Criminal Justice

vetoed · Wisconsin · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 146: Relating to: prohibiting persons who have been convicted of a violent crime from changing their name and providing a penalty.

SB 146 prohibits individuals convicted of a violent felony from legally changing their name. It amends existing law to clarify that the prohibition applies specifically to violent crimes classified as felonies, not all violent offenses. This directly affects people with violent felony convictions who seek to change their legal name. The bill establishes a clear legal barrier to name changes for this group, with penalties for violations.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeProhibits name change for violent felony convicts, restricting a legal right and creating a barrier per bill language, aligning with 'restrict' indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 331: Relating to: establishing a civil cause of action for civil rights violations.

AB 331 creates a new legal right for individuals who believe their constitutional rights (such as due process or equal protection) were violated by government officials acting under color of law, including police or state employees. It allows victims to sue for damages, court orders to stop violations, and court-ordered attorney fees. The law sets a 6-year deadline to file such lawsuits and applies to both federal and state civil rights violations. It does not apply to cases already covered by existing statutes like 893.80 or 893.82.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates civil remedy for police/civil rights violations, enhancing accountability and aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts Policing Tags Civil Liberties

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 372: Relating to: crime victim notification cards. (FE)

SB 372 creates standardized crime victim notification cards to help victims of crime stay informed about court proceedings involving offenders. The bill requires the director of state courts to design these cards, which victims can complete with their contact information and the offender's details, and send to the relevant court clerk. County courts and victim/witness offices must provide these cards at no cost to victims, and the law protects victim mailing addresses from public inspection under state law. This directly affects crime victims in Wisconsin who need to receive updates about offender sentencing or probation modifications.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates standardized victim notification cards to enhance victim engagement in court proceedings and protect victim privacy, aligning with victim rights protections in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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signed · Wisconsin · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 575: Relating to: sexual assault forensic examination compensation.

SB 575 clarifies which medical costs related to sexual assault forensic exams are covered by state compensation. It defines "examination costs" to include medical tests, HIV prevention medication (prophylaxis), and STI treatment provided during the exam process if related to the assault. The bill explicitly excludes administrative fees, attorney costs, or unrelated medical expenses from coverage. This directly affects sexual assault victims seeking reimbursement for specific, exam-related medical care under the state's compensation program.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill ensures sexual assault victims receive compensation for forensic exam-related medical costs (HIV prophylaxis, STI treatment), directly supporting victim care within criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies state compensation for assault-related medical costs including HIV prophylaxis and STI treatment, expanding healthcare coverage for victims.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 380: Relating to: eliminating criminal defenses of adequate provocation, self-defense, or not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect if the claim is based on the victim’s gender identity or sexual orientation.

SB 380 eliminates three specific criminal defenses (adequate provocation, self-defense, and not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect) when a defendant claims the defense was based on the victim’s actual or perceived gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. Key provisions explicitly bar these defenses in cases involving romantic advances without force, past relationships, or disclosures of the victim’s identity. The bill directly affects criminal defendants who attempt to justify violence using prejudice against LGBTQ+ identities as a legal argument. It applies to offenses committed on or after the bill’s effective date, removing these defenses from Wisconsin’s criminal code without altering the underlying crimes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEliminates bias-based defenses (gender identity/sexual orientation) in criminal cases, advancing civil rights protections within criminal justice reform.95% confidence

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 361: Relating to: eliminating criminal defenses of adequate provocation, self-defense, or not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect if the claim is based on the victim’s gender identity or sexual orientation.

AB 361 eliminates specific criminal defenses in cases where a defendant claims they acted due to the victim's gender identity or sexual orientation. The bill amends statutes to prevent defendants from using "adequate provocation," "self-defense," or "not guilty by reason of mental disease" as justifications if the claim relates to the victim's actual or perceived gender identity, expression, or sexual orientation. This specifically blocks defenses in situations like when the victim made a romantic advance without force or when the defendant and victim dated. The law applies to offenses committed on its effective date and directly affects defendants in criminal cases involving these specific circumstances.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEliminates discriminatory defenses (self-defense/provocation) based on victim's gender identity/sexual orientation, protecting LGBTQ+ victims and advancing civil rights in criminal justice.95% confidence

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 297: Relating to: performance grants based on improving employment rates for individuals on probation, parole, or extended supervision. (FE)

AB 297 creates performance grants for regional probation and parole offices based on improving employment rates for individuals on supervision (probation, parole, or extended supervision). Offices earn grants by increasing employment rates above a 2021-2024 baseline, with "eligible employment" defined as 130+ wage-earning hours monthly. Funds must be used for employee bonuses, and the department tracks outcomes like employment duration, recidivism rates, and cost savings tied to reduced incarceration. Offices are disqualified from grants if their region saw increased revocations for new crimes in the prior year. Annual reports will detail regional employment trends and program impacts for public transparency.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds for performance grants tied to employment outcomes, promoting fiscal responsibility through cost savings from reduced recidivism and incarceration.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeTies performance grants to employment rates for supervised individuals, tracks recidivism reduction, and funds rehabilitation-focused outcomes per criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Corrections Probation & Parole

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 318: Relating to: small law enforcement agency grant pilot program. (FE)

SB 318 creates a temporary pilot program to provide training grants to small law enforcement agencies (those employing 25 or fewer full-time equivalent officers). Agencies qualify if they face imminent retirements, have 20%+ vacancies, or need to train new officers. Grants cover preparatory training for future officers and up to six months of on-the-job training costs for new recruits. Recipients must commit to working at the agency for one year after training, with repayment required if they leave early; the program ends 18 months after all funds are distributed.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds for law enforcement training grants, increasing targeted government spending on public safety programs.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds training for small law enforcement agencies to address staffing vacancies, directly supporting law enforcement operations within criminal justice system.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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passed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 514: Relating to: authorizing additional circuit court and criminal justice system positions. (FE)

AB 514 authorizes new circuit court branches and additional judicial staff in Kenosha, Brown, and Menominee/Shawano counties to address growing caseloads. Specifically, it adds a ninth branch in Kenosha County (effective August 2028), a ninth branch in Brown County (effective August 2027) and a tenth branch (effective August 2028), and a third branch in Menominee/Shawano Counties (effective August 2027). The bill also authorizes new circuit judge and court reporter positions for these branches, plus 30.5 additional assistant district attorney positions across 24 counties. These changes are funded through existing state court appropriations and will take effect on the specified dates.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes new court branches/staff to address caseloads, directly funding and strengthening court operations within criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 222: Relating to: extortion, sexual extortion, and providing a penalty.

SB 222 increases penalties for extortion and sexual extortion by making it a Class B felony if the crime directly causes the victim's death. It also expands victim compensation, allowing family members or household members of victims of specific violent crimes (including certain sexual offenses) to claim economic losses from the victim's death. The bill modifies existing statutes to clarify eligibility for these compensation awards, which cover losses like funeral costs or lost wages. These changes directly affect victims of extortion-related deaths and their families seeking financial support.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for extortion crimes, an indicator of 'oppose' per guidelines (increases mandatory sentences).92% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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