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Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Sen. Feyen authors Wisconsin Senate bill on newborn disorder screenings

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Dan Feyen, Wisconsin State Senator for 20th District | Official website

Dan Feyen, Wisconsin State Senator for 20th District | Official website

The new bill authored by Sen. Feyen seeks to establish a process for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to evaluate and update newborn screening requirements according to federal recommendations, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "the procedure for adding federal newborn screening recommendations to the state-required newborn screenings, granting rule-making authority, and providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures. (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 the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) to evaluate disorders listed in the federal Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP) as of Jan. 1, 2025, to decide on their inclusion in state-required newborn screenings. Disorders already included by that date are exempt from reevaluation. For newly added RUSP disorders post-2025, DHS has 18 months to assess their inclusion and start rule-making if deemed necessary. If a disorder is not added, DHS must annually review medical literature and resource capacity to reconsider. If evaluations suggest inclusion, rule-making for that disorder begins, with testing implementation required within six months of rule publication. DHS can use emergency rules without standard justification, ensuring quick action if needed.

The bill was co-authored by Representative Barbara Dittrich (Republican-99th District), Senator Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (Democrat-18th District), Senator Jesse L. James (Republican-23rd District), Senator LaTonya Johnson (Democrat-6th District), Senator Melissa Ratcliff (Democrat-16th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Deb Andraca (Democrat-23rd District), Representative Cindi Duchow (Republican-97th District), and Representative Daniel Knodl (Republican-24th District), along eight other co-sponsors.

Dan Feyen has authored or co-authored another 40 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

Feyen graduated from Fox Valley Technical College in 1988.

Feyen, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2025 to represent the state's 20th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Duey Stroebel.

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 Dan Feyen in Wisconsin Senate During 2025 Regular Session

Bill NumberDate IntroducedShort Description
SB14503/21/2025The procedure for adding federal newborn screening recommendations to the state-required newborn screenings, granting rule-making authority, and providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures. (FE)
SB13003/14/2025The distribution of certain material on the Internet
SB12503/14/2025A nuclear power siting study and time limits for taking final action on certain certificate of public convenience and necessity applications. (FE)
SB12403/14/2025Creating a board to organize, promote, and host a Wisconsin nuclear power summit. (FE)
SB12203/07/2025Limitations on the total value of taxable property that may be included in a tax incremental financing district created in the city of Port Washington. (FE)
SB11803/07/2025A tax credit for relocating to this state due to Hurricane Helene or the Los Angeles wildfires. (FE)
SB10003/07/2025The requirement that first class cities and first class city school districts place school resource officers in schools. (FE)
SB9503/07/2025Restitution orders following a conviction for human trafficking and restoration of the right to vote to a person barred from voting as a result of a felony conviction. (FE)
SB9403/07/2025Civil action for injury or damages resulting from riot or vandalism, participation in a riot, prohibiting certain limitations or restrictions on law enforcement responses to riot or vandalism activity, and providing a penalty
SB9003/07/2025The sales and use tax exemption for electricity and natural gas sold for residential use. (FE)
SB6902/26/2025An income tax subtraction for certain expenses paid by a school teacher. (FE)
SB6602/21/2025Registration plate concealment devices and providing a penalty
SB6202/21/2025Financing the operating costs and certain out-of-state projects of nonprofit institutions and compensation of employees of the Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority. (FE)
SB5502/21/2025Prohibiting the Department of Justice from using the legal services of nongovernmental employees. (FE)
SB4002/12/2025Flags flown, hung, or displayed from a flagpole or the exterior of state and local buildings and eliminating a related administrative rule
SB2902/12/2025Requiring school boards to adopt policies to prohibit the use of wireless communication devices during instructional time
SB2802/12/2025An incumbent transmission facility owner’s right to construct, own, and maintain certain transmission facilities and Public Service Commission procedures if the transmission facility is a regionally cost-shared transmission line
SB2602/05/2025Technical colleges’ lease of their facilities to others. (FE)

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