Gov. Walker signs 2 more bills to combat opioid abuse

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Scott Walker has signed two more bills designed to fight opioid abuse.

The governor signed the bills Monday in Green Bay.

The first bill lays out $1.5 million to treat jail inmates. The measure also directs state officials to administer $500,000 in federal grants for anti-abuse programs and establishes $1 million in grants to help fund drug investigations.

The second bill requires social workers and therapists to be knowledgeable about addiction treatment and provides the University of Wisconsin System with $250,000 annually to increase the number of graduate students studying to be mental health nurse practitioners and provide fellowships for psychiatric nursing students to work in rural settings.

Walker's office says he has now signed 30 bills addressing opioid abuse.

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The bills are AB 906 and AB 907.