Angelina Cruz, Wisconsin State Representative for 82nd District | Facebook
Angelina Cruz, Wisconsin State Representative for 82nd District | Facebook
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "prohibiting the state from sharing data with the federal government that contains personally identifiable information if the data is not first masked or otherwise anonymized and authorizing a civil cause of action for negligent violations of that prohibition. (FE)".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill seeks to restrict the sharing of data containing personally identifiable information by any state agency, body, legislature, or court in Wisconsin with the federal government unless the data is first anonymized or masked. Exceptions to this prohibition are allowed when compliance with other state or federal laws is necessary, or to facilitate the administration of state or federal programs. Additionally, legislative members may share unmasked data to fulfill constituent relations or other official duties, and courts may do so in the course of their functions. The bill establishes a civil cause of action against individuals who negligently violate these provisions, making them liable for actual damages, exemplary damages up to $1,000, and reasonable attorney fees.
The bill was co-authored by Sen. Dianne H. Hesselbein (Democrat-27th District), Rep. Clinton M. Anderson (Democrat-45th District), Rep. Deb Andraca (Democrat-23rd District), Rep. Margaret Arney (Democrat-18th District), and Rep. Jill Billings (Democrat-95th District). It was co-sponsored by Sen. Tim Carpenter (Democrat-3rd District), Sen. Dora E. Drake (Democrat-4th District), and Sen. Sarah Keyeski (Democrat-14th District), along with 37 other co-sponsors.
Angelina M. Cruz has co-authored or authored another 36 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Cruz graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside in 2003 with a BA.
Cruz, a Democrat, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2025 to represent the state's 62nd Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Robert Wittke.
In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| AB378 | 07/17/2025 | Prohibiting the state from sharing data with the federal government that contains personally identifiable information if the data is not first masked or otherwise anonymized and authorizing a civil cause of action for negligent violations of that prohibition. (FE) |
| AB359 | 07/17/2025 | Prohibiting conversion therapy |
| AB352 | 07/08/2025 | Limiting the release of certain balloons into the atmosphere, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty |
| AB150 | 03/17/2025 | Requiring the legislature to convene an extraordinary session if an executive order of the president of the United States freezes federal aid to the state |
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