Senate Bill 202
Elimination of compensatory and punitive damages for acts of employment discrimination or unfair honesty or genetic testing
Topics: Circuit court, Damage (personal injury), Discrimination in employment, Genetics and genetic testing, Lie detector, Workforce Development, Department of
Became law
The governor signed it on Apr 6, 2012. It's .
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Introduced, passed
Sep 27, 2011
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Committee, passed
Approved
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Senate vote, passed
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Assembly vote, passed
Passed 60 to 35
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Governor, passed
Signed
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Law, here now
2011 Wisconsin Act 219
Latest entry in the official record, Apr 10, 2012: “Published 4-19-2012”
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Terms on this page
Wisconsin Act
The number a bill gets when it becomes law, like 2025 Wisconsin Act 12.
Official term: Act. More in the glossary
Legislative Reference Bureau
The Legislature's nonpartisan office that drafts bills and writes the summary at the top of each one.
Official term: LRB analysis. More in the glossary
Author
A lawmaker who formally puts a bill forward. The text itself is drafted by the Legislative Reference Bureau.
Official term: Author, coauthor. More in the glossary
Signed on in support
Lawmakers who back a bill without being one of its authors, often from the other chamber.
Official term: Cosponsor. More in the glossary
Cost estimate
A state agency's estimate of what a bill would cost or save.
Official term: Fiscal estimate. More in the glossary
Roll call
A vote where each lawmaker's yes or no is recorded by name.
Official term: Roll call vote. More in the glossary
What it does
Summary by the , the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.
Under the current fair employment law, a person alleging discrimination in employment or unfair honesty or genetic testing may file a complaint with the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) seeking action that will effectuate the purpose of the fair employment law, including reinstating the employee, providing back pay, and paying costs and attorney fees. In addition, the fair employment law permits DWD or a person who has been discriminated against or subjected to unfair honesty or genetic testing to bring an action in circuit court to recover compensatory and punitive damages caused by the act of discrimination or unfair honesty or genetic testing after the completion of all administrative proceedings before DWD and the Labor and Industry Review Commission concerning the violation. If the circuit court finds that a defendant has committed an act of discrimination or unfair honesty or genetic testing, the circuit court must order the defendant to pay to the person discriminated against compensatory and punitive damages in an amount that the circuit court finds appropriate, subject to certain limitations, as follows:
1. If the defendant employs 100 or fewer employees, $50,000.
Read the full summary Show less
2. If the defendant employs more than 100 but fewer than 201 employees, $100,000.
3. If the defendant employs more than 200 but fewer than 501 employees, $200,000.
4. If the defendant employs more than 500 employees, $300,000.
This bill eliminates the awarding of compensatory and punitive damages to persons who have been discriminated against in employment or subjected to unfair honesty or genetic testing. Under the bill, DWD may still award to such a person back pay, costs, and attorney fees.
Who's behind it
7 senators are its . All 7 are Republicans.
26 more lawmakers .
See all 33 names Hide the names
Authors (7)
- Alberta Darling · Republican, Senate
- Pam Galloway · Republican, Senate
- Glenn Grothman · Republican, Senate
- Neal Kedzie · Republican, Senate
- Frank G. Lasee · Republican, Senate
- Terry Moulton · Republican, Senate
- Rich Zipperer · Republican, Senate
Signed on in support (26)
- Alvin Ott · Republican, Assembly
- Garey Bies · Republican, Assembly
- Edward Brooks · Republican, Assembly
- David Craig · Republican, Senate
- Mike Endsley · Republican, Assembly
- Mark Honadel · Republican, Assembly
- Chris Kapenga · Republican, Senate
- Dean Kaufert · Republican, Assembly
- Joel Kleefisch · Republican, Assembly
- Joe Knilans · Republican, Assembly
- Dan Knodl · Republican, Assembly
- Dale Kooyenga · Republican, Senate
- Mike Kuglitsch · Republican, Assembly
- Daniel LeMahieu · Republican, Assembly
- Michelle Litjens · Republican, Assembly
- Kevin Petersen · Republican, Assembly
- Don Pridemore · Republican, Assembly
- Roger Rivard · Republican, Assembly
- Erik Severson · Republican, Assembly
- Jim Steineke · Republican, Assembly
- Pat Strachota · Republican, Assembly
- Duey Stroebel · Republican, Senate
- Thomas Larson · Republican, Assembly
- Gary Tauchen · Republican, Assembly
- Jeremy Thiesfeldt · Republican, Assembly
- Robin Vos · Republican, Assembly
What it would cost
State agencies filed a . Each opens as a PDF from the Legislature.
Versions and amendments
Every text the Legislature printed for this bill, including proposed changes. Each opens on the Legislature's site.
How lawmakers voted
There were 6 votes on this bill. Taking a bill up right away needs two-thirds of the members, a higher bar than passing it, so that vote can draw more yeses than the final one.
Senate Committee on Judiciary vote to recommend it
Passed, 3 to 2 · Oct 26, 2011
No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Official motion: “Report passage recommended by committee on Judiciary, Utilities, Commerce, and Government Operations, Ayes 3, Noes 2”. Official record · This vote on its own page
Senate vote on an amendment
Passed, 17 to 15 · Nov 2, 2011
No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Official motion: “Senate substitute amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 17, Noes 15”. Official record · This vote on its own page
Assembly vote to take it up right away
Passed, 55 to 37 · Nov 3, 2011 · 6 didn't vote
See how each of the 98 representatives voted Hide the names
D: Democrat, I: Independent, R: Republican
Yes (55)
- Alvin Ott (R, 3)
- Amy Loudenbeck (R, 31)
- André Jacque (R, 1)
- Bill Kramer (R, 97)
- Chad Weininger (R, 4)
- Chris Kapenga (R, 33)
- Dale Kooyenga (R, 5)
- Dan Knodl (R, 24)
- Dan Meyer (R, 34)
- Daniel LeMahieu (R, 59)
- David Craig (R, 28)
- Dean Kaufert (R, 53)
- Don Pridemore (R, 22)
- Duey Stroebel (R, 20)
- Edward Brooks (R, 50)
- Evan Wynn (R, 43)
- Gary Tauchen (R, 6)
- Howard Marklein (R, 17)
- Jeff Fitzgerald (R, 39)
- Jeff Mursau (R, 36)
- Jeffrey Stone (R, 82)
- Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R, 52)
- Jerry Petrowski (R, 29)
- Jim Ott (R, 23)
- Jim Steineke (R, 5)
- Joan Ballweg (R, 14)
- Joe Knilans (R, 44)
- Joel Kleefisch (R, 38)
- John Klenke (R, 88)
- John Murtha (R, 29)
- John Nygren (R, 89)
- Karl Van Roy (R, 90)
- Kathleen Bernier (R, 23)
- Keith Ripp (R, 42)
- Kevin Petersen (R, 57)
- Lee Nerison (R, 96)
- Mark Honadel (R, 21)
- Michelle Litjens (R, 56)
- Mike Endsley (R, 26)
- Mike Kuglitsch (R, 84)
- Pat Strachota (R, 58)
- Paul F. Farrow (R, 33)
- Richard Spanbauer (R, 53)
- Robin Vos (R, 33)
- Roger Rivard (R, 75)
- Samantha Kerkman (R, 61)
- Scott Krug (R, 72)
- Scott Suder (R, 69)
- Steve Kestell (R, 27)
- Steve Nass (R, 11)
- Thomas Larson (R, 67)
- Thomas Tiffany (R, 12)
- Travis Tranel (R, 49)
- Tyler August (R, 31)
- Warren Petryk (R, 93)
No (37)
- Amy Sue Vruwink (D, 70)
- Andy Jorgensen (D, 43)
- Barbara Toles (D, 17)
- Brett Hulsey (D, 78)
- Chris Danou (D, 92)
- Chris Taylor (D, 76)
- Christine Sinicki (D, 20)
- Cory Mason (D, 66)
- David Cullen (D, 13)
- Donna Seidel (D, 85)
- Elizabeth Coggs (D, 10)
- Fred Clark (D, 81)
- Frederick Kessler (D, 12)
- Gordon Hintz (D, 54)
- Janet Bewley (D, 25)
- Janis Ringhand (D, 15)
- Jason Fields (D, 11)
- JoCasta Zamarripa (D, 8)
- John Steinbrink (D, 65)
- Jon Richards (D, 19)
- Josh Zepnick (D, 9)
- Kelda Roys (D, 26)
- Leon Young (D, 16)
- Louis Molepske Jr. (D, 71)
- Margaret Krusick (D, 7)
- Mark Pocan (D, 78)
- Mark Radcliffe (D, 92)
- Nick Milroy (D, 73)
- Penny Bernard Schaber (D, 57)
- Peter Barca (D, 64)
- Robert Turner (D, 61)
- Sandy Pasch (D, 10)
- Sondy Pope (D, 80)
- Steve Doyle (D, 94)
- Tamara Grigsby (D, 18)
- Terese Berceau (D, 77)
- Tony Staskunas (D, 15)
Didn't vote (6)
- Bob Ziegelbauer (I, 25)
- Dean Knudson (R, 30)
- Erik Severson (R, 28)
- Garey Bies (R, 1)
- Gary Hebl (D, 46)
- Mary Williams (R, 87)
Official motion: “Refused to suspend the rules, Ayes 55, Noes 37”. Official record · This vote on its own page
Senate vote to pass it
Passed, 17 to 16 · Nov 3, 2011
See how each of the 33 senators voted Hide the names
D: Democrat, R: Republican
Yes (17)
- Alberta Darling (R, 8)
- Dale Schultz (R, 17)
- Frank G. Lasee (R, 1)
- Glenn Grothman (R, 20)
- Joe Leibham (R, 9)
- Leah Vukmir (R, 5)
- Luther S. Olsen (R, 14)
- Mary Lazich (R, 28)
- Michael Ellis (R, 19)
- Neal Kedzie (R, 11)
- Pam Galloway (R, 29)
- Rich Zipperer (R, 33)
- Rob Cowles (R, 2)
- Scott L. Fitzgerald (R, 13)
- Sheila Harsdorf (R, 10)
- Terry Moulton (R, 23)
- Van Wanggaard (R, 21)
No (16)
- Bob Wirch (D, 22)
- Chris Larson (D, 7)
- Dave Hansen (D, 30)
- Fred A. Risser (D, 26)
- Jennifer Shilling (D, 32)
- Jessica King (D, 18)
- Jim Holperin (D, 12)
- Jon Erpenbach (D, 27)
- Julie M. Lassa (D, 24)
- Kathleen Vinehout (D, 31)
- Lena Taylor (D, 4)
- Mark Miller (D, 16)
- Robert Jauch (D, 25)
- Spencer Coggs (D, 6)
- Tim Carpenter (D, 3)
- Timothy Cullen (D, 15)
Official motion: “Passed, Ayes 17, Noes 16”. Official record · This vote on its own page
Assembly vote to take it up right away
Passed, 58 to 37 · Feb 16, 2012 · 4 didn't vote
See how each of the 99 representatives voted Hide the names
D: Democrat, I: Independent, R: Republican
Yes (58)
- Alvin Ott (R, 3)
- Amy Loudenbeck (R, 31)
- André Jacque (R, 1)
- Bill Kramer (R, 97)
- Bob Ziegelbauer (I, 25)
- Chad Weininger (R, 4)
- Chris Kapenga (R, 33)
- Dale Kooyenga (R, 5)
- Dan Knodl (R, 24)
- Dan Meyer (R, 34)
- Daniel LeMahieu (R, 59)
- David Craig (R, 28)
- Dean Kaufert (R, 53)
- Dean Knudson (R, 30)
- Don Pridemore (R, 22)
- Duey Stroebel (R, 20)
- Edward Brooks (R, 50)
- Erik Severson (R, 28)
- Evan Wynn (R, 43)
- Garey Bies (R, 1)
- Gary Tauchen (R, 6)
- Howard Marklein (R, 17)
- Jeff Fitzgerald (R, 39)
- Jeff Mursau (R, 36)
- Jeffrey Stone (R, 82)
- Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R, 52)
- Jerry Petrowski (R, 29)
- Jim Ott (R, 23)
- Jim Steineke (R, 5)
- Joan Ballweg (R, 14)
- Joe Knilans (R, 44)
- John Klenke (R, 88)
- John Murtha (R, 29)
- John Nygren (R, 89)
- Karl Van Roy (R, 90)
- Kathleen Bernier (R, 23)
- Keith Ripp (R, 42)
- Kevin Petersen (R, 57)
- Lee Nerison (R, 96)
- Mark Honadel (R, 21)
- Mary Williams (R, 87)
- Michelle Litjens (R, 56)
- Mike Kuglitsch (R, 84)
- Pat Strachota (R, 58)
- Paul F. Farrow (R, 33)
- Richard Spanbauer (R, 53)
- Robin Vos (R, 33)
- Roger Rivard (R, 75)
- Samantha Kerkman (R, 61)
- Scott Krug (R, 72)
- Scott Suder (R, 69)
- Steve Kestell (R, 27)
- Steve Nass (R, 11)
- Thomas Larson (R, 67)
- Thomas Tiffany (R, 12)
- Travis Tranel (R, 49)
- Tyler August (R, 31)
- Warren Petryk (R, 93)
No (37)
- Amy Sue Vruwink (D, 70)
- Andy Jorgensen (D, 43)
- Barbara Toles (D, 17)
- Brett Hulsey (D, 78)
- Chris Danou (D, 92)
- Chris Taylor (D, 76)
- Christine Sinicki (D, 20)
- Cory Mason (D, 66)
- David Cullen (D, 13)
- Donna Seidel (D, 85)
- Elizabeth Coggs (D, 10)
- Fred Clark (D, 81)
- Frederick Kessler (D, 12)
- Gary Hebl (D, 46)
- Gordon Hintz (D, 54)
- Janet Bewley (D, 25)
- Janis Ringhand (D, 15)
- Jason Fields (D, 11)
- Jill Billings (D, 95)
- JoCasta Zamarripa (D, 8)
- Jon Richards (D, 19)
- Josh Zepnick (D, 9)
- Kelda Roys (D, 26)
- Leon Young (D, 16)
- Louis Molepske Jr. (D, 71)
- Margaret Krusick (D, 7)
- Mark Pocan (D, 78)
- Mark Radcliffe (D, 92)
- Nick Milroy (D, 73)
- Penny Bernard Schaber (D, 57)
- Peter Barca (D, 64)
- Robert Turner (D, 61)
- Sandy Pasch (D, 10)
- Sondy Pope (D, 80)
- Steve Doyle (D, 94)
- Terese Berceau (D, 77)
- Tony Staskunas (D, 15)
Didn't vote (4)
- Joel Kleefisch (R, 38)
- John Steinbrink (D, 65)
- Mike Endsley (R, 26)
- Tamara Grigsby (D, 18)
Official motion: “Refused to suspend rules to read a third time, Ayes 58, Noes 37”. Official record · This vote on its own page
Assembly vote to pass it
Passed, 60 to 35 · Feb 21, 2012 · 4 didn't vote
See how each of the 99 representatives voted Hide the names
D: Democrat, I: Independent, R: Republican
Yes (60)
- Alvin Ott (R, 3)
- Amy Loudenbeck (R, 31)
- André Jacque (R, 1)
- Bill Kramer (R, 97)
- Bob Ziegelbauer (I, 25)
- Chad Weininger (R, 4)
- Chris Kapenga (R, 33)
- Dale Kooyenga (R, 5)
- Dan Knodl (R, 24)
- Dan Meyer (R, 34)
- Daniel LeMahieu (R, 59)
- David Craig (R, 28)
- Dean Kaufert (R, 53)
- Dean Knudson (R, 30)
- Don Pridemore (R, 22)
- Duey Stroebel (R, 20)
- Edward Brooks (R, 50)
- Erik Severson (R, 28)
- Evan Wynn (R, 43)
- Garey Bies (R, 1)
- Gary Tauchen (R, 6)
- Howard Marklein (R, 17)
- Jeff Fitzgerald (R, 39)
- Jeff Mursau (R, 36)
- Jeffrey Stone (R, 82)
- Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R, 52)
- Jerry Petrowski (R, 29)
- Jim Ott (R, 23)
- Jim Steineke (R, 5)
- Joan Ballweg (R, 14)
- Joe Knilans (R, 44)
- Joel Kleefisch (R, 38)
- John Klenke (R, 88)
- John Murtha (R, 29)
- John Nygren (R, 89)
- Karl Van Roy (R, 90)
- Kathleen Bernier (R, 23)
- Keith Ripp (R, 42)
- Kevin Petersen (R, 57)
- Lee Nerison (R, 96)
- Mark Honadel (R, 21)
- Mary Williams (R, 87)
- Michelle Litjens (R, 56)
- Mike Endsley (R, 26)
- Mike Kuglitsch (R, 84)
- Pat Strachota (R, 58)
- Paul F. Farrow (R, 33)
- Richard Spanbauer (R, 53)
- Robin Vos (R, 33)
- Roger Rivard (R, 75)
- Samantha Kerkman (R, 61)
- Scott Krug (R, 72)
- Scott Suder (R, 69)
- Steve Kestell (R, 27)
- Steve Nass (R, 11)
- Thomas Larson (R, 67)
- Thomas Tiffany (R, 12)
- Travis Tranel (R, 49)
- Tyler August (R, 31)
- Warren Petryk (R, 93)
No (35)
- Amy Sue Vruwink (D, 70)
- Andy Jorgensen (D, 43)
- Barbara Toles (D, 17)
- Brett Hulsey (D, 78)
- Chris Danou (D, 92)
- Chris Taylor (D, 76)
- Christine Sinicki (D, 20)
- Cory Mason (D, 66)
- David Cullen (D, 13)
- Donna Seidel (D, 85)
- Fred Clark (D, 81)
- Frederick Kessler (D, 12)
- Gary Hebl (D, 46)
- Gordon Hintz (D, 54)
- Janet Bewley (D, 25)
- Janis Ringhand (D, 15)
- Jason Fields (D, 11)
- Jill Billings (D, 95)
- JoCasta Zamarripa (D, 8)
- Jon Richards (D, 19)
- Josh Zepnick (D, 9)
- Kelda Roys (D, 26)
- Leon Young (D, 16)
- Louis Molepske Jr. (D, 71)
- Margaret Krusick (D, 7)
- Mark Pocan (D, 78)
- Mark Radcliffe (D, 92)
- Penny Bernard Schaber (D, 57)
- Peter Barca (D, 64)
- Robert Turner (D, 61)
- Sandy Pasch (D, 10)
- Sondy Pope (D, 80)
- Steve Doyle (D, 94)
- Terese Berceau (D, 77)
- Tony Staskunas (D, 15)
Didn't vote (4)
- Elizabeth Coggs (D, 10)
- John Steinbrink (D, 65)
- Nick Milroy (D, 73)
- Tamara Grigsby (D, 18)
Official motion: “Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 60, Noes 35”. Official record · This vote on its own page
What happened
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Apr 10, 2012
The new law was published.
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Apr 6, 2012
The governor signed it. It became 2011 Wisconsin Act 219.
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Mar 29, 2012
Sent to the governor.
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Feb 21, 2012
The Assembly passed it too, 60 to 35.
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Feb 14, 2012
Sent to the Assembly Committee on Rules.
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Nov 3, 2011
“Read” (the official wording)
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Nov 3, 2011
The Assembly received it.
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Nov 3, 2011
The Senate passed it, 17 to 16.
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Nov 3, 2011
“Read a third time” (the official wording)
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Oct 26, 2011
The committee voted to recommend passing it, 3 to 2.
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Oct 19, 2011
The committee held a public hearing.
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Oct 12, 2011
A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.
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Sep 27, 2011
Sent to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Utilities, Commerce, and Government Operations.
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Sep 27, 2011
Introduced in the Senate.
See the official record, word for word Hide the official record
- Sep 27, 2011 · Senate
Introduced by Senators Grothman, Galloway, Darling, Lasee, Kedzie, Zipperer and Moulton;Cosponsored by Representatives Litjens, LeMahieu, Pridemore, Thiesfeldt, Honadel, Brooks, Knodl, Kleefisch, T. Larson, Kooyenga, Rivard, Kapenga, Steineke, Severson, Petersen, Stroebel, Vos, Knilans, Craig, A. Ott, Kaufert, Tauchen, Bies, Kuglitsch, Endsley and Strachota
- Sep 27, 2011 · Senate
Read first time and referred to committee on Judiciary, Utilities, Commerce, and Government Operations
- Oct 12, 2011 · Senate
Fiscal estimate received
- Oct 19, 2011 · Senate
Public hearing held
- Oct 26, 2011 · Senate
Executive action taken
- Oct 26, 2011 · Senate
Report passage recommended by committee on Judiciary, Utilities, Commerce, and Government Operations, Ayes 3, Noes 2
- Oct 26, 2011 · Senate
Available for scheduling
- Nov 1, 2011 · Senate
Placed on calendar 11-2-2011 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
- Nov 2, 2011 · Senate
Read a second time
- Nov 2, 2011 · Senate
Senate substitute amendment 1 offered by Senators Taylor, Hansen, Miller, S. Coggs, C. Larson, Holperin and Carpenter
- Nov 2, 2011 · Senate
Senate substitute amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 17, Noes 15
- Nov 2, 2011 · Senate
Ordered to a third reading
- Nov 3, 2011 · Senate
Read a third time
- Nov 3, 2011 · Senate
Passed, Ayes 17, Noes 16
- Nov 3, 2011 · Senate
Ordered immediately messaged
- Nov 3, 2011 · Assembly
Received from Senate
- Nov 3, 2011 · Assembly
Read
- Nov 3, 2011 · Assembly
Refused to suspend the rules, Ayes 55, Noes 37
- Feb 14, 2012 · Assembly
Read first time and referred to committee on Rules
- Feb 14, 2012 · Assembly
Placed on calendar 2-16-2012 by committee on Rules
- Feb 16, 2012 · Assembly
Read a second time
- Feb 16, 2012 · Assembly
Ordered to a third reading
- Feb 16, 2012 · Assembly
Refused to suspend rules to read a third time, Ayes 58, Noes 37
- Feb 21, 2012 · Assembly
Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 60, Noes 35
- Feb 21, 2012 · Assembly
Ordered immediately messaged
- Feb 22, 2012 · Senate
Received from Assembly concurred in
- Mar 1, 2012 · Senate
Report correctly enrolled on 3-1-2012
- Mar 29, 2012 · Senate
Presented to the Governor on 3-29-2012
- Apr 6, 2012 · Senate
Report approved by the Governor on 4-5-2012. 2011 Wisconsin Act 219
- Apr 10, 2012 · Senate
Published 4-19-2012
Terms on this page
Wisconsin Act
The number a bill gets when it becomes law, like 2025 Wisconsin Act 12.
Official term: Act. More in the glossary
Legislative Reference Bureau
The Legislature's nonpartisan office that drafts bills and writes the summary at the top of each one.
Official term: LRB analysis. More in the glossary
Author
A lawmaker who formally puts a bill forward. The text itself is drafted by the Legislative Reference Bureau.
Official term: Author, coauthor. More in the glossary
Signed on in support
Lawmakers who back a bill without being one of its authors, often from the other chamber.
Official term: Cosponsor. More in the glossary
Cost estimate
A state agency's estimate of what a bill would cost or save.
Official term: Fiscal estimate. More in the glossary
Roll call
A vote where each lawmaker's yes or no is recorded by name.
Official term: Roll call vote. More in the glossary
From the Wisconsin Legislature's official record, checked Sep 15, 2026. See the source
Wisconsin Act
The number a bill gets when it becomes law, like 2025 Wisconsin Act 12.
Official term: Act
Legislative Reference Bureau
The Legislature's nonpartisan office that drafts bills and writes the summary at the top of each one.
Official term: LRB analysis
Signed on in support
Lawmakers who back a bill without being one of its authors, often from the other chamber.
Official term: Cosponsor
Cost estimate
A state agency's estimate of what a bill would cost or save.
Official term: Fiscal estimate
Roll call
A vote where each lawmaker's yes or no is recorded by name.
Official term: Roll call vote