Criminal Justice (Firearms)

AB 319 creates a new grant program to fund law enforcement training on extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), allocating $700,000 annually for this purpose. It expands background check requirements for firearm purchases to include checks for temporary restraining orders or injunctions under Section 813.124. The bill amends statutes to clarify how courts and law enforcement must verify firearm prohibitions, including checking for ERPO-related orders during background checks. These changes directly affect law enforcement agencies, courts, and individuals seeking to purchase firearms in Wisconsin.

SB 5 amends Wisconsin statutes to improve background check procedures for certain jobs involving vulnerable populations. It requires agencies (like child welfare or healthcare providers) to verify the final disposition of any serious crime charge - specifically including battery or threat offenses under sections 940.20 and 940.202 - when background checks show a potential conviction within the last five years. If records are incomplete, agencies must contact courts to obtain criminal complaint and conviction details. This affects background checks for roles in childcare, healthcare, and other regulated fields, ensuring more accurate criminal history assessments. The bill does not create new penalties but refines verification processes for existing offenses.