Wisconsin Bills

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 9, 2026

AB 923: Relating to: creating a civil cause of action for sexual extortion.

AB 923 creates a civil legal pathway for victims of sexual extortion (defined under statute 942.095) to sue for physical injury, emotional distress, or property loss. It allows victims, their parents/guardians (if minors), or estate representatives (in cases involving suicide linked to the extortion) to file lawsuits regardless of any criminal case outcome. The bill includes strong privacy protections, permitting plaintiffs to use initials instead of full names in court documents and allowing courts to issue orders shielding victims from public disclosure or unnecessary examinations. If successful, plaintiffs can recover damages for emotional distress, punitive damages, attorney fees, and other litigation costs.

Barbara Dittrich (R) Dan Knodl (R) Dave Murphy (R) Clint Moses (R) Rick Gundrum (R)

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 9, 2026

AB 966: Relating to: requiring the Department of Justice to conduct a public awareness campaign. (FE)

AB 966 requires the Department of Justice to create and run a public awareness campaign focused on children's online safety. The campaign must use digital platforms (like the department’s website and social media) and print materials to educate families about internet risks and prevention steps for children. It specifically mandates that the Department provide free educational materials to schools (as defined in statute 118.257(1)(d)) upon request. The bill directly affects children and schools by promoting accessible resources to help prevent exposure to harmful online content.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Technology

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 9, 2026

AB 957: Relating to: Internet crimes against children law enforcement and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 957 increases funding by $400,000 for each of the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years to support internet crimes against children law enforcement within the Department of Justice. This is a budget adjustment that directly affects the Department of Justice's resources for investigating and prosecuting online crimes targeting minors. The bill does not create new laws or change existing legal standards - it solely allocates additional state funds for enforcement efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 9, 2026

AB 958: Relating to: position authorizations for Internet crimes against children law enforcement. (FE)

AB 958 authorizes the Department of Justice to add three new positions specifically for its Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit: two criminal analyst roles, one outreach specialist, and one digital evidence examiner. These positions are funded through existing appropriations under section 20.455(2)(a). The bill directly affects the ICAC unit’s staffing capacity to investigate and respond to online crimes involving children. It does not create new laws or policies but adjusts personnel authorizations to support existing law enforcement efforts. The bill was introduced in the 2026 Legislature and referred to the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

signed · Wisconsin · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 884: Relating to: an audiovisual recording of a child’s statement admitted as evidence.

SB 884 modifies Wisconsin law to allow audiovisual recordings of children's statements to be admitted as evidence in court for children aged 12 to 18 (previously 12 to 16). The bill requires courts to consider specific factors - such as the child's maturity and whether the recording was made appropriately - before admitting such evidence. It directly affects child witnesses in legal cases, particularly in matters like abuse or neglect where their statements might be recorded. The key change raises the upper age limit for this evidence rule from 16 to 18 years old. The bill does not alter the requirement that recordings must be made before the child's 18th birthday.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 9, 2026

AB 968: Relating to: virtual currency kiosks.

AB 968 would require virtual currency kiosks (machines exchanging cash for digital currency or vice versa) to obtain state licenses, display mandatory fraud warnings, and verify customer identities using government ID and photos. It sets a $500 daily transaction limit, caps fees at 3% or $5 per transaction, and mandates detailed receipts showing all transaction details. The bill directly affects kiosk operators and customers, aiming to prevent fraud through identity checks and clear transaction records. Currently under review in the Financial Institutions committee.

Topics ✓ Technology

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 9, 2026

AB 964: Relating to: Internet crimes against children administrative subpoenas for the crime of sexual extortion when the crime victim is a child. (FE)

AB 964 clarifies that online sexual extortion targeting children falls under existing law by specifying it as a violation of Section 942.095 when the victim is a child (as defined in Section 948.01). This bill directly affects law enforcement agencies investigating internet crimes against children, enabling them to issue administrative subpoenas to internet companies for relevant data without a court order. The key provision streamlines the process for obtaining evidence from online platforms in cases where children are victims of sexual extortion. It does not create new penalties but ensures these cases are explicitly covered under current statutes for investigative efficiency.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 9, 2026

AB 969: Relating to: the drug repository program.

AB 969 creates a formal drug donation program to redistribute unused medications to eligible patients. It defines key terms like "donor" (including pharmacies, hospitals, and individuals), "eligible patient" (indigent, uninsured, or underinsured individuals), and "recipient" (medical facilities or pharmacies that can receive donations). The bill allows donors to contribute drugs to participating facilities, with recipients permitted to charge a handling fee covering actual costs (e.g., storage, shipping), while prohibiting donations of certain FDA-regulated drugs requiring patient enrollment. This program aims to provide access to medications for underserved patients through a structured, safe, and cost-transparent system.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Wisconsin · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 782: Relating to: intentionally sending false text messages to 911 and providing a penalty.

SB 782 amends Wisconsin statute 256.35(10)(a) to penalize intentionally sending false text messages to 911 reporting a non-existent emergency. It imposes fines of $100-$600 or up to 90 days in jail for a first offense, and classifies subsequent offenses within four years as a Class H felony. The law directly affects individuals who deliberately mislead emergency services via text, such as falsely reporting crimes or medical crises. Key provisions clarify that the penalty applies specifically when the sender knows the reported emergency is fabricated. This bill creates concrete legal consequences for misuse of 911 text services, aiming to deter non-emergency false reports.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 9, 2026

AB 759: Relating to: eligibility to receive occupational credentials for recipients of deferred action under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. (FE)

AB 759 allows individuals with deferred action under the federal DACA program to obtain state occupational licenses (like nursing or cosmetology credentials) if they have valid federal work permits. It requires state licensing agencies to verify DACA recipients' federal work authorization through official systems before issuing licenses. Licenses issued under this law expire when the federal work permit expires, and recipients must renew both simultaneously. The bill explicitly states it does not grant eligibility for public benefits beyond occupational credentials.

Topics ✓ Immigration ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Wisconsin · Assembly Apr 9, 2026

AB 98: Relating to: pupils wearing traditional tribal regalia at a graduation ceremony or school-sponsored event.

AB 98 creates a new law that prevents school boards and charter schools from prohibiting eligible pupils from wearing traditional tribal regalia at graduation ceremonies or school-sponsored events. This bill directly affects students who are members, descendants of members, or eligible to be enrolled in a federally recognized American Indian tribe. "Traditional tribal regalia" is defined to include a tribe's traditional dress or recognized objects of religious or cultural significance, such as tribal symbols, beads, and feathers.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Wisconsin · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 134: Relating to: alternative open enrollment application procedures for residency change based on military orders.

SB 134 extends the deadline for military-connected families to apply for school enrollment after a residency change due to military orders. It changes the requirement from a 30-day window to 90 days after receiving military orders, including orders from the National Guard, Reserve, or state defense forces. This directly affects service members and their dependents seeking to enroll children in public schools following a permanent relocation. The bill modifies existing statute 118.51(3m)(b)4 to provide more time for applications, ensuring families have sufficient opportunity to complete enrollment processes after a military assignment.

Topics ✓ Education

Bill results