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Thursday, October 2, 2025

Rep. Phelps authors bill in Wisconsin Assembly to ban gender identity discrimination

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Christian Phelps, Wisconsin State Representative for 93rd District | https://www.facebook.com

Christian Phelps, Wisconsin State Representative for 93rd District | https://www.facebook.com

A bill authored by State Rep. Christian Phelps in the Wisconsin Assembly seeks to ensure fair treatment regardless of gender identity or expression in employment, housing, education, and other areas, according to the Wisconsin State Assembly.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, insurance coverage, national guard, jury duty, and adoption and in the receipt of mental health or vocational rehabilitation services".

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

In essence, this bill aims to prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression across various domains in Wisconsin, including employment, housing, public accommodations, education, insurance, the National Guard, jury duty, and adoption processes. It defines gender identity and gender expression, extends existing anti-discrimination laws, and makes specific changes to statutes in these areas. Employers, educational institutions, insurers, and others are required to treat individuals equitably, aligning facilities and services with individuals' gender identity. The bill mandates state departments to monitor and remediate discrimination and ensures equal investment practices, benefits, and legal protections across markets and services, reinforcing the commitment to inclusive and fair treatment regardless of gender identity or expression.

The bill was co-authored by Senator Mark Spreitzer (Democrat-15th District), Representative Clinton M. Anderson (Democrat-45th District), Representative Margaret Arney (Democrat-18th District), Representative Mike Bare (Democrat-80th District), and Representative Jill Billings (Democrat-95th District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Tim Carpenter (Democrat-3rd District), Senator Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (Democrat-18th District), and Senator Dora E. Drake (Democrat-4th District), along with 30 other co-sponsors.

Christian Phelps has co-authored or authored another 18 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

Phelps graduated from Vassar College in 2016 with an AB.

Phelps, a Democrat, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2025 to represent the state's 93rd Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Warren Petryk.

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 Christian Phelps in Wisconsin Assembly During 2025 Regular Session

Bill NumberDate IntroducedShort Description
AB22004/23/2025Discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, insurance coverage, national guard, jury duty, and adoption and in the receipt of mental health or vocational rehabilitation services
AB15003/17/2025Requiring the legislature to convene an extraordinary session if an executive order of the president of the United States freezes federal aid to the state

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