Madison, WI – Gov. Tony Evers recently signed Assembly Bill (AB) 651, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 145, which makes several improvements to Wisconsin’s worker’s compensation system.
The bill enacted by Gov. Evers bolsters support for Wisconsin workers across the state, including increasing certain permanent disability benefit rates, modifying the statutes of limitation, expanding coverage for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for emergency service personnel, strengthening penalties and enforcement tools related to worker’s compensation insurance fraud and noncompliance, and more. The bill reflects a negotiated, agreed-upon package developed through the Workers Compensation Advisory Council, representing compromises between labor and management. Gov. Evers signed similar legislation in 2024, and together, these efforts represent bipartisan, good-faith efforts to bolster protections for Wisconsin’s best-in-class workforce.
“Here in Wisconsin, we’re working hard to build the brighter future that working folks and families deserve, which is why I’m glad to be taking action on two bills to continue our work to support workers and ensure they get the benefits they deserve and that our systems work and work well for the folks they serve,” said Gov. Evers. “Our workforce is the backbone of our state, and Wisconsin has a proud history of making sure workers are treated with dignity and respect. Today, we’re proving that we’re more committed to that legacy than ever, and I want to thank all the bipartisan partners for their support and advocacy to come to good faith agreements and get this done.”
Assembly Bill 651, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 145:
- Reflects recommendations of the Worker’s Compensation Advisory Council and is intended to make incremental adjustments to benefit adequacy, system efficiency, and program integrity, including:
- Increasing the maximum weekly compensation rate;
- Expanding eligibility for supplemental benefits in cases of permanent total disability due to a workplace injury;
- Allowing lump-sum payments to be made directly to injured employees, if requirements are met;
- Modifying the statutes of limitation, establishing no statute of limitation for traumatic injuries requiring shoulder replacement or reverse shoulder replacement;
- Expanding worker’s compensation coverage for PTSD by extending eligibility to emergency medical responders, emergency medical services practitioners, and volunteer or part-time firefighters under standards and limitations similar to those applicable to law enforcement officers and full-time firefighters;
- Strengthening enforcement provisions by increasing penalties for employers who fail to maintain required worker’s compensation insurance, and by creating or expanding criminal penalties related to fraudulent applications and misclassification of employees to reduce premiums;
- Prohibiting the “stacking” of permanent partial disability ratings for repeated surgical procedures on the same limb and provides that healthcare providers shall determine a permanent disability rating;
- Allowing an employer’s or insurer’s case management personnel to access records and participation in discharge planning when required to ensure that the employee with a disability has appropriate housing and transportation in the case of an inpatient hospitalization of an employee;
- Making multiple changes to hearing and dispute resolution procedures; and
- Requiring insurance carriers to file claims electronically or in the media format required by the department.
Source: WI Governor’s Office