, 440.15, 446.01(1v)(m), 446.01, 450.10(3)(a)10, 450.10