Washington County News

The new bill authored by State Rep. Rick Gundrum seeks to regulate employment qualifications for surgical technologists in Wisconsin healthcare facilities, according to the Wisconsin State Assembly.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "certification of surgical technologists".

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

In essence, this bill prohibits hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers from employing individuals to perform surgical technology services unless they meet certain qualifications. To qualify, individuals must have completed an accredited educational program for surgical technologists and maintain certification from a national certifying body, have military training in surgical technology, or have been employed as a surgical technologist by Dec. 31, 2027. The bill allows hospitals and centers to employ individuals for up to 24 months after completing their educational programs without certification. These entities may impose additional requirements for employment. The bill exempts licensed health care providers performing services within their scope of practice and practices like cardiac radiology, expanded function dental auxiliary under a dentist, and optometry under an optometrist. The act takes effect on Jan. 1, 2028.

The bill was co-authored by Senator Jesse L. James (Republican-23rd District), Representative Tara Johnson (Democrat-96th District), Representative Rob Kreibich (Republican-28th District), Representative David Murphy (Republican-56th District), and Representative Jerry L. O'Connor (Republican-60th District). It was sponsored by Senator Brad Pfaff (Democrat-32nd District) and Senator Mark Spreitzer (Democrat-15th District).

Rick Gundrum has co-authored or authored another 103 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.

Bill Number	Date Introduced	Short Description
AB261	05/19/2025	Certification of surgical technologists
AB255	05/08/2025	Assisted living facility referral agencies and providing a penalty
AB244	05/02/2025	Posting the child abuse and neglect reporting hotline in school buildings. (FE)
AB237	05/02/2025	The age at which an infant is covered under the safe haven law
AB212	04/23/2025	Registration of out-of-state health care providers to provide telehealth services. (FE)
AB200	04/15/2025	Applying 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)
AB156	04/02/2025	Requiring child sexual abuse prevention education. (FE)
AB134	03/13/2025	The effective date of certain provisions contained in 2023 Wisconsin Act 126
AB54	02/24/2025	Utilization management controls for antipsychotic prescription drugs under the Medical Assistance program. (FE)
AB12	02/06/2025	State agency status for certain physician assistants and advanced practice nurses who provide services without compensation for local health departments or school districts. (FE)