In what professionals are considering an expedited legislative process, the Wisconsin State Assembly has given its approval to Assembly Bill 466, popularly referred to as the Wisconsin Data Privacy Act (WDPA), on November 14, 2023. Adding to the state’s swift actions, the bill was forwarded to the Wisconsin State Senate immediately after making its passage through the third reading.
The imminent adoption of WDPA will further consolidate Wisconsin’s position amongst other states that have already implemented comprehensive consumer privacy laws. So far, familiar exemplars of such legislation can be witnessed in states such as Virginia, Colorado, and Connecticut.
The WDPA outlines stringent regulations that serve to protect the rights of consumers online. As a result, corporations in Wisconsin and beyond are recommended to familiarize themselves with these impending legal changes. Exploring the specifics of similar privacy laws extant in Virginia, Colorado, and Connecticut might, therefore, prove beneficial for legal professionals working within those jurisdictions.
For Wisconsin itself, the WDPA’s enactment will introduce much-needed stipulations that ensure the protection of data and the privacy of all online consumers. The law is scheduled to come into effect as of January 1, 2025, if it is receices the Senate’s approval and subsequently signed by the governor.
For a more comprehensive understanding of the WDPA, legal practitioners and corporate entities may refer to the bill as provided by Foley & Lardner LLP.