In the May 2007 installment of In the News, we reported that both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature had taken up consideration of legislation that would, among other things, provide compensatory and punitive damages to successful complainants under the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act.  See “Wisconsin Legislature Considers Expanding Damages Available under the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act.”  The WFEA does not currently allow compensatory and punitive damages to be awarded against employers for alleged violations of the Act. 

On January 31, 2008, the Wisconsin State Senate passed the proposed legislation (SB 165).  SB 165, along with the Wisconsin State Assembly Bill containing identical legislation (AB 310), is now pending in the Assembly.  It is not expected that the Assembly will take immediate action on the matter.

Keep checking Melli Walker’s In the News for any updates.