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Fond Du Lac Times

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Sen. Keyeski authors Wisconsin Senate bill granting immunity to 911 call centers

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Sarah Keyeski, Wisconsin State Senator for 14th District | Facebook

Sarah Keyeski, Wisconsin State Senator for 14th District | Facebook

The new bill authored by State Sen. Sarah Keyeski seeks to protect 911 call centers and dispatchers from legal claims when transferring callers to the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "immunity for 911 call centers and dispatchers that transfer callers to the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline".

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

In essence, this bill establishes civil liability immunity for public safety answering points, commonly referred to as 911 call centers, and dispatchers when they transfer callers to the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The provision ensures these entities are generally protected from legal claims related to outcomes following the transfer, provided their actions do not amount to gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct. This immunity applies specifically to transfers to the national crisis hotline, defined as the phone or text access number 988 or its federally administered successor.

The bill was co-authored by Representative Nancy VanderMeer (Republican-70th District), Senator Howard L. Marklein (Republican-17th District), Senator Romaine Robert Quinn (Republican-25th District), Senator Van H. Wanggaard (Republican-21st District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), Representative Lindee Rae Brill (Republican-27th District), and Representative Barbara Dittrich (Republican-99th District), along nine other co-sponsors.

Sarah Keyeski has authored or co-authored another 44 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

Keyeski graduated from Luther College in 1993 with a BA.

Keyeski, a Democrat, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2021 to represent the state's 14th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Joan Ballweg.

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 Sarah Keyeski in Wisconsin Senate During 2025 Regular Session

Bill NumberDate IntroducedShort Description
SB30906/04/2025Immunity for 911 call centers and dispatchers that transfer callers to the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
SB25105/09/2025Cost-sharing caps on prescription drugs and medical supplies to treat asthma under health insurance policies and plans. (FE)
SB20804/16/2025Prohibiting hedge funds from acquiring single-family homes in this state. (FE)
SB16003/27/2025Designating the Tom Diehl Memorial Highway. (FE)
SB14803/21/2025The right to repair agricultural equipment, and providing a penalty. (FE)
SB13303/14/2025Maximum life and allocation period for Tax Incremental District Number 9 in the village of DeForest and the total value of taxable property that may be included in tax incremental financing districts created in the village of DeForest. (FE)

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