A new bill authored by State Sen. Johnson in the Wisconsin Senate seeks to support individuals pursuing licensure as school social workers through financial stipends during their internships, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature’s official website, the bill was described as follows: “stipend payments for school social worker interns 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 requires the Department of Public Instruction to provide stipends to individuals who are enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs leading to licensure as school social workers and who are placed as interns in public schools governed by a school board. It allocates $2 million annually for this purpose, beginning in the 2026-27 school year. The bill takes effect the day after publication or on the second day following the publication of the 2025 biennial budget act, whichever is later.
The bill was co-authored by Representative Robyn Vining (Democrat-13th District), Senator Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (Democrat-18th District), Senator Dora E. Drake (Democrat-4th District), Senator Dianne H. Hesselbein (Democrat-27th District), Senator Chris Larson (Democrat-7th 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 32 other co-sponsors.
LaTonya Johnson has authored or co-authored another 32 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with all of them being adopted.
Johnson graduated from Tennessee State University in 1997 with a BS.
Johnson, a Democrat, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2017 to represent the state’s 6th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Nikiya Harris Dodd.
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.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| SB340 | 06/27/2025 | Stipend payments for school social worker interns and making an appropriation. (FE) |
| SB336 | 06/19/2025 | Sales and transfers of firearms and providing a penalty. (FE) |
| SB332 | 06/19/2025 | Prohibition against undetectable firearms, possessing a frame or receiver of a firearm without a serial number, and providing a penalty |
| SB330 | 06/19/2025 | Waiting period for purchase of handguns |
| SB329 | 06/19/2025 | Extreme risk protection temporary restraining orders and injunctions, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (FE) |
| SB250 | 05/09/2025 | Prohibiting abandonment of a boat and providing a penalty |
| SB187 | 04/14/2025 | Study of guaranteed employment grant program and making an appropriation. (FE) |
