AB 57 prohibits state and local officials, including law enforcement, from aiding in the detention of individuals solely because they are or are alleged to be not lawfully present in the U.S. The bill specifically bans assistance in facilities like schools, hospitals, places of worship, or childcare centers. It also prohibits using state funds for such detentions and exempts actions required by a valid judicial warrant. The law directly affects state agencies, local governments, and their employees who operate these facilities.
SB 15 modifies penalty rules for crimes against vulnerable adults by distinguishing between "elder persons" (typically age 60+) and "adults at risk" (vulnerable due to disability or other factors). For elder victims, it eliminates the defense that a defendant didn’t know the victim’s age, automatically applying enhanced penalties. For "adults at risk," penalties only increase if the defendant actually knew the victim’s vulnerable status. The bill applies to crimes like assault, financial exploitation, and sexual assault, changing how courts assess penalties based on victim classification. It does not create new penalties but adjusts existing sentencing rules for these specific victim categories.
Senate Bill 80 provides statutory recognition for specialized treatment courts and commercial court dockets within the state court system. For treatment courts, the bill formally acknowledges various types, such as drug, mental health, and veterans courts, which aim to address underlying issues related to criminal behavior through treatment and multidisciplinary teams to reduce recidivism. For commercial courts, it establishes a framework for handling complex business cases. The bill mandates that certain types of disputes involving business organizations be assigned to these dockets, with specific circuit court judges selected to preside over them.
SB 303 creates a grant program to fund technical colleges in developing detailed digital maps of their campus buildings for law enforcement use. These maps must include specific location details like room numbers, floors, and building layouts to help first responders during emergencies, and must work with existing public safety technology without requiring additional software purchases. The Office of School Safety will administer the grants, accepting applications from technical college leaders working with local law enforcement. The bill also requires an annual report tracking grant funding and how the maps are used.
AB 510 prevents law enforcement or medical providers from using statements about prostitution as evidence in court if a person contacts them to report another crime (like theft or assault) or seek medical care. It applies directly to individuals seeking help for non-prostitution issues, including those reporting on behalf of others. The bill prohibits using any prostitution-related statements obtained during these unrelated contacts in prosecution for prostitution or attempted prostitution. This policy change ensures that people accessing emergency services or reporting other crimes cannot face additional charges based on their initial contact. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee after its October 2025 introduction.
SB 538 prevents law enforcement from using statements about prostitution as evidence in prosecution if those statements were gathered while someone sought medical care or reported another crime (not prostitution). It protects individuals who contact police, medical providers, or emergency services for reasons unrelated to prostitution, as well as those reporting crimes or seeking care on behalf of others. The bill creates a clear rule that statements obtained during these unrelated interactions cannot be used to prosecute a person for prostitution. This change directly affects people interacting with authorities for medical or non-prostitution-related crime reporting, ensuring such statements remain inadmissible in prostitution cases.
AB 259 creates a new misdemeanor offense for entering or remaining on a campground without permission from the operator. It directly affects visitors who enter or stay on licensed campground property without consent. The law allows campground operators to issue written requests for individuals to leave, and failing to comply results in fines up to $100 or up to 30 days in jail. This bill specifically applies to campgrounds and camping resorts licensed under state law, clarifying that standard trespass laws do not cover campground occupants or guests.
AJR 94 is a symbolic resolution that would officially recognize January as "Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month" across Wisconsin. It directly affects all Wisconsin residents by designating a specific month for statewide awareness efforts focused on human trafficking. The resolution has no binding legal requirements but serves as a formal declaration to encourage educational events, community outreach, and resource sharing related to human trafficking prevention during January. It does not create new laws or allocate funding.
AB 73 creates a new statute (Chapter 798) to formally recognize two types of specialized court programs in Wisconsin: treatment courts and commercial courts. Treatment courts (e.g., drug, mental health, veterans courts) address underlying issues like addiction to reduce recidivism through treatment and supervision, while commercial courts handle business disputes more efficiently. The bill establishes these dockets within the existing court system, requiring judges to receive specialized training and operate using graduated sanctions and rewards. It directly affects courts handling these case types, aiming to improve outcomes for participants and streamline dispute resolution.
AB 116 creates a new reimbursement program for county governments to cover transportation costs when moving minors into emergency detention for safety reasons. It directly affects counties handling youth detention, minors receiving medical assistance, and third-party transportation providers (like ambulances or contracted vendors) who transport minors. The bill requires counties to use the least restrictive transportation method possible (like non-law enforcement vendors when feasible) and establishes that state reimbursement through the Medical Assistance program will only occur if federal approval is secured. This is a procedural change to clarify funding mechanisms, not a policy shift on detention standards.
