SB 302 creates a performance-based grant program for regional probation and parole offices, rewarding them with funds when they improve employment rates for individuals on probation, parole, or extended supervision compared to a 2021-2024 baseline. The grant amount is calculated by multiplying the region's improvement in employment rates (for all three supervision categories) by the total number of individuals under supervision and $2,500, but only if the improvement is positive and the region did not experience increased revocations for new crimes. Regional offices must use the funds for employee bonuses, and the department will track and report annually on employment outcomes, recidivism, program changes, and potential cost savings from reduced incarceration.
SB 444 requires law enforcement officers to clearly identify themselves during arrests or detentions by verbally stating their role, displaying their surname and badge number with high-contrast visibility, and showing agency insignia in specific sizes. It mandates officers to provide the legal authority for the detention and prohibits face covering except for health/safety reasons or tactical teams. Violating these requirements is a Class D felony, though courts cannot impose jail time. The bill directly affects all officers employed by law enforcement agencies and individuals subject to arrests or detentions.
SB 355 creates a new legal pathway for individuals whose constitutional rights (under U.S. or state law) were violated by government actors acting "under color of law" (e.g., police, officials). It allows affected people to sue for damages, injunctions, or other relief against the violating party, including government entities. The bill specifically requires courts to award reasonable attorney fees to winning plaintiffs and sets a 6-year deadline to file such lawsuits. This directly affects anyone facing rights violations by government officials, providing a clear legal remedy where none existed previously under the cited statutes.
AB 201 modifies Wisconsin law to require sex offender registration for individuals convicted of sexual extortion or certain related offenses. It directs courts to mandate registration under Wisconsin Statute 301.45 if the underlying conduct was "sexually motivated" (as defined in Statute 980.01(5)), including violations of statutes related to sexual extortion (e.g., 942.09, 942.095). The bill affects offenders convicted of sexual extortion or sexually motivated crimes under Chapters 940, 942, 943, 944, or 948. Courts may later release individuals from registration if they meet conditions set by the court. This is a policy change to expand registration requirements for specific sexual offenses, not a new criminal penalty.
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 292 allows courts to use artificial intelligence or machine-assisted translation services instead of or alongside human interpreters in both civil and criminal court proceedings. It also updates rules to permit telephone or live audiovisual interpretation in criminal trials (beyond just non-trial stages) and clarifies that using AI translation does not require a waiver that would normally be needed for alternative interpretation methods. This bill directly affects court proceedings involving language barriers, expanding options for language assistance without mandating AI use. The law amends specific statutes to implement these changes, focusing on procedural flexibility for courts.
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.
AB 629 prohibits operating drones over correctional facilities without authorization from facility leaders (e.g., secretary of corrections or sheriff). It imposes a $5,000 fine for unauthorized drone flights and criminalizes using weaponized drones (equipped with tasers, firearms, etc.) near prisons, classifying it as a Class H felony. The bill grants police officers authority to disable or destroy drones they reasonably believe pose an imminent threat to public safety, including through jamming or hacking, without financial liability for property damage. These provisions directly affect drone operators near prisons, facility staff, and law enforcement agencies, with specific focus on preventing security threats at correctional institutions.
AB 79 prevents the prosecution of minors under 18 for prostitution offenses when a court determines it serves the minor's best interests and protects public safety. Instead, the court may use diversion programs like consent decrees or deferred prosecution agreements under existing laws. The bill amends statutes to remove prosecution as an option for juveniles in these cases while maintaining DNA collection and expungement requirements for other serious juvenile offenses. This change directly affects minors charged with prostitution under section 944.30 (1m) by prioritizing rehabilitation over criminal prosecution.
AB 53 amends Wisconsin law to classify intentionally causing bodily harm or threatening harm to a community service officer (or their family) as a Class H felony under specific conditions. It directly affects community service officers and their families by creating a new felony charge when the harm occurs in response to the officer's official duties. The bill requires that the perpetrator knew the victim was a community service officer (or family member) and that the act was retaliation for an official action taken by the officer. This policy change strengthens criminal penalties for attacks targeting these officers during their work, without altering existing protections for other law enforcement roles.
