Senate Bill 142 aims to prohibit the use of algorithmic software in determining rental rates or occupancy levels for residential housing in Wisconsin. The bill defines algorithmic software as any software that utilizes algorithms to analyze nonpublic competitor data related to rent or occupancy, which landlords may use to make decisions about their properties. Under this legislation, it is illegal for any person to sell, license, or provide such software to residential landlords. The bill also establishes enforcement mechanisms, allowing the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, the attorney general, or district attorneys to investigate violations and seek civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation. Additionally, tenants are granted the right to file civil actions for damages or seek injunctive relief if their landlords violate these prohibitions.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that any lease agreement containing provisions that waive a landlord's obligation to comply with the new regulations or that discourage tenants from pursuing legal action will be deemed void and unenforceable. This ensures that tenants are protected from potential retaliatory actions by landlords and reinforces the bill's intent to eliminate the use of algorithmic software in residential housing decisions. The new sections created in the statutes, specifically 704.44 (11) and 704.60, outline these prohibitions and the associated penalties, thereby enhancing tenant rights and promoting fair housing practices.