Senate
Record of Committee Proceedings
Committee on Health
Senate Bill 578
Relating to: consent to admissions to certain health care facilities by patient representatives without requiring a petition for guardianship or protective placement.
By Senators Wimberger, Cabral-Guevara, Feyen, James and Quinn; cosponsored by Representatives Snyder, Subeck, Dittrich, Donovan, Doyle, Goodwin, Gundrum, Hurd, Johnson, Knodl, Kreibich, Kurtz, McCarville, Melotik, Mursau, Novak, O'Connor, Palmeri, Penterman, Piwowarczyk, Prado, Rivera-Wagner, Rodriguez, Roe, Sheehan, Sinicki, Stroud, Stubbs, Swearingen and Wittke.
October 24, 2025 Referred to Committee on Health
November 05, 2025 Public Hearing Held
Present: (4) Senator Cabral-Guevara; Senators Testin, James and Drake.
Absent: (0) None.
Excused: (1) Senator Smith.
Appearances For
· Sarah Becker - Aurora Health Care
· VP Federal Affairs and Advocacy Jon Hoelter - Wisconsin Hospital Association
· Senator Eric Wimberger - 2nd Senate District
· Dr Collin Bowman MD - Emplify Health
· Manager acute care coordination Mikella Schulz - Aspirus Health
· Supportive ctizen Paul David
· State Representative Patrick Snyder - 85th Assembly District
Appearances Against
· Janet Zander - Greater Wis Agency on Aging Resources
· Lisa Hassenstab - Disability Rights Wisconsin
· Jessica Liebau - Elder Law and Special Needs Board State Bar of Wisconsin
Appearances for Information Only
· None.
Registrations For
· Tim Hoven - Froedtert Health
· Connie Schulze - UW Health
· Alex Ignatowski - SSM Health
· Ryan Natzke - Marshfield Clinic
· Erin Runk
· Peter Kammer - Mayo Clinic Health System
· Alec Knutson - Ascension Wisconsin
· Jeremy Levin - Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative
Registrations Against
· Beth Swedeen - WI Board for People with Developmental Disabilities
· Beth Swedeen - Survival Coalition of Disability Organizations
· Cindy Bentley - People First Wisconsin
· Jason Glozier - Wisconsin Coalition of Independent Living Centers
· Patti Becker - InControl Wisconsin
· Jessica Trudeau - Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long Term Care
· Chelsea Shanks - WI Counties Association
Registrations for Information Only
· None.
November 11, 2025 Executive Session Held by Paper Ballot
Present: (5) Senator Cabral-Guevara; Senators Testin, James, Smith and Drake.
Absent: (0) None.
Excused: (0) None.
Moved that Senate Bill 578 be recommended for passage.
Ayes: (4) Senator Cabral-Guevara; Senators Testin, James and Smith.
Noes: (1) Senator Drake.
PASSAGE RECOMMENDED, Ayes 4, Noes 1
______________________________
Michael Moscicke
Committee Clerk
