Criminal Justice

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 634: Relating to: release of audio and video footage following officer-involved deaths or other critical incidents involving a law enforcement officer. (FE)

AB 634 requires law enforcement agencies to publicly release bodycam, vehicle camera, and relevant audio/video footage within 15 days of specific incidents, including officer-involved deaths, critical incidents (like great bodily harm or death in custody), or firearm discharges by officers. This applies to footage showing actions leading to the incident, though agencies may redact sensitive information like victim identities, medical details, or confidential investigative strategies under defined exemptions. Affected parties, such as identified officers, victims, or families, must be notified 48 hours before release to review the footage. The bill aims to increase transparency while balancing privacy and investigative needs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates public release of bodycam footage after officer incidents, enhancing transparency and accountability in law enforcement, a key criminal justice reform indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Policing

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signed · Wisconsin · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 533: Relating to: intentionally disarming a correctional officer and providing a penalty.

SB 533 defines "equipment" for correctional officers to include tools used for communication, seeking help, or accessing locked areas, alongside items designed to cause harm or restraint. The bill amends penalties for intentionally disarming an officer or removing their issued equipment. It directly affects correctional officers and individuals who interfere with their authorized tools, making such actions a punishable offense under existing law. The legislation clarifies what constitutes prohibited interference with an officer's duties-related equipment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens penalties for disarming correctional officers, protecting personnel safety in corrections (directly supports correctional system integrity).85% confidence

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 679: Relating to: prohibiting a law enforcement agency from accessing personal data in exchange for payment without a warrant.

SB 679 prohibits law enforcement agencies from obtaining personal data from third parties (like tech companies or data brokers) in exchange for payment without a court warrant. It covers data such as location history, health records, financial details, browsing habits, and biometric information. Exceptions allow access if police have a warrant, face an emergency involving immediate danger, the data is publicly available, or the individual consented. This directly affects how police can legally acquire personal information from private entities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires warrants for law enforcement data access, protecting civil rights and enhancing police accountability per criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits warrantless law enforcement access to personal data from tech companies, strengthening data privacy protections as defined in the topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Policing Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Tags Privacy

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 370: Relating to: crime victim notification cards. (FE)

AB 370 creates standardized crime victim notification cards to help victims stay informed about court proceedings involving offenders. The bill directs the Director of State Courts to design these free cards, which victims can fill out with their contact information and details about the inmate or probationer. County courts and victim-witness offices must provide the cards to victims, who can then send completed cards to the relevant court to receive updates. The bill also protects victims' mailing addresses in court records from public inspection under state law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates standardized victim notification cards to ensure victims receive court updates, enhancing victim services within the criminal justice system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Victims' Rights

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 34: Relating to: court-issued criminal complaints in officer-involved deaths.

AB 34 prevents courts from allowing criminal complaints against law enforcement officers in officer-involved deaths when a district attorney has already determined there is no basis for prosecution. The bill requires that courts and judges cannot issue complaints unless "new or unused evidence" is presented, effectively barring judicial override of a district attorney's initial decision. This directly affects law enforcement officers involved in such deaths and the legal process for pursuing criminal charges against them. The law applies to cases defined under statute 175.47 (1) (c), limiting judicial action based on a district attorney's prior assessment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts judicial review of DA decisions in officer-involved deaths, weakening oversight of law enforcement by preventing court override without new evidence.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 555: Relating to: intentionally disarming a correctional officer and providing a penalty.

AB 555 creates a new Class H felony charge for intentionally disarming correctional officers while they are on duty. It specifically targets individuals who take dangerous weapons, devices (as defined in §941.26), or official duty items like radios, keys, or other tools from correctional officers without consent. The law applies when these items are being carried by the officer or within their immediate presence. This bill directly affects correctional officers working in state facilities and establishes criminal penalties for interference with their safety equipment during official duties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new felony to protect correctional officers, strengthening law enforcement safety within criminal justice system.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects correctional officers' workplace safety by criminalizing disarming them on duty, directly strengthening safety standards for this workforce.90% confidence

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 609: Relating to: right to carry a weapon in this state, licenses to carry a concealed weapon, and providing a penalty. (FE)

AB 609 modifies firearm regulations in the state by reducing the restricted distance near schools and hospitals from 1,700 to 1,200 feet for hunting. It removes restrictions on loading firearms in vehicles and discharging weapons within 50 feet of roadways for certain individuals. The bill clarifies that law enforcement officers, qualified out-of-state officers, and former officers are exempt from specific firearm restrictions while acting in their official duties. These changes primarily affect law enforcement personnel and their operational procedures, not general public carry rights. The bill does not create new carry permits or alter concealed weapon licensing requirements.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeReduces firearm restrictions near schools/hospitals, removes vehicle loading limits, and expands weapon discharge allowances, weakening public safety regulations in criminal justice.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 93: Relating to: recommendation to revoke extended supervision, parole, or probation if a person is charged with a crime. (FE)

SB 93 requires state departments to recommend revoking extended supervision, parole, or probation when a person under those programs is charged with a crime. It directly affects individuals supervised by the department after release from incarceration. The bill mandates this recommendation as a standard step in the process, without altering the existing revocation procedures or hearing requirements. The change applies to criminal charges filed on or after the bill's effective date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates automatic revocation recommendation upon new criminal charges, increasing incarceration risk without rehabilitation focus or due process enhancements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 576: Relating to: limiting the use of automatic registration plate readers, requiring a search warrant for data from an automatic registration plate reader or security camera, and providing a penalty.

AB 576 limits most uses of automatic license plate readers (ALPRs), allowing them only for parking enforcement, secured private areas with restricted access, or weigh stations. It requires law enforcement to obtain a warrant before accessing ALPR or private security camera data, with exceptions only during emergencies involving immediate danger. The bill also restricts data retention to 90 days and imposes fines up to $10,000 for violations of these rules.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires warrants for ALPR data access, limits retention, and imposes fines - enhancing privacy protections and police accountability in law enforcement data use.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRestricts ALPR surveillance with warrant requirements and data limits, enhancing data privacy protections under technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 92: Relating to: theft crimes and providing a penalty. (FE)

SB 92 increases penalties for repeat theft offenses by creating new sentencing provisions. It allows prosecutors to charge and convict individuals with a Class I felony for certain misdemeanors if they have prior convictions for specific theft crimes under sections 943.20(3)(a)-(cm) or 943.50(4)(a)-(c). Similarly, it elevates felony charges to a higher classification when prior theft convictions exist. The bill applies to offenses committed on its effective date but permits counting prior convictions toward sentencing. It directly affects repeat offenders of specified theft offenses by imposing harsher penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for repeat theft offenses by elevating misdemeanor charges to Class I felonies and expanding criminalization, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of harsher sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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