News

Actions

Walker calls special legislative session on opioid bills

Posted at 10:28 AM, Jan 05, 2017
and last updated 2017-01-05 19:34:50-05
 
Gov. Scott Walker has called a special legislative session to pass a package of bills designed to curb heroin and opioid abuse.
 
Walker announced the call on Thursday. He said in a news release he wants lawmakers to take up bills that would grant legal immunity to people following an overdose; call on the University of Wisconsin System starting a recovery school; allocating money for the rural hospital graduate medical training program, more state drug agents and a consultation service to connect medical professionals with addiction medicine specialists.
 
The Legislature is already in session but a special session order allows lawmakers to operate under different rules that make passing bills easier. The governor also typically uses a special session call to draw attention to issues.