Bills · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Relating to: calculation of miles for purposes of relocation of a child 100 miles or more from the other parent in an action affecting the family.
- Introduced, completed
- Passes Assembly, completed
- Passes Senate, completed
- Governor signs, completed
- Law, completed
Unfamiliar terms? Glossary
What this bill does
Plain-language analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau
Under current law, a parent granted periods of physical placement with a child in an action affecting the family must obtain a court order if the parent intends to relocate and reside with the child 100 miles or more from the other parent if the other parent also has court-ordered periods of physical placement with the child. Also under current law, during the pendency of an action affecting the family, parties are generally prohibited from relocating and establishing a residence with a minor child of the parties that is more than 100 miles from the residence of the other party, if the party does not have consent of the other party or an order of the court. The requirement to obtain a court order allowing relocation does not apply if the parents already live more than 100 miles apart when a parent proposes to relocate and reside with the child, but in that situation, the parent who intends to relocate with the child must serve written notice of the intent to relocate on the other parent at least 60 days before relocation.
This bill adds an express requirement that the 100-mile distance for purposes of these provisions must be calculated as “driving miles,” defined in the bill to mean the actual distance traveling by road required to get from one location to another rather than the straight-line distance between those locations.
Sponsors
Registered lobbying interests · 1
Organizations that registered lobbying activity on this bill with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission. Registration means interest, not a position for or against. Official record
Votes
Assembly: Report passage recommended by Committee on Children and Families, Ayes 9, Noes 0
Passed 9–0 Jun 6, 2025 official source full pageNo individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Senate: Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention, Children and Families, Ayes 5, Noes 0
Passed 5–0 Oct 10, 2025 official source full pageNo individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Full history
- Mar 11, 2025 · Assembly
Introduced by Representatives Goeben, Knodl, Wichgers, Brooks, Armstrong and Mursau; cosponsored by Senator Jacque
- Mar 11, 2025 · Assembly
Read first time and referred to Committee on Children and Families
- May 21, 2025 · Assembly
Public hearing held
- May 22, 2025 · Assembly
Representative Penterman added as a coauthor
- Jun 4, 2025 · Assembly
Executive action taken
- Jun 6, 2025 · Assembly
Report passage recommended by Committee on Children and Families, Ayes 9, Noes 0
- Jun 6, 2025 · Assembly
Referred to committee on Rules
- Jun 20, 2025 · Assembly
Withdrawn from Committee on Rules and referred to calendar of 6-24-2025
- Jun 24, 2025 · Assembly
Ordered to a third reading
- Jun 24, 2025 · Assembly
Rules suspended
- Jun 24, 2025 · Assembly
Read a third time and passed
- Jun 24, 2025 · Assembly
Ordered immediately messaged
- Jun 24, 2025 · Senate
Received from Assembly
- Jun 24, 2025 · Assembly
Representative O'Connor added as a coauthor
- Jun 24, 2025 · Assembly
Read a second time
- Jun 27, 2025 · Senate
Read first time and referred to committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention, Children and Families
- Sep 4, 2025 · Senate
Public hearing held
- Oct 2, 2025 · Senate
Executive action taken
- Oct 10, 2025 · Senate
Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention, Children and Families, Ayes 5, Noes 0
- Oct 10, 2025 · Senate
Available for scheduling
- Oct 13, 2025 · Senate
Placed on calendar 10-14-2025 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
- Oct 14, 2025 · Senate
Read a second time
- Oct 14, 2025 · Senate
Ordered to a third reading
- Oct 14, 2025 · Senate
Rules suspended to give bill its third reading
- Oct 14, 2025 · Senate
Read a third time and concurred in
- Oct 14, 2025 · Senate
Ordered immediately messaged
- Oct 14, 2025 · Assembly
Received from Senate concurred in
- Oct 15, 2025 · Assembly
Report correctly enrolled on 10-15-2025
- Dec 4, 2025 · Assembly
Presented to the Governor on 12-4-2025
- Dec 10, 2025 · Assembly
Report approved by the Governor on 12-9-2025. 2025 Wisconsin Act 81
- Dec 10, 2025 · Assembly
Published 12-10-2025