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Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Rep. VanderMeer authors bill in Wisconsin Assembly to join social work licensure compact

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Nancy VanderMeer, Wisconsin State Representative for 70th District | Official Website

Nancy VanderMeer, Wisconsin State Representative for 70th District | Official Website

The new bill authored by State Rep. Nancy VanderMeer in the Wisconsin Assembly seeks to enable licensed social workers to practice across member states through a multistate licensure compact, according to the Wisconsin State Assembly.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "ratification of the Social Work Licensure Compact. (FE)".

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

In essence, this bill ratifies Wisconsin's entry into the Social Work Licensure Compact, allowing licensed social workers to obtain a multistate license for practice in member states, effective upon enactment. It establishes the Social Work Licensure Compact Commission to oversee implementation and enforce compliance, with powers to establish rules, hire staff, and manage finances. The compact standardizes requirements for social workers to ensure consistent practice and enables disciplinary actions across states. It supports workforce mobility, particularly benefiting military families, by reducing the need for multiple state licenses. The bill mandates a coordinated data system for tracking licensure and disciplinary actions and allows for the issuance of subpoenas across states. Member states must submit a uniform data set to this system, ensuring comprehensive information sharing and oversight. The commission may amend the compact or take action against states failing to comply.

The bill was co-authored by Senator Rob Stafsholt (Republican-10th District), Representative Clinton M. Anderson (Democrat-45th District), Representative Mike Bare (Democrat-80th District), Representative Jill Billings (Democrat-95th District), Representative Barbara Dittrich (Republican-99th District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara (Republican-19th District), Senator Tim Carpenter (Democrat-3rd District), and Senator Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (Democrat-18th District), along 38 other co-sponsors.

Nancy VanderMeer has authored one other bill since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

VanderMeer graduated from the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse in 1988 with a BS.

VanderMeer, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2015 to represent the state's 70th Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Amy Sue Vruwink.

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 Nancy VanderMeer in Wisconsin Assembly During 2025 Regular Session

Bill NumberDate IntroducedShort Description
AB8002/28/2025Ratification of the Social Work Licensure Compact. (FE)

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