Wisconsin Passes Pro Franchisee Bill

Wisconsin is the latest state to push back against the overreaching National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) by passing a new law that affirms franchisor and franchisee employees are separate entities. Senate Bill 422 was just signed last week by Governor Scott Walker and applies to state enforcement agencies.

SB 422, which excludes a franchisor as the employer of a franchisee or of an employee of a franchisee for purposes of certain laws relating to employment, was signed in the wake of a decision by the NLRB to change 50 years of federal labor law and legal precedent.

Wisconsin is the latest state to enact legislation that provides clarity to the small business community. Nearly a dozen states have passed or are considering actions to protect local franchises against federal government overreach. More states are standing up to federal bureaucrats in Washington who are trying to alter the long-standing joint employer standard for all franchise small businesses.

"We are proud to be business owners in Wisconsin," say Jeff Tews and Susan Rathers, owners of BrightStar Care facilities across Wisconsin. "The franchise model has allowed us to be able to do what we love and help countless numbers of people along the way. We appreciate that the Wisconsin legislature understands the importance of franchising and passed a bill which allows us to continue to make a difference in our communities."