On June 8, 2026, Wisconsin Governor Mike Johnson signed into law a bill that aims to provide greater protections for service members in the state's military community. The new legislation, known as the Military Law Protections Act, is designed to address issues such as employment discrimination, housing rights, and access to legal services for active duty military members and veterans.One of the key provisions of the bill is the establishment of a Military Law Protections Office within the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs. This office will serve as a resource for service members seeking assistance with legal matters related to their military service, including resolving disputes with landlords or employers who violate their rights under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).In addition, the bill includes measures to strengthen housing protections for service members. Landlords will be prohibited from discriminating against tenants based on their military status, and service members will have the right to break a lease without penalty if they receive orders for a permanent change of station or deployment lasting more than 90 days.Governor Johnson praised the new law as a step forward in ensuring that service members and veterans are treated fairly and have access to the resources they need to protect their rights. "Our military members sacrifice so much to protect our country, and it is our duty to ensure that they are supported both on and off the battlefield," he said in a statement.The Military Law Protections Act has received bipartisan support in the Wisconsin legislature, with lawmakers from both parties hailing it as a crucial step in advancing the rights of service members. The bill is set to go into effect on January 1, 2027, and the Military Law Protections Office is expected to begin offering assistance to military members and veterans in the state shortly thereafter.