Wisconsin Legislative Council
ACT MEMO
One Ea st Ma in Stre e t, Suite 401 • Ma dison, W I 53703 • (608) 266-1304 • le g.council@le gis.wisconsin.gov • http://www.le gis.wisconsin.gov/lc
Prepared by: Amber Otis, Senior Staff Attorney April 5, 2024
2023 Wisconsin Act 218
[2023 Senate Bill 829]
Carrying of Firearms by Tactical
Emergency Services
Professionals
BACKGROUND
State law allows certain licensed emergency medical services (EMS) professionals to obtain a “tactical
emergency medical services” (TEMS) endorsement from the Department of Health Services (DHS). An
EMS professional with a TEMS endorsement is generally affiliated with a DHS-recognized tactical
team, defined as a paramilitary special operations tactical unit typically found in law enforcement or the
military that responds to threats to public safety.
2023 WISCONSIN ACT 218
2023 Wisconsin Act 218 creates exemptions from certain restrictions on the possession of a firearm in
various places for TEMS professionals who have been certified by the Law Enforcement Standards
Board (LESB). Specifically, if the act’s conditions are met, an LESB-certified TEMS professional may,
while acting in the line of duty, lawfully carry a firearm in certain otherwise-prohibited locations, such
as school zones, public buildings, certain wildlife refuges, and places where a posted sign provides
notice not to enter or remain on the premises.
The act defines a TEMS professional as a licensed EMS professional who has been endorsed by DHS as
a person who provides medical services when operating as part of a law enforcement tactical team and
operating with the prior written approval of the sheriff or chief of police for the jurisdiction in which the
licensed EMS professional is authorized to carry out his or her duties.
The act authorizes the LESB to regulate the certification, decertification, and training of TEMS
professionals, similar to the state law authority granted to the LESB to regulate law enforcement
professionals. The act grants rulemaking authority to the LESB and directs the LESB to establish
minimum training standards for TEMS professionals based on recommendations by the curriculum
advisory committee that exists under state law.
To become certified by the LESB, a TEMS professional must satisfactorily complete the minimum
training standards established by the LESB, be certified by LESB as being qualified to be a TEMS
professional, and obtain prior written approval of the sheriff or chief of police who has authority and
responsibility over the team on which he or she is approving the TEMS professional to go armed with a
firearm.
Additionally, for a TEMS professional to continue to be certified, he or she must maintain employment
as a TEMS professional, maintain the approval of the sheriff or chief of police, and meet the LESB’s
annual recertification training standards, including completing a handgun qualification course from
curricula based on model standards established by LESB under prior law, maintained by the act. - 2 -
The act also expands the definition of “law enforcement officer” to include an LESB-certified TEMS
professional for purposes of certain use-of-force statutory standards and related duties to report and
intervene in certain circumstances.
Effective date: March 28, 2024
For a full history of the bill, visit the Legislature’s bill history page.
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