SB 598 would require the state health department to seek a federal Medicaid waiver enabling coverage for incarcerated individuals in the Medical Assistance program (state Medicaid) up to 90 days before release. It specifically covers case management, medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders, and a 30-day supply of prescription medications for those already eligible for Medical Assistance. If approved, the federal government would fund the program’s share of these services, with the state covering its portion. This bill directly affects incarcerated individuals transitioning to community care, aiming to improve continuity of health services upon release.
AB 278 creates a grant program for law enforcement agencies to purchase data-sharing platforms that integrate real-time data from multiple systems, eliminate duplicate records, and provide secure, customizable search and analytics tools. The bill specifies that platforms must meet 11 detailed requirements, including secure access controls, compatibility with existing systems, compliance with data security standards, and retention of agency data ownership. The Department of Justice will award grants using up to $2 million annually from state funds to support this initiative. This bill directly affects local and state law enforcement agencies seeking to upgrade their data-sharing capabilities.
SB 17 amends Wisconsin law to make intentionally causing physical injury or threatening injury to a community service officer (or their family) a Class H felony under specific conditions. It directly affects community service officers by expanding protections to include them alongside judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers. The key provisions require that the perpetrator knew the victim's status as an officer or family member and that the act was in response to the officer's official duties. This bill creates a clearer legal standard for prosecuting threats or violence against community service officers during their work. The measure is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
SB 330 extends the waiting period for handgun purchases from 48 hours to a maximum of 5 working days when a background check reveals uncertainty about a buyer's eligibility under state or federal law. It requires the Department of Justice to complete its verification within this 5-day window and notify the firearms dealer of the results. This change directly affects handgun buyers whose background checks initially show unclear eligibility and firearms dealers who must wait for the department's final determination. The bill modifies existing statutes to clarify the timeline for resolving ambiguous background check results.
AB 444 prohibits state agencies, local governments, and county sheriffs from using public facilities (including jails) to detain people solely based on immigration status. It also bans state or local funding for immigrant detention facilities. The bill directly affects all state and local entities that operate facilities or manage public funds, preventing them from participating in immigration enforcement through detention or financial support. The law creates a clear legal barrier to state involvement in immigration detention systems, effective upon enactment.
SB 278 prevents the automatic expiration (sunset) of Wisconsin's Community-Oriented Policing-House Grant Program by changing its funding mechanism. The bill amends state law to establish the program as a "continuing appropriation" that receives biennial funding without requiring annual legislative action to renew it. This change directly affects local law enforcement agencies and community organizations that receive these grants to fund policing initiatives focused on community engagement. The policy shift ensures stable, ongoing funding for the program starting July 1, 2025, rather than requiring renewal each biennium. The bill was enacted as 2025 Wisconsin Act 27 and signed into law on August 11, 2025.
SB 95 changes voting rights restoration rules for people with felony convictions by requiring full payment of all financial obligations - including restitution, fines, costs, and fees - before voting rights are restored. For human trafficking convictions (specifically under sections 940.302(2) or 948.051), courts must order immediate restitution payments, with enforcement options like property execution if unpaid. This affects individuals barred from voting due to felony convictions who have completed sentences but still owe financial penalties. The bill updates two statutes to ensure voting rights restoration is tied directly to resolving all court-ordered financial responsibilities.
AB 236 ensures sexual assault victims who provide a forensic kit receive clear, timely updates about their case. It requires law enforcement to notify victims about kit testing timelines, DNA analysis results, and the kit's destruction date upon request. Victims also get updates if their case status changes (e.g., closed or reopened). The bill directly affects individuals who submit sexual assault kits, improving transparency in how their evidence is handled. It does not change criminal penalties or create new programs, but mandates specific communication protocols for law enforcement.
Assembly Bill 84 establishes a new "prostitution crime surcharge" for individuals convicted of or placed on probation for certain prostitution-related offenses. If passed, courts would be required to impose a $5,000 surcharge in these cases. Funds collected from this surcharge would be divided equally: half would support treatment and services for sex-trafficking victims, and the other half would fund criminal investigative operations and law enforcement efforts against Internet crimes against children.
AB 229 repeals Section 164.05 of the statutes, which previously outlined specific protections for law enforcement officers under the "law enforcement officers’ bill of rights." This procedural bill directly affects law enforcement officers by removing an existing statutory provision governing their rights. The bill contains no new provisions or mechanisms - its sole action is the repeal of the referenced section. No additional policy changes or impacts are specified in the bill text.
