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Bill > AB378
WI AB378
WI AB378Prohibiting the state from sharing data with the federal government that contains personally identifiable information if the data is not first masked or otherwise anonymized and authorizing a civil cause of action for negligent violations of that prohibition. (FE)
summary
Introduced
07/17/2025
07/17/2025
In Committee
07/17/2025
07/17/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Under this bill, except as specified below, no state agency or other body in Wisconsin state government, including the legislature and the courts, may share with the federal government data containing personally identifiable information unless the data is first masked or otherwise anonymized. Under the bill, any person who negligently violates that prohibition is liable to any person injured as a result of the violation for actual damages to that person, exemplary damages of not more than $1,000, and costs and reasonable actual attorney fees. Notwithstanding the bill[s prohibition, under the bill, a state agency may share unmasked data with federal officials or agencies to the extent necessary to comply with other state law or federal law or to carry out the administration of a state or federal program; a member of the legislature may share unmasked data with federal officials or agencies to the extent necessary to carry out constituent relations or the member[s other official duties; and a court may share unmasked data with federal officials or agencies to the extent necessary to carry out the court[s official duties. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
AI Summary
This bill prohibits state agencies in Wisconsin from sharing data containing personally identifiable information (PII) with federal officials or agencies unless the data is first masked or anonymized, with some important exceptions. Specifically, state agencies can share unmasked data when necessary to comply with state or federal laws, administer state or federal programs, or for legislative and judicial officials to carry out their official duties. The bill defines PII as information that can be used to identify a specific individual and defines a state agency broadly to include various governmental bodies. If a state agency negligently violates this prohibition, they can be held liable in a civil lawsuit, with potential damages including actual damages suffered by the injured party, exemplary damages up to $1,000, and the costs of legal proceedings including reasonable attorney fees. The purpose of this bill appears to be protecting individual privacy by limiting the sharing of sensitive personal information between state and federal agencies without proper safeguards.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (48)
Clint Anderson (D)*,
Deb Andraca (D)*,
Margaret Arney (D)*,
Mike Bare (D)*,
Jill Billings (D)*,
Brienne Brown (D)*,
Ryan Clancy (D)*,
Angelina Cruz (D)*,
Karen DeSanto (D)*,
Ben DeSmidt (D)*,
Jodene Emerson (D)*,
Joan Fitzgerald (D)*,
Russell Goodwin (D)*,
Kalan Haywood (D)*,
Francesca Hong (D)*,
Andrew Hysell (D)*,
Jenna Jacobson (D)*,
Alex Joers (D)*,
Tara Johnson (D)*,
Karen Kirsch (D)*,
Darrin Madison (D)*,
Renuka Mayadev (D)*,
Maureen McCarville (D)*,
Tip McGuire (D)*,
Vincent Miresse (D)*,
Supreme Moore Omokunde (D)*,
Greta Neubauer (D)*,
Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D)*,
Lori Palmeri (D)*,
Christian Phelps (D)*,
Pricilla Prado (D)*,
Amaad Rivera-Wagner (D)*,
Ann Roe (D)*,
Joe Sheehan (D)*,
Christine Sinicki (D)*,
Lee Snodgrass (D)*,
Angela Stroud (D)*,
Shelia Stubbs (D)*,
Lisa Subeck (D)*,
Angelito Tenorio (D)*,
Randy Udell (D)*,
Robyn Vining (D)*,
Tim Carpenter (D),
Dora Drake (D),
Dianne Hesselbein (D),
Sarah Keyeski (D),
Chris Larson (D),
Melissa Ratcliff (D),
Last Action
Fiscal estimate received (on 01/14/2026)
Official Document
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