Action Alert: Help Remove Barriers to Health Care for Homeless Students
More than 2,100 students across Wisconsin were identified as homeless and living on their own in 2022–23. We know the true number is higher. These young people are often fleeing unsafe homes, abuse, or family crises—and trying to survive without a parent or guardian.
Yet under current law, unaccompanied homeless youth cannot consent to basic medical care. That means a teen living on their own can’t get treatment for strep throat, asthma, or depression without parental permission. Many delay care until it becomes an emergency, leading to poor health, missed school, and worse long-term outcomes.
We can change this Assembly Bill 49 and Senate Bill 70 would allow verified unaccompanied homeless youth ages 14–17 to consent to their own medically necessary care. This is a bipartisan, common-sense fix that mirrors laws in 35 other states (and DC) and has the backing of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Your voice matters. Legislators need to hear directly from social workers about how lack of access to care harms students we work with every day.
👉 Take Action Today
Contact your state senator and representative and urge them to support AB 49 / SB 70.
Find your legislators and their contact information here.