Quantcast

Washington County News

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Rep. Gundrum introduces bill in Wisconsin Assembly to require child abuse reporting signs in schools

Webp z1oxuyb25n511azcxcm8awnwgp6p

Rick Gundrum, Wisconsin State Representative for 58th District | Facebook

Rick Gundrum, Wisconsin State Representative for 58th District | Facebook

The new bill authored by State Rep. Rick Gundrum seeks to ensure schools prominently display contact information for reporting child abuse and neglect, according to the Wisconsin State Assembly.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "posting the child abuse and neglect reporting hotline in school buildings. (FE)".

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill mandates that every school board, independent charter school operator, and governing body of private schools participating in a parental choice program or the Special Needs Scholarship Program in Wisconsin must display a sign in a prominent public area within each school building. The sign should contain the telephone number for the local county or state agency tasked with receiving and investigating child abuse and neglect reports. This measure is intended to ensure that critical contact information is easily accessible in school environments, potentially aiding in the timely reporting and investigation of suspected child abuse or neglect incidents.

The bill was co-authored by Senator André Jacque (Republican-1st District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), Representative Barbara Dittrich (Republican-99th District), Representative Benjamin Franklin (Republican-88th District), Representative Daniel Knodl (Republican-24th District).

Rick Gundrum has co-authored or authored another 94 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

Gundrum graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Washington County with an AS and again from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh with a BS.

Gundrum, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2018 to represent the state's 58th Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Bob Gannon.

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.

Bills Introduced by Rick Gundrum in Wisconsin Assembly During 2025 Regular Session

Bill NumberDate IntroducedShort Description
AB24405/02/2025Posting the child abuse and neglect reporting hotline in school buildings. (FE)
AB23705/02/2025The age at which an infant is covered under the safe haven law
AB21204/23/2025Registration of out-of-state health care providers to provide telehealth services. (FE)
AB20004/15/2025Applying the motor vehicle fuel tax supplier’s administrative allowance to diesel fuel, a motor vehicle fuel tax refund for evaporation losses, and making an appropriation. (FE)
AB15604/02/2025Requiring child sexual abuse prevention education. (FE)
AB13403/13/2025The effective date of certain provisions contained in 2023 Wisconsin Act 126
AB5402/24/2025Utilization management controls for antipsychotic prescription drugs under the Medical Assistance program. (FE)
AB1202/06/2025State agency status for certain physician assistants and advanced practice nurses who provide services without compensation for local health departments or school districts. (FE)

ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS STORY

!RECEIVE ALERTS

The next time we write about any of these orgs, we’ll email you a link to the story. You may edit your settings or unsubscribe at any time.
Sign-up

DONATE

Help support the Metric Media Foundation's mission to restore community based news.
Donate

MORE NEWS