Senate Bill 959
Requirements for the use of a memory care designation by community-based residential facilities. (FE)
Stopped before the full Senate voted
The recommended passing it, but the full Senate never voted on it. The last day for votes this session was Mar 19, 2026. To try again, a lawmaker would have to start a new bill.
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Introduced, passed
Feb 6, 2026
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Committee, passed
Approved
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Senate vote, stopped here
Stopped here. The full Senate never voted on it.
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Assembly vote, not reached
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Governor, not reached
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Law, not reached
Latest entry in the official record, Apr 7, 2026: “Fiscal estimate received”
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The same bill was also filed in the Assembly as AB 984. That version died when the session ended.
Terms on this page
Committee
A small group of lawmakers that looks at a bill first. Most bills never leave committee.
Senate Joint Resolution 1
The session's calendar. Any bill not passed by its last voting day dies.
Official term: Failed to pass pursuant to SJR 1. 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 would have done
Summary by the , the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.
This bill provides that, beginning on July 1, 2027, a community-based residential facility (CBRF) may use the designation of “memory care” in its name, advertising, or communications only if the CBRF serves the client group for individuals with irreversible dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, and ensures that, as part of both the initial training and the annual continuing education required for CBRF administrators and resident care staff, the administrator and resident care staff receive training that includes 1) an introduction to dementia, including understanding Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and including causes, progression, symptoms, and the impact on individuals and caregivers; 2) person-centered dementia care; 3) effective communication; 4) behavioral interventions and alternatives to medication; and 5) supporting independence and quality of life, including encouraging dignity, autonomy, and meaningful engagement in daily activities.
The bill specifies that a CBRF providing memory care services before July 1, 2027, and intending to continue services using a memory care designation on or after July 1, 2027, must be in full compliance with the requirements of the bill to continue operations using a memory care designation.
Who's behind it
Romaine Quinn, a Republican, is its .
10 more lawmakers .
See all 11 names Hide the names
Author (1)
- Romaine Quinn · Republican, Senate
Signed on in support (10)
- Dave Armstrong · Republican, Assembly
- Barbara Dittrich · Republican, Assembly
- Bob Donovan · Republican, Assembly
- Dora Drake · Democrat, Senate
- Dean Kaufert · Republican, Assembly
- Tony Kurtz · Republican, Assembly
- Dave Maxey · Republican, Assembly
- Amanda Nedweski · Republican, Assembly
- Shelia Stubbs · Democrat, Assembly
- Rob Swearingen · Republican, Assembly
What it would cost
State agencies filed a . Each opens as a PDF from the Legislature.
How lawmakers voted
There was one vote on this bill.
Senate Committee on Health vote to recommend it
Passed, 5 to 0 · Feb 17, 2026
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 Health, Ayes 5, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page
What happened
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Apr 7, 2026
A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.
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Mar 23, 2026
The session ended, and the bill died with it.
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Mar 16, 2026
A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.
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Feb 17, 2026
The committee voted to recommend passing it, 5 to 0.
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Feb 17, 2026
1 more senator signed on in support.
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Feb 12, 2026
The committee held a public hearing.
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Feb 6, 2026
Sent to the Senate Committee on Health.
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Feb 6, 2026
Introduced in the Senate.
See the official record, word for word Hide the official record
- Feb 6, 2026 · Senate
Introduced by Senator Quinn; cosponsored by Representatives Armstrong, Dittrich, Kaufert, Maxey, Nedweski, Stubbs, Swearingen, Donovan and Kurtz
- Feb 6, 2026 · Senate
Read first time and referred to Committee on Health
- Feb 12, 2026 · Senate
Public hearing held
- Feb 17, 2026 · Senate
Senator Drake added as a coauthor
- Feb 17, 2026 · Senate
Executive action taken
- Feb 17, 2026 · Senate
Report passage recommended by Committee on Health, Ayes 5, Noes 0
- Feb 17, 2026 · Senate
Available for scheduling
- Mar 16, 2026 · Senate
Fiscal estimate received
- Mar 23, 2026 · Senate
Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
- Apr 7, 2026 · Senate
Fiscal estimate received
Terms on this page
Committee
A small group of lawmakers that looks at a bill first. Most bills never leave committee.
Senate Joint Resolution 1
The session's calendar. Any bill not passed by its last voting day dies.
Official term: Failed to pass pursuant to SJR 1. 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
Committee
A small group of lawmakers that looks at a bill first. Most bills never leave committee.
Senate Joint Resolution 1
The session's calendar. Any bill not passed by its last voting day dies.
Official term: Failed to pass pursuant to SJR 1
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