Joel Kitchens, Wisconsin State Representative for 1st District | www.facebook.com
Joel Kitchens, Wisconsin State Representative for 1st District | www.facebook.com
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "permitting pharmacists to prescribe certain contraceptives, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. (FE)".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill allows pharmacists in Wisconsin to prescribe and dispense hormonal contraceptive patches and self-administered oral hormonal contraceptives to individuals aged 18 and older. The Pharmacy Examining Board, in consultation with various health boards, will set regulations for this practice, including a self-assessment questionnaire and blood pressure screening. The contraceptives must be dispensed quickly after the prescription. Pharmacists must inform the patient's primary care provider and are required to maintain malpractice insurance. Additionally, the Department of Health Services is to ensure coverage under the Medical Assistance program for these contraceptives when prescribed by pharmacists. Emergency rules linked to this act remain active until permanent rules are established or until May 1, 2027, whichever comes first. The bill is effective from January 1, 2026.
The bill was co-authored by Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara (Republican-19th District), Representative Tyler August (Republican-31st District), Representative Mike Bare (Democrat-80th District), Representative Jill Billings (Democrat-95th District), Representative Ryan M. Clancy (Democrat-19th District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Jodi Habush Sinykin (Democrat-8th District), Senator Jesse L. James (Republican-23rd District), and Senator Howard L. Marklein (Republican-17th District), along 37 other co-sponsors.
Joel Kitchens has authored or co-authored another six bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Kitches graduated from Ohio State University in 1979 with a BS.
Kitchens, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2015 to represent the state's 1st Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Garey Bies.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| AB43 | 02/17/2025 | Permitting pharmacists to prescribe certain contraceptives, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. (FE) |
| AB2 | 02/03/2025 | Requiring school boards to adopt policies to prohibit the use of wireless communication devices during instructional time |
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