Criminal Justice (Probation & Parole)

AB 604 would require Wisconsin's Department of Health Services to request a federal Medicaid waiver to provide pre-release medical coverage for incarcerated individuals eligible for Medicaid. It specifically covers case management, medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders, and a 30-day supply of prescription medications for up to 90 days before release. This bill directly affects incarcerated people who qualify for Medicaid, aiming to improve continuity of care upon reentry. The waiver request must be submitted by January 1, 2027, to allow state and federal reimbursement for these services. The bill focuses on concrete policy changes to expand healthcare access during a critical transition period.

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.

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.

SB 620 requires sex offenders on parole or extended supervision who cannot provide an address to notify the department within 24 hours of becoming unable to do so. It also mandates that the department use location tracking technology (passive positioning systems) for these individuals if they fail to provide an address as required under existing registration rules. The bill directly affects sex offenders subject to registration who lose the ability to provide a stable address. Key mechanisms include the 24-hour notification deadline and automatic departmental implementation of tracking when address information is unavailable. The policy change ensures continuous monitoring of this specific group to maintain public safety oversight.

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.