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Bill > SB745


WI SB745

WI SB745
Eligibility to receive occupational credentials for recipients of deferred action under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. (FE)


summary

Introduced
12/12/2025
In Committee
12/12/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

Potential new amendment
2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Currently, federal law prohibits all but certain noncitizens from receiving any “state or local public benefit,” which is defined to include any “professional license, or commercial license provided by an agency of a state or local government.” However, federal law allows states to explicitly allow eligibility for certain public benefits. This bill allows certain individuals who are not U.S. citizens to receive credentials to practice certain occupations in this state if he or she meets all other requirements for the credential. Under the bill, an eligible individual is an individual to whom all of the following apply: 1) the individual has been granted deferred action under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; 2) the individual’s deferred action is not expired; and 3) the individual possesses an unexpired employment authorization document issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Any credential issued to an individual under the bill is only valid for the period of time during which the individual’s employment authorization document is valid. LRB-5503/1 JPC:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 745 For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

AI Summary

This bill creates a new statute that allows individuals who are not U.S. citizens to receive occupational authorizations (such as licenses, certificates, permits, or approvals) if they meet specific criteria related to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. To be eligible, an individual must have been granted deferred action under the DACA program, have a current and unexpired DACA status, and possess a valid employment authorization document from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The bill requires issuing authorities to verify employment authorization through a systematic alien verification program before granting an occupational authorization, and specifies that any credential issued will only be valid for the duration of the individual's employment authorization. If an individual's employment authorization is withdrawn, they must immediately cease practicing in their authorized occupation and notify the relevant authority. The bill also allows issuing authorities to adjust fees to cover the cost of verifying numeric identifiers, and explicitly states that this provision does not grant eligibility for other public benefits. Importantly, the bill does not change any non-citizenship-related requirements for obtaining an occupational authorization, ensuring that all other professional standards and qualifications remain in place.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry

Sponsors (28)

Last Action

Senator Ratcliff added as a coauthor (on 02/23/2026)

bill text


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