State lawmakers introduced a new bill on Wednesday that would prohibit employers from discriminating against the unemployed when hiring.
The bill would amend the state’s Fair Employment law, adding employment status as a protected class when it comes to hiring.
State Rep. Mandela Barnes, D-Milwaukee, sponsored the bill. He said the legislation addresses what he calls a “pressing issue” across the state.
News with a little more humanity
WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” newsletter keeps you connected to the state you love without feeling overwhelmed. No paywall. No agenda. No corporate filter.
“The people who need the jobs the most often are not able to get those jobs. Why? Because they don’t have a job,” Barnes said. “It doesn’t make sense.”
State Sen. Dave Hansen, D-Green Bay, is also sponsoring the bill, and said discrimination is a real problem. An example, he said, are job advertisements that specifically seek people who are currently employed or recently unemployed.
Hansen said people shouldn’t have a door closed on them because of long-term unemployment.
“In this case, this bill removes the obstacle of prejudice — absolute prejudice! — and discrimination that is preventing many people from even being considered for a job, much less getting it because they have been unemployed,” he said. “It is totally not fair and we must fix it. This bill will fix it.”
Hansen said California, Connecticut, Missouri, Maryland and New York are considering similar legislation. New Jersey and Oregon have already passed laws prohibiting advertisements that discriminate against unemployed people.
Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2026, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.
