3:45 P.M.
Ninety-Ninth Regular Session
The Senate met.
The Senate was called to order by Chief Clerk Marchant, pursuant to Senate Rule
5 (4)(b).
The Chair, with unanimous consent, asked that the proper entries be made in the journal.
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Senate amendment 1 to Senate Bill 105 offered by Senator Lassa.
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The Chief Clerk records:
Senate Bill
4
Presented to the Governor on 3-26-2009.
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Read first time and referred:
Senate Bill 135
Relating to: requiring instruction in public schools on the history of organized labor in America and the collective bargaining process.
By
Senators
Hansen, Wirch, Lehman, Decker, Taylor, Erpenbach, Kreitlow and Plale; cosponsored by Representatives Jorgensen, Zepnick, Sinicki, Danou, Toles, Berceau, Grigsby, Smith, Hilgenberg, Spanbauer, Black, Barca, Seidel, Sherman, Pocan, Nelson, Sheridan and Parisi.
To committee on Education.
Senate Bill 136
Relating to: the requirement to build and maintain partition fences.
By
Senators
Holperin, Lehman, Cowles, Plale and Olsen; cosponsored by Representatives Mursau and Clark.
To committee on Agriculture and Higher Education.
Senate Bill 137
Relating to: the definitions of motor bicycle and moped.
By
Senators
Harsdorf, Holperin, Schultz, Taylor and A. Lasee; cosponsored by Representatives Sherman, Berceau, Ballweg, A. Ott and Townsend.
To committee on Transportation, Tourism, Forestry, and Natural Resources.
Senate Bill 138
Relating to: creating an income and franchise tax credit for motor vehicles that use gasoline and ethanol mixtures as fuel and for fuel efficient hybrid motor vehicles.
By
Senators
Harsdorf, Kreitlow, Sullivan, Schultz, Taylor and Erpenbach; cosponsored by Representatives Richards, Petrowski, Wood, Ballweg, Spanbauer and Ripp.
To committee on Health, Health Insurance, Privacy, Property Tax Relief, and Revenue.
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The committee on Agriculture and Higher Education reports and recommends:
Davis
, Danae,
of Milwaukee, as a member of the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2011.
Confirmation.
Ayes, 5 - Senators
Vinehout, Kreitlow, Plale, Harsdorf and Kapanke.
Noes, 0 - None.
Drew
, John,
of Milwaukee, as a member of the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2014.
Confirmation.
Ayes, 5 - Senators
Vinehout, Kreitlow, Plale, Harsdorf and Kapanke.
Noes, 0 - None.
Falbo
, Michael,
of Franklin, as a member of the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2015.
Confirmation.
Ayes, 5 - Senators
Vinehout, Kreitlow, Plale, Harsdorf and Kapanke.
Noes, 0 - None.
Opgenorth, Kevin,
of Platteville, as a member of the Board of Regents, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2010.
Confirmation.
Ayes, 5 - Senators
Vinehout, Kreitlow, Plale, Harsdorf and Kapanke.
Noes, 0 - None.
Walsh
, David,
of Madison, as a member of the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2015.
Confirmation.
Ayes, 5 - Senators
Vinehout, Kreitlow, Plale, Harsdorf and Kapanke.
Womack
, Betty,
of Milwaukee, as a member of the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2014.
Confirmation.
Ayes, 5 - Senators
Vinehout, Kreitlow, Plale, Harsdorf and Kapanke.
Noes, 0 - None.
Kathleen Vinehout
Chairperson
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
March 25, 2009
The Honorable, The Legislature:
We have completed an evaluation of mental health care services in adult correctional facilities, as requested by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. In fiscal year (FY) 2007-08, expenditures for inmate mental health care totaled approximately $59.8 million. In June 2008, 6,957 inmates, or 31.0 percent of all inmates incarcerated in adult correctional facilities, were identified as mentally ill, including 299 inmates at the Wisconsin Resource Center operated by the Department of Health Services (DHS). For the two-year period from June 2006 through June 2008, the inmate population increased by 3.9 percent but the number of mentally ill inmates increased by 14.3 percent.
In FY 2007-08, the Department of Corrections (DOC) had 127.35 authorized full-time equivalent positions to provide mental health services, including psychologists, crisis intervention workers, and other mental health staff. A range of mental health services and programs is provided. Psychotropic medications are prescribed by psychiatrists, who are typically limited-term employees. Because most medications are delivered by correctional officers rather than health services staff, we include a recommendation that DOC ensure all officers receive appropriate training in medication delivery.
Mentally ill inmates have a disproportionate effect on safety and discipline in adult correctional facilities. For example, during our review period they accounted for more than 90.0 percent of self-harm incidents, 80.0 percent of inmate suicides, and nearly 80.0 percent of assaults on staff. Mentally ill inmates are also overrepresented in segregation. We include recommendations for better information and training to improve safety for both inmates and staff.
DOC has taken steps to improve inmate mental health care in recent years, including at Taycheedah Correctional Institution, where a 2008 settlement agreement with the federal Department of Justice sets specific benchmarks for improving mental health care services. Setting priorities for future improvements will be important as the State seeks to improve the provision of inmate mental health services at a time of significant budget constraints.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by DOC and DHS staff. Responses from both agencies follow our report.
Sincerely,
janice mueller
State Auditor
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By Patrick E. Fuller, chief clerk.
Mr. President:
I am directed to inform you that the Assembly has passed and asks concurrence in:
Assembly Bill 43
Adopted and asks concurrence in:
Assembly Joint Resolution
28
Assembly Joint Resolution
34
Assembly Joint Resolution
35
Amended and concurred in as amended:
