Public protective services hearing protection assistance, the official text

2025 - 2026 LEGISLATURE
LRB-3344/1
EVM:cdc

2025 SENATE BILL 283
May 29, 2025 - Introduced by Senators James and Testin, cosponsored by Representatives B. Jacobson and Spiros. Referred to Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety.

An Act to create 85.65 of the statutes; relating to: public protective services hearing protection assistance.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill requires the Department of Transportation to establish and administer a public protective services hearing protection program. Under the program, DOT obtains from a manufacturer of the product hearing protection devices and then provides those devices to law enforcement and fire protective agencies. The bill specifies that the devices must be commercially available, designed to be used multiple times, designed to be inserted completely within the ear canal, have a minimum noise reduction rating of 25 decibels, and a maximum output of 80 decibels.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. 85.65 of the statutes is created to read:
85.65 Public protective services hearing protection assistance. (1)
The department shall establish and administer a public protective services hearing protection program. Under the program, the department shall do all of the following:
(a) Obtain from a manufacturer of the product hearing protection devices that satisfy sub. (2).
(b) Upon request, provide devices obtained under par. (a) to law enforcement and fire protective agencies in this state in the number requested by the agency.
(2) Devices under sub. (1) (a) shall be commercially available hearing protection devices that satisfy all of the following:
(a) The device is designed to be used multiple times.
(b) The device is designed to be inserted completely within the ear canal.
(c) The device has a minimum noise reduction rating of 25 decibels.
(d) The device has a maximum output of 80 decibels.
(3) A law enforcement or fire protective agency may request any number of devices under sub. (1) (b) that the agency determines are necessary for the agency’s use.
(end)