Criminal Justice

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 723: Relating to: bathing periods for inmates of state correctional institutions and county jails or houses of correction. (FE)

AB 723 establishes minimum bathing requirements for inmates in state correctional facilities and county jails. It mandates that state facilities provide at least four 15-minute bathing periods weekly, including 10 minutes of heated running water, while county jails must meet the same standard. The bill directly affects all inmates in these facilities by setting concrete, measurable hygiene standards. It requires the state department of corrections and county sheriffs to implement these provisions, with no additional exemptions or cost details specified in the current text.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates minimum bathing standards for inmates in correctional facilities, advancing humane conditions and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of improving inmate welfare and facility standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 740: Relating to: solitary confinement. (FE)

AB 740 limits solitary confinement to a maximum of 10 days per instance and requires a 60-day waiting period between solitary periods for inmates in state prisons and county jails. It mandates that prison and jail staff provide inmates in solitary with specific items (like books, hygiene products, and paper), access to prenatal care for pregnant individuals, three weekly 25-minute video visitation sessions, and at least 15 hours per week of structured programming - including in-person visits from case managers and department staff (like health or education). The bill directly affects all inmates placed in solitary confinement under current rules, ensuring minimum standards for their well-being during confinement. The legislation is pending in the Corrections Committee after being introduced on December 3, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill limits solitary confinement duration (10 days max), mandates rehabilitation services (structured programming, prenatal care), and improves inmate conditions - key criminal justice reform measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 736: Relating to: free menstrual products for inmates of state correctional institutions or county jails or houses of correction. (FE)

AB 736 requires state correctional facilities and county jails to provide free, nontoxic menstrual products to all inmates with active menstrual cycles. It mandates facilities to offer at least three verified brands each of tampons (with plastic applicator), pads, and reusable menstrual cups from a published list of nontoxic products. The bill defines "nontoxic" as free from harmful chemicals and requires facilities to sanitize reusable cups as needed. This directly affects incarcerated people who menstruate, ensuring access to essential hygiene products without cost. The law applies to all state prisons, county jails, and houses of correction in the state.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates humane conditions in correctional facilities by requiring free, nontoxic menstrual products for inmates, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of improving inmate welfare and dignity.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides free nontoxic menstrual products to inmates, improving access to essential health supplies for incarcerated people, a public health measure under healthcare access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 773: Relating to: the treatment of a pregnant or postpartum person in prison or jail. (FE)

AB 773 requires correctional facilities to provide specific care for incarcerated pregnant and postpartum individuals (within 6 weeks of birth). It prohibits unnecessary restraints on these individuals except in extreme safety circumstances, mandating written documentation and staff training. Facilities must offer pregnancy testing, STI/HIV screening, continuing medication, doula/lactation support (if available at no cost), mental health assessments, and breastfeeding supplies. The bill directly affects all pregnant or postpartum people held in state prisons or jails, ensuring access to healthcare and support services during incarceration.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates healthcare, restricts unnecessary restraints for pregnant inmates, advancing humane corrections reform and protecting vulnerable populations within criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates pregnancy testing, STI/HIV screening, mental health assessments, and breastfeeding support in prisons, directly expanding healthcare access for incarcerated pregnant individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health Women's Health

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 809: Relating to: investigation of any pregnancy outcome and civil and criminal liability exemptions relating to pregnancy outcome.

AB 809 prohibits state and local government funding for investigations into pregnancy outcomes (like miscarriage or stillbirth) when treating the person as a crime suspect. It bans law enforcement from investigating individuals as suspects solely due to their own pregnancy outcomes, requiring consent before investigating cases involving others' pregnancy outcomes. The bill exempts women from civil or criminal liability for pregnancy outcomes (including miscarriage, abortion, or stillbirth) and amends statutes to clarify that abortion-related legal protections apply. It directly affects women experiencing pregnancy outcomes, law enforcement agencies, and health services (with limited exceptions for health investigations). The bill creates new legal protections by restricting investigations and eliminating liability for pregnancy-related events.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents criminalizing pregnancy outcomes (miscarriage/stillbirth), banning law enforcement investigations as crimes, reducing unnecessary criminal justice system involvement in medical events.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareThe bill protects patient rights by exempting women from liability for pregnancy outcomes and banning investigations that could deter medical care for miscarriage/stillbirth, supporting healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Women's Health

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 743: Relating to: considering post-traumatic stress disorder as a mitigating factor in sentencing certain criminal offenders. (FE)

AB 743 adds post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosed from military service as a potential mitigating factor in sentencing for veterans convicted of crimes. It specifically applies to veterans (defined as those who served in U.S. armed forces) who have a documented PTSD diagnosis linked to their military service. Courts may now consider this PTSD diagnosis when determining sentences, potentially leading to reduced penalties. The bill takes effect for offenses committed after it becomes law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows PTSD from military service as mitigating factor in sentencing, reducing harsh penalties for veterans and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly recognizes military service-related PTSD as a mitigating factor in veteran sentencing, offering legal protection and acknowledging service impact on criminal cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Veteran Mental Health

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 726: Relating to: Department of Corrections reporting of complaints in state correctional institutions and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 726 requires the Department of Corrections to create an interactive website system that updates complaint data from state correctional facilities every 72 hours. The system must show the total number of annual complaints per facility and display all complaint details broken down by type (without personal information), making it searchable by category. The bill appropriates $70,000 for fiscal year 2025-26 and $30,000 for 2026-27 to establish and operate this reporting system. This directly affects state correctional institutions by mandating transparent, real-time public reporting of inmate and staff complaints.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $100k for correctional complaint system, directly funding a state budget allocation under appropriations.80% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires public complaint data transparency in corrections, enhancing oversight and accountability in criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Corrections

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 742: Relating to: inmate access to transparent windows and making an appropriation. (FE)

SB 742 requires all state correctional institutions and county jails to install transparent windows in inmate cells by October 2030. These windows must be at least 1.5 square feet and provide a clear view (92% visibility) of the outdoors. The bill also mandates that inmates have access to view outdoors through such windows for at least 3 hours daily, unless in lockdown or solitary confinement, with specific alternatives if cell windows are unavailable. The legislation appropriates $3.5 million ($500,000 for 2025-26 and $3 million for 2026-27) to cover window installation costs in state facilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $3.5M for correctional facility window installations, directly funding a state service under government spending.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires transparent windows in correctional facilities to improve inmate well-being and outdoor access, aligning with rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Corrections

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 728: Relating to: access to prisons and jails for oversight purposes. (FE)

AB 728 creates a new statute (302.47) requiring immediate access (less than 24 hours' notice) for specific oversight personnel to visit correctional facilities. It directly affects state legislators on relevant committees and county employees overseeing jail operations, granting them access to residential areas, cells, dining areas, and prisoner discussions. Facilities may deny immediate access only between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. (with daytime access within 72 hours) or if the requester has exceeded 12 annual visits. The bill aims to enhance transparency by enabling regular oversight visits without unnecessary delays.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables immediate oversight access to correctional facilities, enhancing transparency and accountability in criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 731: Relating to: telecommunications service access by inmates and juveniles and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 731 requires state and county correctional facilities to provide inmates and juveniles with minimum weekly telecommunications access at no cost, including 180 minutes of phone calls, 60 minutes of video calls, and 100 text messages. It directly affects individuals in state prisons, juvenile correctional facilities, and county jails by mandating these service levels, which must be maintained or improved from existing access levels. The bill establishes funding through specific appropriations ($4.46 million for adult inmates, $517,500 for juveniles) and requires counties to join a state telecommunications contract or report why they don’t, with the state reimbursing counties for costs if they opt out. It also prohibits using telecom services to replace in-person visitation and bans charging inmates for services beyond the minimums.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates free telecom access for inmates/juveniles to support rehabilitation and reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates minimum telecommunications access (including video calls/texts) for inmates, expanding digital communication access and promoting digital equity for vulnerable populations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Juvenile Justice Telecommunications

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