Sen. Carpenter authors Wisconsin Senate bill to fund mental health services in schools

The new bill authored by State Sen. Tim Carpenter in the Wisconsin Senate seeks to provide annual reimbursements for mental health services in schools, aiming to improve access and support for students, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature’s official website, the bill was described as follows: “aid for comprehensive school mental health services and making an appropriation. (FE)”.

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill establishes new categorical aid for school districts and independent charter schools in Wisconsin, replacing the current grant program for mental health services. Beginning with the 2025-26 school year, it mandates the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to annually reimburse costs incurred for mental health services provided during in-school or out-of-school time, up to the greater of $100,000 or $100 per enrolled pupil. Eligible expenses include mental health improvement strategies, literacy programs, collaboration with mental health providers, and telehealth services. However, reimbursement does not cover direct treatment services, insurance deductibles, non-mental health-related training, or overhead expenses. If allocated funds are insufficient, DPI is required to prorate reimbursements. Additionally, the bill increases funding by $83.888 million for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years, with an effective date following publication or the biennial budget act’s publication, whichever is later.

The bill was co-authored by Representative Robyn Vining (Democrat-13th District), Senator Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (Democrat-18th District), Senator Dianne H. Hesselbein (Democrat-27th District), Senator Brad Pfaff (Democrat-32nd District), Senator Melissa Ratcliff (Democrat-16th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Clinton M. Anderson (Democrat-45th District), Representative Margaret Arney (Democrat-18th District), and Representative Mike Bare (Democrat-80th District), along 27 other co-sponsors.

Tim Carpenter has authored or co-authored another 56 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with all of them being adopted.

Carpenter graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1982 with a BA.

Carpenter, a Democrat, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2003 to represent the state’s 3rd Senate district, replacing previous state senator Brian Burke.

In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.