Criminal Justice

AB 677 creates a new criminal offense for "grooming a child for sexual activity," defined as manipulating a child to facilitate sexual abuse. This law directly affects individuals convicted of such grooming behavior, adding it as a punishable offense under Wisconsin statutes like 948.02 (sexual exploitation of a child) and 948.072 (grooming). Key provisions amend multiple laws to include grooming as a disqualifying factor for home placements, licensing for childcare, and reporting requirements, while defining it as a "serious crime" for entities serving minors. The bill does not change existing penalties for actual sexual abuse but establishes grooming itself as a distinct criminal violation with specific legal consequences.

AB 75 (now Wisconsin Act 45) requires the Wisconsin Department of Justice to collect and report criminal case data using an interactive dashboard that excludes personally identifiable information about defendants. The bill amends existing requirements by replacing terms like "charging recommendation" with "arrest charge" and mandates the dashboard be available by January 1, 2026. It directly affects the Department of Justice’s data collection processes and ensures transparency while protecting defendant privacy. The law was enacted after Governor approval on October 31, 2025.